The Duty of
Encouragement
The Effect of an
Evil Report
When the ten spies
brought back an evil report from the
land of Canaan, what did Caleb say?
“Then Caleb
silenced the people before Moses and
said, “We should go up and
take possession of the land, for we
can certainly do it.”
Numbers 13:30.
What did the ten
spies say?
“But the men who
had gone up with him said, “We
can’t attack those people; they
are stronger than we are.”
Verse 31.
What effect did the
evil report have upon the people?
“That night all
the people of the community raise
their voices and wept aloud. All the
Israelites grumbled against
Moses and Aaron, and the whole
assembly said to them, “If only
we died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why
is the Lord bringing us to this land
only to let us fall by the sword?
Our wives and children will be taken
as plunder. Wouldn’t it be
better for us to go back to
Egypt?” And they said to each
other, “We should choose a
leader and go back to Egypt.”
Numbers 14:1-4.
A
New Leader is Encouraged
With what words did
Moses seek to encourage Joshua?
“And Moses
summoned Joshua and said to him in
the presence of Israel, “Be
strong and courageous, for you
must go with this people into the
land that the Lord swore to their
forefathers to give them, and you
must divide it among them as their
inheritance. The Lord himself goes
before you and will be with you; he
will never leave you or forsake you. Do
not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:7,8.
In
his final charge to Joshua, what did
Moses, speaking for God, say to him?
“The Lord gave
this command to Joshua son of Nun:
“Be strong and courageous.
For you will bring the Israelites
into the land I promised them with an
oath, and I myself will be with
you.” Verse 23.
After
Moses’ death, how did the Lord
encourage Joshua?
“No one will be
able to stand up against you all the
days of your life. As I was with
Moses, so I will be with you; I will
never leave you nor forsake you.
“Be strong and courageous,
because you will lead these people to
inherit the land I swore to their
forefathers to give them” Joshua
1:5,6.
Leaders
Encouraged the People
When Sennacherib,
king of Assyria, came against
Jerusalem, what did King Hezekiah say
to Israel?
“Be strong and
courageous. Do not be afraid
or discouraged because of the
king of Assyria and the vast army
with him, for there is a greater
power with us than with him. With him
is only the arm of flesh, but with us
is the Lord our God to help us fight
our battles.” And the people
gained confidence from what Hezekiah
the king of Judah said.”
2 Chronicles 32:7,8.
What
effect did these words have upon the
people?
“And the people gained
confidence from what Hezekiah the
king of Judah said. Verse 8.
How
did Josiah seek to promote the
worship of God?
“He appointed the
priests to their duties and encouraged
them in the service of the
Lord’s temple.” 2
Chronicles 35:2.
Heaven
Encourages All
By what message,
through the prophet Haggai, did God
seek to encourage the people to
rebuild the Temple?
“But now be
strong, O Zerrubbabel,’
declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, O
Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high
priest. Be strong, all you people
of the land,’ declares the
Lord,’ and work. For I am with
you,’ declared the Lord
Almighty.” Haggai 2:4.
What
encouraging message has Christ left
us?
“I have told
you these things, so that in me you
may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take
heart! I have overcome the
world.” John
16:33.
Note – A
discouraged man, like a dispirited
horse, is powerless to perform his
task. We should always try to
encourage someone with an inspiring
word. We know not how much it is
needed or how great and far-reaching
its consequences may be.
