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The Attitude of Grasshoppers

September 2nd, 2008 by Jeremy Sprouse

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Beware of what you set your mind on for that you will surely become.” Sometimes when we look at ourselves we do not see what we can become with God’s help; we see only our own weaknesses and the flaws. By dwelling on these we become weaker and more flawed. Consider the Israelites in Numbers 13:31-14:4. They did not think they were up able to conquer the Promised Land. They thought of themselves as grasshoppers facing giants and so they were. Lets examine three attitudes that brought about their downfall.
First, an “I can’t do it” attitude (13:31-14:1). They said the people were too strong and they were too weak. They were dwelling on their shortcomings rather than having faith in God. So what if their enemies were bigger and stronger? They had God on their side! We often dwell on our own abilities when we should be looking to God. Consider some of following attitudes towards God’s commands: “I don’t see how that will work,” “I don’t have the strength to change,” or “I don’t know enough to reach out to others, teach, preach, or lead prayers.” Is anything impossible with God? Instead of an “I can’t do it” attitude, we need to have Paul’s attitude in 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Second, an “I’d rather die” attitude (14:2). The people were wishing they had died in the wilderness so they would not have had to come against the men of Canaan. This attitude stems from continued faithlessness. They would rather die than follow God’s commands. They had rejected God’s leaders. This attitude is shared by many today. Consider the following statements: “If that’s what the Bible says, I don’t want anything to do with God,” “I just can’t accept a God who would condemn someone to hell,” “I just can’t accept a God who would allow (fill in the tragic event) to happen,” or “I just can’t believe my parents are not saved.” Many people profess to be willing to die for God, but very few seem willing to live for God (cf. Romans 12:1-2).
Third, an “I know a better way” attitude (14:3-4). The Israelites had an inaccurate view of God. They believed God was cruel. They believed it was better to be a slave in Egypt than a servant of God. They rejected God’s plan in favor of their own: to appoint a new leader (not God’s), to start a new plan (not God’s). This is the solution of many today. Some churches have given in to social peer pressure and started changing views towards homosexuality, women’s roles, instrumental music, and baptism. Following social peer pressure is man’s plan, not God’s. This attitude is the way of death (Proverbs 16:25).
The attitudes of the grasshopper are the attitudes of unbelief. Because of their attitude they rejected God’s leadership and plan. Because of their faithlessness they wandered 40 years in the wilderness (14:34), died in the wilderness (14:29), and did not enter the Promised Land (14:30). What makes us think we will turn out any better if we have the same attitudes?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 11:48 am and is filed under Bulletin Articles.

One Comment on “The Attitude of Grasshoppers”

  1. On February 13th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
    Anonymous said:

    Good article, adding it to my favourites!

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