“Only do not…fear the people of the land…; their protection has departed from them” (Num. 14:9 NKJ).
In this passage, Joshua and Caleb are exhorting the children of Israel to have confidence enough to go into the Promised Land and possess their inheritance.
Because the ten other spies had come back telling about the giants in the land, a great fear possessed the people. In this verse, the two men of God are urging them to overcome their fears and insecurities because the protection of their enemy is gone.
In the original Hebrew the word translated here as protection is tsel (tsale). It is defined as “a shade, a shadow, a cloud cover, or a defense like a roof affording protection.” The Amplified Bible translates this verse: …the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us; fear them not.
Shadow is the Bible word for protection. The Prophet Isaiah says of the Lord, For thou hast been a…refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat… (Isa. 25:4).
He likens God to the shadow of a great rock in a weary land (Isa. 32:2). The Lord declares to His people through the prophet, I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand… (Isa. 51:16).
This shadow is important. It encourages us when we are faced with all kinds of opposition and seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
In the New Testament, Peter’s shadow fell on people and they were healed (Acts 5:15). In the Old Testament, Solomon said of His God: “I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Sol. 2:3).
While under the shadow of the Almighty, we are safely covered while our enemy will end up getting “Son-stroke!”
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.