Numbers 13:20
And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.
Numbers 13:20 (KJV)
Context
Numbers records Israel’s wilderness journey toward the Promised Land. In chapter 13, Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe, to explore Canaan. This verse gives their instructions: assess the land’s fertility, note the presence of wood, and bring back fruit as evidence.
Meaning
The phrase “fat or lean” describes the soil’s productivity. A fat land was rich and fertile; a lean land was poor and barren. The spies could judge this by the crops it produced. The command to bring fruit was practical proof of the land’s quality. The closing detail, “the time of the firstripe grapes,” shows it was early summer, when grapes began to ripen. This made it an ideal moment to sample the land’s abundance.
Biblical connections
The call to “be ye of good courage” is not mere human resolve. It is rooted in God’s promise to give Israel the land. This courage appears again in Deuteronomy 1:21, where Moses urges the people not to fear. The fruit they brought back, especially the cluster of grapes carried on a pole (Numbers 13:23), demonstrated the land’s goodness and foreshadowed the report of the spies.
Application
This verse teaches practical faith. Believers are to gather reliable information and prepare carefully before making decisions. At the same time, they must trust God’s guidance and promises. Observing the blessings God provides, symbolized by the fruit and the grape season, encourages gratitude and discernment. God’s promises are not abstract; they can be tasted and seen in tangible ways.
Reflection
As Israel stood on the threshold of the Promised Land, they faced the unknown with courage and evidence. Believers today also step into new territories, called to combine faith with wisdom. The verse reminds us to move forward with confidence, not because circumstances are certain, but because God’s promise is sure. Bring back the fruit of what God has done, and let it strengthen your trust in Him.
