Do you recognize any of these names from the Bible: Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel Sethur, Nahbi, Geuel? How about these: Joshua, Caleb?

These are the names of the delegation of 12 leaders, one from each tribe, that Moses sent to spy out the land of Canaan. The first ten listed above gave the majority report describing the hopelessness of moving forward.

They concluded their report with these self-defeating words, “We became grasshoppers in our own sight and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:33 NASB)

Two members of that delegation, Joshua and Caleb, delivered the minority report. “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.”

Joshua and Caleb were voted down. They were not just voted down. The people were about to stone them to death.

The majority report won out that day. It took 40 years of wandering in the wilderness before the truth of the two who stood alone would come to fruition.

Joshua and Caleb’s report was focused on the truth and on doing the job they were sent to do. The report of the other ten was focused on the status quo and avoiding conflict.

Last weekend there were two who focused on the job that their respective states sent them to Washington to do. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Mike Lee of Utah forced the Senators to go on record and take a position on the constitutionality of Obama’s orders.

They were voted down. Some in the Senate threw verbal stones. Some were angry because their travel plans were interrupted by these two who dared to take a stand.

Does anyone sing songs today about Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel Sethur, Nahbi, or Geuel?

Fill in the blanks – _____ fit the battle of ____. The fact that you filled in those blanks with ease proves which ones history remembers.

Ted Cruz and Mike Lee focused on the job they were sent to do. Some others focused on making their flight on time. Which will history remember?

by