the name change
- Venus Jackson
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Upcoming week (12/09/25) Numbers Ch.14 Next week (12/16/25) Numbers Ch.15 |
When you get a moment watch this example of how God works in our lives:
Questons for Numbers Chapter 14 - 12/09/2025
Name the range of emotions that Moses probably displayed throughout this chapter?
Why do you think the Israelites tried to cross into the valley that God told them not to?
Recap from 12/2/2025
Numbers Chapter 13
Our fellow Walk and Talkers, Doris and Sandra both gave a great summary on chapter 13. In fact, Doris got so caught up in the story that she read chapter 14!
Here is a rundown of chapter 13.
Verse 1 - God tells Moses to send out scouts from each tribe into Canaan
Verses 3-16 - Moses obeys and the Bible lists the names of the scouts
Verses 17-20 - Moses tells the scouts what to look for
Verses 21-25 - We are told where the scouts traveled
Verse 26 - The scouts report a land full of 'milk and honey'
Verse 30 - Caleb says. 'Let's go take possession!'
Verse 31 - The other scouts disagree because they are afraid of the stronger people they saw
Verses 32 -They spread their complaints to the rest of the Israelites.
Sandra had a great point: the scouts did a great job until they started spreading their negativity.
Is it okay to have doubts? I personally think so. The real issue is what we do with those doubts- especially if we have already heard directly from God.
Moses did not just randomly decide he wanted to conquer the other nations. This most humblest man in the world (12:3) was following God's instructions and God had not failed the Israelites yet. As a recap He had already:
Sent the 10 plagues to free the Israelites from Egypt
Parted the red sea for them to have safe passage.
Sent them manna to eat.
Sent them birds to eat.
Sent them a pillar of smoke and fire to help them travel.
He even had the Israelites to build Him a place where He could dwell directly with them!
And who knows how many other miracles God had done that did not get put in the Bible.
In fact, think about it this way: A popular youtuber may have 1.2 million views but only 24,000 of those million actually took the time to press the like button. That means that only 0.2% of the millions who watched, liked the video.
Now compare that to biblical times. When God performed a miracle back then, for the story to survive, it had to be memorized, repeated, protected during persecution, and eventually written down so it could last thousands of years. If we struggle today to push a like button, imagine how many miraculous moments weren’t preserved simply because people were busy trying to survive in the desert. The same is true in our times—how many miracles do we overlook or fail to share?
In other words, God had probably performed far more miracles for Israel than they even realized.
So, the scouts’ doubt is interesting. I understand human fear—we all wrestle with it—but when the Creator Himself, the Alpha and Omega, the Healer, has given the assignment… and when it comes through a leader like Moses who has been humble, faithful, and consistently protective of Israel… spreading doubt and negativity becomes dangerous. because it is contagious and can disrupt the entire nation.
I am sure that Moses was aware of this possibility. And that is why one small action stood out to me. He changed the name of one of the scouts from Hoshea ('deliverance') to Joshua ('God is deliverance.')
What a simple but powerful shift:
From a concept…
to a declaration.
From “deliverance”
to “God is the deliverance.”
It wasn’t just a new name.
It was a covering.
A reminder.
A blessing spoken in advance of the journey.
What a powerful reminder for us today. I agree with another of Sandra's comments that goes something like God may have an assignment that He expects us to complete, but through His wisdom we also must be ready to do our part to ensure the execution of that assignment.
And that is exactly what Moses did. He not only sent the scouts but he ensured that they were protected in the best way possible.
We must learn to do the same: when we send our children to school, when our spouse leaves for work, when we long for peace in our homes, when we carry concerns for family and friends.
Along our journey in life, our connection with God allows us to take powerful and effective action in His name. It would be wise to learn to walk in His partnership.
Prayer requests:
Jamaican families during and after the. Hurricane Melissa - 'a catastrophic Category 5 storm nearing landfall in Jamaica. With sustained winds of up to 185 mph, it is the most powerful hurricane to approach the island in recorded history'
Safety, protection and healing over all Walk and Talkers (past present and future) and their families
Quick healing over Sammantra's son
Healing and repairing of Frances' ankle and neck, Neck surgery is comlete! Praying for full recovery.
For God to not only physically provide for Joan's friend and her family but also provide physical and mental strength - update: prayerfully she has a new job!
A quick recovery for Joan's friend who broke her hip - can't have surgery because of her heart so she is doing therapy.
Venus' dad who has recovered from cancer but needs all malignant small nodes on lungs to be destroyed (update - Dad is doing well. He will have to go through treatment over the next year but he is thankful)
Praying for all of us to have an encounter with God in our own unique ways.
Trail Walk
Saturday
Date: TBA
Sandy Creek Park
Time: TBA
Potluck Tuesday was also a suggestion from last semester. Anyone interested in doing a Potluck once a month? Open to suggestions on an ideal day and time we can do this.
Christmas wrapping party! Save the date December 17th.
What is a wrapping party? It is where we can bring our personal Christmas gifts to wrap in a fun, food-filled, camaraderie-filled environment. Invite others whom you think may benefit. Don't have much to wrap, then prepare to help others. Wrapping paper and tape will be available. Please feel free to donate any wrapping materials if you feel led.
Health goals
Pray and think about the goals that God has for your life. He has many, but one of the areas we concentrate on in Walk and Talk is our health. How do you think God wants us to care for ourselves? What steps are we taking to be the best person we can be?
See you Tuesday!!
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