Numbers 26:65
For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
For the LORD had said of them
This phrase underscores the authority and sovereignty of God in the narrative. The Hebrew root for "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This reflects God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate judge. Historically, this statement is a reminder of God's previous declarations and judgments, particularly concerning the Israelites' disobedience and lack of faith. It serves as a testament to the reliability and certainty of God's word.

They will surely die in the wilderness
The phrase "surely die" is a translation of the Hebrew "môt tamûtûn," which conveys an absolute certainty of death. This was a direct consequence of the Israelites' rebellion and lack of trust in God's promises, as seen in the earlier narrative of the spies in Numbers 14. The "wilderness" symbolizes a place of testing and judgment, a stark contrast to the Promised Land. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the seriousness with which God views sin.

Not one of them was left
This phrase highlights the completeness of God's judgment. The Hebrew word "ʾîš" (man) is often used to emphasize individuality, yet here it underscores the totality of the judgment—no exceptions were made. This reflects the historical reality that the entire generation that doubted God's promise perished, fulfilling God's word precisely. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice and the importance of faithfulness.

except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun
Caleb and Joshua are singled out as exceptions due to their faith and obedience. The Hebrew names "Caleb" and "Joshua" carry significant meanings: Caleb means "faithful" or "devotion," and Joshua, "Yehoshua," means "Yahweh is salvation." Their survival is a testament to God's faithfulness to those who trust and follow Him wholeheartedly. This phrase serves as an inspirational reminder that God rewards faith and obedience, even amidst widespread unfaithfulness. Caleb and Joshua's faith set them apart, allowing them to enter the Promised Land, symbolizing hope and the fulfillment of God's promises to those who remain steadfast.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who decreed the fate of the Israelites in the wilderness.

2. Caleb son of Jephunneh
One of the two faithful spies who trusted in God's promise and was spared from the judgment.

3. Joshua son of Nun
The other faithful spy, who later became the leader of Israel after Moses.

4. The Wilderness
The place where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

5. The Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from Egypt but faced judgment due to their rebellion and unbelief.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness Amidst Unbelief
Caleb and Joshua exemplify steadfast faith in God's promises, even when surrounded by doubt and fear. Believers today are called to trust God, regardless of the circumstances.

Consequences of Disobedience
The Israelites' failure to trust God led to severe consequences. This serves as a reminder that disobedience and unbelief can hinder our spiritual journey and blessings.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
God's decree that the unbelieving generation would not enter the Promised Land underscores His sovereignty and justice. It reminds us that God is both loving and just, and His plans are perfect.

The Importance of a Faithful Remnant
Caleb and Joshua's survival highlights the significance of a faithful remnant. God often works through a few who remain true to Him, impacting the larger community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the faith of Caleb and Joshua challenge you in your current walk with God?

2. In what ways can the consequences faced by the Israelites serve as a warning for us today?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty and justice affect your view of His character?

4. What are some practical steps you can take to remain faithful when those around you are not?

5. How can the concept of a faithful remnant encourage you in your role within your church or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 1:34-36
This passage reiterates the faithfulness of Caleb and Joshua, highlighting their trust in God amidst the unbelief of the other spies.

Hebrews 3:16-19
The New Testament reflects on the unbelief of the Israelites in the wilderness, using it as a warning for believers to remain faithful.

1 Corinthians 10:5-11
Paul uses the example of the Israelites in the wilderness to caution Christians against idolatry and disobedience.
The Census of IsraelSpurgeon, Charles HaddonNumbers 26:63-65
The Certainty of the Fulfilment of God's Threatened Judgments and Promised MerciesT. Doig, M. A.Numbers 26:63-65
The Faithfulness of GodW. Jones.Numbers 26:63-65
A Generation GoneD. Young Numbers 26:64, 65
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Caleb, Certainly, Death, Desert, Die, Except, Jephunneh, Jephun'neh, Joshua, Nun, Overtake, Save, Surely, Waste, Wilderness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:63-65

     5266   conscription

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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