Numbers 13
God’s promises—His pure revelatory word—are the foundation of faith. God’s actions give objective evidence that He is indeed moving toward a complete fulfillment of every promise. The promises given to us are given in light of an eternally concomitant promise given to His Son. He will not fail to satisfy His Son and in so doing also will satisfy his revealed purpose toward us. The Israelites had sufficient promises of divine purpose in their corporate life accompanied by amazing historical demonstration of God’s power and intention. No reason for doubt existed. Only the resident corruption of heart can induce fear of the powers of darkness. Luther wrote: “The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure, for, lo, his doom is sure. One little words shall fell him.”
I. God commands an investigation of the land (1, 2).
The God who promised the land commanded an investigation of the land. Even in this command, the certainty of possession is reiterated: “Which I am going to give to the sons of Israel” (2).
A. This indicates no lack of knowledge or unchanging purpose on the part of God, but sets us a test of faith.
How will the people respond to perceived difficulties in the way of trusting and claiming what God promised? This promise had been clear since the time of Abraham (Genesis 12:1–9; 13:14–17; 14:17–21). Joseph reiterated it (Genesis 50:24). Moses was deputized to lead the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to claim this inheritance in their generation (Exodus 3:16–18). This espionage plan was not to determine the feasibility of occupying the land. That had been determined by God. It was to provide a foretaste of the abundance they would inherit by divine favor.
B. True faith, when tested, will be proven genuine.
Peter called this “the tested genuineness of your faith” (1 Peter 1:4–7 ESV). By such faith we receive through the resurrection of Jesus Christ [the objective absolute guarantee that the promise of eternal life is true] an “inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved (or kept) in heaven” for true believers. God’s promise was not under scrutiny when Moses sent them out; their faith was.
II. Moses appointed the men, one from each tribe.
They were called “the heads of the children of Israel” (3–16). The men who represented the various tribes were trusted for their leadership within their tribe. Each tribe would possess a portion, and each tribe must fight to win. Each tribe, therefore, would hear the report of one who had risen to an exalted status in the estimation of the people. Had they believed the promise reasserted by the voice of God in each generation, their mission would have culminated in a joyful celebration of the gift of God. These promises were renewed by Moses’ report, verified by the divine power demonstrated in the words of Moses, and the divine determination of escape. They ere to give testimony to the goodness of the place of their eventual nationhood. Had the embraced and continued in the purpose manifest in the exodus, they would not have halted at the appearance of difficulty.
III. Moses gave instructions in two areas; (1) What traits to look for; (2) Maintain a spirit of courage (17–19; 20).
A. These representatives of the people had the task of recording a multiplicity of facts about the land and the people in it.
Moses records that they did a thorough job of scouting the entire land (17, 21–23). They knew whether the areas of population were open or fortified. They had learned of the variety of tribes of people that dwelt there (28, 29).
B. “Be of good courage (20 KJV, NKJV, RSV).
As they surveyed the land, they were to bear in mind the promise of God, to gain courage from trusting his veracity and purpose, to celebrate the goodness of this gift, and to know that as the Pharaoh and the Egyptian army had not thwarted God’s promise, neither would these people, including the descendants of Anak. They were not to decide if the land would be secured. They were not to evaluate if they had sufficient manpower and skill to win the battles that face them. They were to complete their evaluation of the land with the firm and unwavering confidence that, in spite of what they observed about the apparent formidability of its inhabitants, God indeed had given them a good land in which they could prosper as an elect nation, a holy priesthood, the people of God’s own possession.
IV. They conducted a thorough examination of terrain, people, and productivity (21–25) and reported on their impressions (26–33).
They brought back report and product of a forty-day investigation of their inheritance.
A. They saw that the land was fertile and productive; it was fit to support their population (23, 27).
One cluster of grapes had to be suspended on a pole and carried on the shoulders of two men. Indeed, they saw that it was a land flowing with “milk and honey” (27).
B. It is a frightful land (26, 27).
Though they had no misgivings about the quality of the land and its adequacy for abundant productivity, ten of the spies felt that they were overwhelmingly inadequate for the task of seizing the land according to Moses’ plans. The cities were fortified, the people strong and large. Their cities seemed overwhelming in their size and protective capacities. Giants were there! In comparison, the Israelites were grasshoppers (33).
C. Caleb (and Joshua – 14:6) maintained courage (30).
Caleb contradicted the ten by saying “We should” and “we will surely.” The spies were not sent to evaluate their capacity for conquering; that was already determined by the promise of God. Caleb saw both the moral oughtness of the invasion according to God’s command (“should”), but the certainty of success because of God’s promise (“we will”).
D. The others spread fear (31–33).
They were desperate to be heard; they were in a panicked fear, anticipating certain death in a “land that devours its inhabitants.” They had completely capitulated to a naturalistic understanding of the task before them. They measured their height and strength in comparison to the height and strength of the land’s inhabitants and concluded that the proposed invasion was sure death and any future in the land was pure naivete. God could very well have asked them the same question he proposed centuries later through the writing of Isaiah: “Why when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all that it cannot redeem? Or have I no power to deliver?” (Isaiah 50:2).
Poem
God gives His promises
In light of His commands,
To strengthen our weak faith,
To help us understand.
A promise of eternal life
Comes to a faith enduring strife.
We eat delicious fruit
From trees whose roots are deep.
Those who shun the harvest
Will fail such fruit to reap.
The way of faith confronts distress;
The fruit of faith is righteousness.
Discernment is a gift
The Spirit grants the called.
New hearts sense light from dark,
With holiness enthralled.
A work from God, a promise old,
Will move us forward, make us bold.
Formidable in strength
This Giant Despair appears.
He wraps us in his chains,
Inflames our hearts with fears.
But true believers soon will find
Electing purpose sooths their mind.
A land we have to storm;
God calls us to the strife.
Though foes oppose our quest,
We seek eternal life.
Our Lord Himself despised the cross,
Secured our gain, reversed our loss.
So certain was the oath,
The Lord will not relent.
Our dead and hardened hearts
Are quickened to repent.
He promised land and fruit and peace;
His patient mercies never cease.
Though victory is sure,
The enemy seems strong.
In faith we shall endure;
Our tears give way to song.
Spite fearful hearts, He makes us brave.
We’re perishing, and yet He saves.
Praise Spirit, Father Son,
The Lord whom we adore.
Elect, made right, alive,
Redeemed forevermore.
Included in eternal love,
Our final home with God above.
