Question 1

What were the Israelites murmuring about in their tents in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The people were whispering and complaining in their tents that God had brought them out of Egypt because He hated them and wanted them to be destroyed by the Amorites. They listened to the fearful report of most of the spies, who spoke of tall people, strong nations, and cities walled up to heaven. Instead of remembering how God had saved them from slavery and cared for them in the wilderness, they twisted His past kindness into proof that He meant them harm. Their murmuring showed deep unbelief and ingratitude toward God.

Question 2

Why did Israel refuse to go up and enter the land God promised?

Accepted Answer

They refused to go up because fear controlled them. They heard that the people in the land were greater and taller, that the cities were huge and strongly walled, and that the sons of the Anakim, known as giants, were there. Even though Moses told them not to dread or be afraid, and reminded them that God would fight for them, they focused on what they saw and on the negative report of their brothers. Their hearts sank, and instead of trusting God’s promise, they chose to rebel and stay back.

Question 3

What does it mean that the people said, “Because the Lord hated us”?

Accepted Answer

That sentence shows how twisted their thinking had become. God had just rescued them from hard slavery, judged their enemies, and carried them through a rough wilderness. All of that was clear proof of His love and care. Yet when they faced a new danger, they let fear and unbelief rewrite the story. They claimed that God hated them and had only brought them out to destroy them. It is a warning of how our hearts can misread God’s actions when we stop trusting His character and forget His past kindness.

Question 4

How did Moses try to encourage the people when they were afraid?

Accepted Answer

Moses told them plainly, “Dread not, neither be afraid of them.” He reminded them that the Lord their God went before them and would fight for them, just as He had done in Egypt in front of their eyes. He pointed to their whole journey in the wilderness, where God had carried them like a father carries his son, providing food, water, protection, and victory. Moses called them to look back at what God had already done so they could trust Him with what lay ahead, instead of letting fear rule them.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about God’s character and care?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows God as a loving and active Father. He does not just send Israel ahead; He goes in front of them, choosing their camp sites, leading them by a cloud in the day and fire at night. He fights for them and carries them “as a man does bear his son.” It also shows that God’s care does not always remove hard things, but He walks with His people in them. At the same time, the passage shows that God expects His people to trust Him, especially after He has already shown such steady help.

Question 6

What is meant by God going before Israel in a cloud by day and fire by night?

Accepted Answer

The cloud by day and fire by night were visible signs of God’s guiding presence. In the day, the cloud led them through the pathless wilderness and gave shade from the burning sun. At night, the pillar of fire lit the way so they could travel and camp safely even in the dark. When the cloud moved, they moved; when it stopped, they camped. It was God Himself choosing the route and their resting places. This was meant to reassure them that they were never left to wander on their own.

Question 7

Why does the passage say, “Yet in this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God”?

Accepted Answer

Those words sum up the heart of their sin. They had seen God strike Egypt, part the sea, feed them with manna, bring water from rocks, and carry them through the desert. He went ahead of them, searching out places for their tents. With all that proof of His power and care, they still refused to trust Him when He told them to enter the land. Their unbelief was not from lack of evidence, but from a stubborn heart. This unbelief kept them from the land that God had promised to give them.

Question 8

How can this passage about Israel’s fear and unbelief apply to us today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows how easy it is to let fear speak louder than God’s past faithfulness. Like Israel, we can face hard situations, see only the “giants” and “high walls,” and then forget how God has helped us before. We may even start to doubt His goodness. The call here is to remember what God has already done, to listen to His promises instead of fearful voices, and to step forward in obedience even when we feel small. It invites us to trust His care, not our own strength.

Deuteronomy 1:26

Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God:

Israel’s Rebellion

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Deuteronomy 1:26

Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the Lord your God:

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Israel’s Rebellion

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