Numbers 14:20-35

The Voice

Eternal One: ²⁰I have pardoned them as you’ve asked Me to do. ²¹But as I live, the earth will be filled with My brilliant glory; ^22-23this particular generation will never get to enjoy the land I promised to their ancestors so long ago. Although they witnessed My glory and signs firsthand, and the amazing feats I accomplished on their behalf in Egypt and on this desert sojourn, they tested Me over and over again, even 10 times, and even directly disobeyed. None of the people who have turned their backs on Me will ever see the land. ²⁴For Caleb, though, it’s a different matter. He’s distinct from the others by having a different spirit and has followed My lead wholeheartedly. I will make sure that he is able to enter the land and to live in it—he and his descendants after him.

²⁵Now, to avoid the Amalekites and Canaanites who presently inhabit the valleys, turn around tomorrow, and make for the desert by way of the Red Sea.^[a]

²⁶The Eternal One reiterated to Moses and Aaron,

Eternal One: ²⁷How many times will these bad people grumble against Me and My choices? It seems that all I hear is Israelites complaining, complaining, complaining! ²⁸So tell them I say, “As I live, I will make sure that what you’re complaining about really does happen— ²⁹you’ll die out here in the desert, every single one of you old enough to have been organized in the counting (20 years or older) who complained about Me. ³⁰Not a single one of that group will have the privilege of entering the land I made an oath to give to you. Only Caleb (Jephunneh’s son) and Joshua (Nun’s son) will enter. ³¹Your children, those whom you feared would be taken by the land’s present inhabitants, will eventually enter the land you’ve rejected. ³²But the rest of you? You’ll die out here in the desert. ³³Until then, your children will have to wait it out, keeping the herds and flocks out here in the wilderness. On account of your faithlessness, they’ll have to wait the 40 years it’ll take for you all to die. ³⁴The same number of scouting days—40—is the number of years you’ll carry the guilt of your wrongs for being so hard-headed and know Me as only an enemy.” ³⁵Well, there it is. I, the Eternal One, have spoken, and so I will do it. This especially wicked group that banded together against Me will suffer for it, each and every one, and will come to an end and die out here in this wilderness.