Numbers 14:44 But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.
Presumption
It is quite clear that when the children of Israel refused to go into the land of Canaan, fear equaled rebellion. Moses told them, “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land.” They gave into their fears instead of trusting God, and refused to go into the land God had promised them.
Once they realized the error of their ways, they had a change of mind. Verse 40 says, “And they rose… and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised; for we have sinned.” Moses told them not to go up because the Lord was not with them anymore, yet verse 44 says, “But they presumed to go up to the hill top.”
Sometimes we arrogantly presume things that are not so. We assume things that we ought not to assume. This story shows this very thing. While God would have blessed Israel for going into Israel at the proper time, the same act became one of presumption and arrogance when Israel went without God’s blessing and at the wrong time.
It is not presumptuous to go against great odds; it is presumptuous to go without God. Israel was not presumptuous for going against giants, walled cities, and a land that was going to be humanly difficult to take. Their presumption was in going up to that land without God.
There are a few things to consider. First, obedience is the key. In verse 9 Joshua says, “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land…the LORD is with us: fear them not.” They were not to rebel or to fear, but to obey.
Secondly, faith is the way. Verse 11 says, “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?” Trusting God and obeying God go hand in hand.
Thirdly, timing is the difference. In verse 31 Moses says, “But your little ones…them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.” After hearing this, the people had a change of heart and decided they would go ahead to the land. They presumed. On one hand, they presumed against God by refusing to move. On the other hand, they presumed against God by moving when God said, “Stand still.” Timing is the difference between good and bad.
It’s not presumptuous to go against great odds. There may be times when God commands you to do exactly that. What is presumptuous is to go without God. Go with obedience, faith, and God’s timing, and you will have everything you need for tasks great or small.