Faith Tested: Doubt and Confidence Before God

1. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2. “Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them.” 3. Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Yahweh. All of them were men who were heads of the children of Israel. 4. These were their names: Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur. 5. Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori. 6. Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 7. Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph. 8. Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun. 9. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu. 10. Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi. 11. Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi. 12. Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli. 13. Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael. 14. Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi. 15. Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. 16. These are the names of the men who Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun Joshua. 17. Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country. 18. See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many; 19. and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds; 20. and what the land is, whether it is fat or lean, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes. 21. So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. 22. They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23. They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. 24. That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there. 25. They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days. 26. They went and came to Moses, to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them and to all the congregation. They showed them the fruit of the land. 27. They told him, and said, “We came to the land where you sent us. Surely it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28. However the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. 29. Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along the side of the Jordan.” 30. Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!” 31. But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” 32. They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature. 33. There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim. We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” 1. All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt, or that we had died in this wilderness! 3. Why does Yahweh bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be captured or killed! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” 4. They said to one another, “Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” 5. Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6. Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. 7. They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land. 8. If Yahweh delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us; a land which flows with milk and honey. 9. Only don’t rebel against Yahweh, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and Yahweh is with us. Don’t fear them.” 10. But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones. Yahweh’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. 11. Yahweh said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? 12. I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.” 13. Moses said to Yahweh, “Then the Egyptians will hear it; for you brought up this people in your might from among them. 14. They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you Yahweh are among this people; for you Yahweh are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15. Now if you killed this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, 16. ‘Because Yahweh was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore he has slain them in the wilderness.’ 17. Now please let the power of the Lord be great, according as you have spoken, saying, 18. ‘Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ 19. Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” 20. Yahweh said, “I have pardoned according to your word: 21. but in very deed, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Yahweh’s glory; 22. because all those men who have seen my glory, and my signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted me these ten times, and have not listened to my voice; 23. surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. 24. But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it. 25. Since the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley, tomorrow turn, and go into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.” 26. Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 27. “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, that murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28. Tell them, ‘As I live, says Yahweh, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you. 29. Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were counted of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against me, 30. surely you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31. But your little ones, that you said should be captured or killed, them I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. 32. But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. 33. Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies are consumed in the wilderness. 34. After the number of the days in which you spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, you will bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you will know my alienation.’ 35. I, Yahweh, have spoken. I will surely do this to all this evil congregation, who are gathered together against me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.” 36. The men, whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up an evil report against the land, 37. even those men who brought up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Yahweh. 38. But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land. 39. Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, and the people mourned greatly. 40. They rose up early in the morning, and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, “Behold, we are here, and will go up to the place which Yahweh has promised: for we have sinned.” 41. Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of Yahweh, since it shall not prosper? 42. Don’t go up, for Yahweh isn’t among you; that way you won’t be struck down before your enemies. 43. For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and you will fall by the sword, because you turned back from following Yahweh, therefore Yahweh will not be with you.” 44. But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, the ark of Yahweh’s covenant and Moses didn’t depart out of the camp. 45. Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites who lived in that mountain, and struck them and beat them down, even to Hormah. 1. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2. “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you, 3. and will make an offering by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a freewill offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to Yahweh, of the herd, or of the flock; 4. then he who offers his offering shall offer to Yahweh a meal offering of one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of oil. 5. You shall prepare wine for the drink offering, the fourth part of a hin, with the burnt offering, or for the sacrifice, for each lamb. 6. “‘Or for a ram, you shall prepare for a meal offering two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the third part of a hin of oil; 7. and for the drink offering you shall offer the third part of a hin of wine, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. 8. When you prepare a bull for a burnt offering, or for a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or for peace offerings to Yahweh; 9. then shall he offer with the bull a meal offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil: 10. and you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. 11. Thus shall it be done for each bull, or for each ram, or for each of the male lambs, or of the young goats. 12. According to the number that you shall prepare, so you shall do to everyone according to their number. 13. “‘All who are native-born shall do these things in this way, in offering an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh. 14. If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, or whoever may be among you throughout your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Yahweh; as you do, so he shall do. 15. For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner, a statute forever throughout your generations. As you are, so shall the foreigner be before Yahweh. 16. One law and one ordinance shall be for you, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.’” 17. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 18. “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land where I bring you, 19. then it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall offer up a wave offering to Yahweh. 20. Of the first of your dough you shall offer up a cake for a wave offering. As the wave offering of the threshing floor, so you shall heave it. 21. Of the first of your dough, you shall give to Yahweh a wave offering throughout your generations. 22. “‘When you err, and don’t observe all these commandments, which Yahweh has spoken to Moses, 23. even all that Yahweh has commanded you by Moses, from the day that Yahweh gave commandment, and onward throughout your generations; 24. then it shall be, if it was done unwittingly, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bull for a burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh, with its meal offering, and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering. 25. The priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering made by fire to Yahweh, and their sin offering before Yahweh, for their error. 26. All the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, as well as the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them; for with regard to all the people, it was done unwittingly. 27. “‘If one person sins unwittingly, then he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. 28. The priest shall make atonement for the soul who errs, when he sins unwittingly before Yahweh, to make atonement for him; and he shall be forgiven. 29. You shall have one law for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them. 30. “‘But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, the same blasphemes Yahweh. That soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31. Because he has despised Yahweh’s word, and has broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off. His iniquity shall be on him.’” 32. While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33. Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34. They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. 35. Yahweh said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36. All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as Yahweh commanded Moses. 37. Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 38. “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue: 39. and it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all Yahweh’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’ t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute; 40. so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. 41. I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh your God.”

1. “Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.” 2. When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said, 3. “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are today. 4. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5. As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. 6. As I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky. 7. I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8. I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.’ 9. “Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn’t understand the voice of him who spoke to me. 10. I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The Lord said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11. When I couldn’t see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12. One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus, 13. came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I looked up at him. 14. He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 15. For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16. Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17. “When I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 18. and saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.’ 19. I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. 20. When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’ 21. “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’” 22. They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, “Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!” 23. As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air, 24. the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that. 25. When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?” 26. When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!” 27. The commanding officer came and asked him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28. The commanding officer answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But I was born a Roman.” 29. Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him. 30. But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them. 1. Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.” 2. The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4. Those who stood by said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?” 5. Paul said, “I didn’t know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” 6. But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” 7. When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 9. A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight against God!” 10. When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. 11. The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.” 12. When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13. There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy. 14. They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15. Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16. But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 17. Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, “Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.” 18. So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, “Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you.” 19. The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20. He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. 21. Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you.” 22. So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.” 23. He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night.” 24. He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25. He wrote a letter like this: 26. “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 27. “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28. Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council. 29. I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of death or of imprisonment. 30. When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell.” 31. So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32. But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 33. When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34. When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 35. “I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace. 1. After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 2. When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 3. we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4. But, that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 5. For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6. He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him. 7. 8. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9. The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 10. When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 11. seeing that you can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12. In the temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 13. Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14. But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 15. having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16. Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17. Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18. amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19. They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20. Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 21. unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!’” 22. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 23. He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24. But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25. As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.” 26. Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him. 27. But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

1. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.” 2. I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred. 3. My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned. I spoke with my tongue: 4. “Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am. 5. Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah. 6. “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather. 7. Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. 8. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don’t make me the reproach of the foolish. 9. I was mute. I didn’t open my mouth, because you did it. 10. Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand. 11. When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah. 12. “Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. 13. Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more.”