Bibledoorajar: The Earnest Foretaste

     Two things happened during this period that send a strong message as to God being able to care for His people. First was an important name change. The leader named Hoshea,  the son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, was renamed Joshua  by Moses (Numbers 13:16). Oshea's meaning is a prayer for God to please save; and Joshua's meaning carries a promise of salvation. The spies were now going forth with a man whose name(s) signified first that God hears prayers for salvation and that, more importantly, He will save in answer to that prayer.  Reading through the Word you see this man called by both names from time to time. It tells us how important it is to not just pray for God's help but to believe the promises that He will save and provide. Every spy saw the same things in the land; every spy saw how very fruitful it was. Every spy knew they were with the leader whose names meant Prayer/Promise, Promise/Prayer.
     The second thing that happened is that they brought back a bunch of grapes with them the cluster of which was so big that they had to hang it on a rod and carry it between two men. This grape cluster was an earnest of good things to come.
     In Israel, they make many souvenirs out of olive wood. One of the things I brought back was the men carrying the grape cluster. It is placed in my home to remind me that I, too, have been given an earnest of good things to come. This earnest linked with prayers/promises keeps me focused on the fullness of heaven awaiting me.

"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."  Ephesians 1: 13-14

Prayer/Promise; Promise/Prayer: sealed with an earnest---a guarantee. Praise God for the Spirit of Holiness.. I am now going forth with an earnest that God hears my prayers and has promised His provision for kingdom living.