How do we see it?
Num. 13 & 14
Shammua, Shaphat, Caleb, Igal, Hoshea (Joshua), Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi le Geuel were sent by Moses to spy out the land of Canaan. They were asked to:
- See what the land is like
- See whether the people are weak or strong
- See whether they are few or many
- See whether the land is good or bad
- See whether the towns they live are unwalled or fortified
- See whether the land is rich or poor
- See whether there are trees or not
- Bring back some of the fruit of the land
They spent fourty days and then they returned to the Israelites and gave their reports. Except Caleb and Joshua, the rest of them elaborated on the greatness of the people of Canaan. Only Caleb and Joshua said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
They all went together. But their reports were different
Because of the reports of the others, the Israelites became afraid and planned to return to Egypt, saying, “Let us choose a captain and go back to Egypt.” But Caleb and Joshua said, “If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they are no more than bread for us… and the LORD is with us; do not fear them” (Num. 14:7-9). But the congregation threatened to stone them.
What about us Christians today? How do we see the vast lands and future before us? With fear or excitement? Many times, we see ourselves too much to see the opportunities lying before us and we fail to enjoy anything. We often see our own capacities and forget the LORD too. In our Christian lives also, we think that we will lose in our battle against sin and we falter.
But let us remember that the battle belongs to the LORD (cf. 1 Sam. 17:47; 1 Chron. 20:15). The Israelite spies also did not remember this and sinned greatly against the LORD. They saw only the strength of their enemies and became afraid.
Today, like Caleb and Joshua, let us look beyond ourselves and look at the vast land and the opportunities that lies there, depending upon the LORD, fighting against evil and living a holy life worthy of our calling. Let us take courage.
