FORWARD! Don't Listen to the 10 Spies!

by Mike Bennett

After the plagues on Egypt, after the parting of the Red Sea, after the thunder and lightning on Mt. Sinai, Israel moved on and was within striking distance of the Promised Land. During this critical time there was an incident that holds great lessons for us today. It's a story of espionage and betrayal, of courage and cowardice, of faith and fear.

Moses chose 12 leaders, one from each tribe, to scout out the land they were all so eager to reach. He told them where to go and what kinds of information to gather. For 40 days they spied out the land, and found it was all God had promised as a land flowing with milk and honey. All 12 spies also took note of the military strength of the people in the land, and 10 of them took special note of the giants in the area just north of the Israelites' camp.

Apparently as the 12 headed back to camp, they didn't practice their presentation. Maybe 10 of the scouts had already decided that Joshua and Caleb were foolhardy and not realistic about the dangers. Perhaps they spent time on the trip back discussing the situation among themselves, but somehow not letting Joshua and Caleb in on their plans. Or maybe they just walked back in silence—the typical "strong, silent types."

Fearful and Faithless

Whatever happened, the report ended up a surprise. Yes, there were beautiful large grapes and an abundant fertile land.

But the 10 spies suddenly announced, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are." These 10 spies not only laid out the military strength of the Canaanites, but painted vivid word pictures of incredible giants who made them seem like mere grasshoppers in comparison. These fearful and faithless spies scared the people and sapped their strength and courage. They played on their fears and provoked panic.

Courageous Caleb

Into this scene strode courageous Caleb, one of the two faithful spies. When he finally quieted the crowd, he proclaimed a powerful statement that should have turned things around. "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30).

Caleb remembered what God had done for them in defeating the mighty nation of Egypt through plagues and at the Red Sea. Israel hadn't had to fight the Egyptians—God did it for them. And God was much more powerful than the Canaanites and even the giant sons of Anak. All Israel had to do was go forward!

Israel did not listen, but fell prey to the fears and disbelief that have always troubled mankind. When the going got tough, the Israelites got ready to go back to Egypt.

Today, as we come out of sin, there are still voices of fear and faithlessness telling us: It's too hard! You can't overcome that—it's a deeply engrained giant of a sin. Give up, go back—resistance is futile! But God keeps telling us we are well able to overcome it.

He tells us that through Paul: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

He tells us through John at the end of the book. It's interesting that Revelation 21:8 lists those who won't be in God's Kingdom, including the types of people represented by the 10 spies: the fearful and faithless. But Revelation 21:7 tells about those who don't listen to the negative voices, but instead listen to the voice of Caleb and use God's help to overcome. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son."

So let's all encourage each other to go forward, to never give up, to use the spiritual weapons and armor to pull down the strongholds and become more than conquerors. We, with God's help, are well able to overcome it! UN