“And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.”
Historical Context:The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, traditionally attributed to Moses. It provides an account of the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land.
Context of Numbers 13:In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve spies, one from each tribe of Israel, to explore the land of Canaan, which God had promised to give to the Israelites. The spies were instructed to assess the land and its inhabitants and bring back a report.
Meaning and Lessons:
- “And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel…” The twelve spies returned from their exploration with conflicting reports. Ten of the spies gave a negative report, instilling fear and doubt among the Israelites. Their report focused on the challenges and obstacles rather than on God’s promise. This negative report is referred to as an “evil report” because it undermined the faith and confidence of the people.
- Lesson:It is important for us to guard our words and the influence they have on others. Negative reports can spread fear, doubt, and negativity, hindering our progress and trust in God’s promises. We should be cautious and seek to encourage and uplift others with our words.
- “…saying, ‘The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.’” The spies exaggerated the challenges they faced, describing the land as devouring its inhabitants and the people living there as giants. Their focus on the difficulties overshadowed the fact that God had promised to give them the land.
- Lesson:Exaggeration and magnifying obstacles can distort our perspective and diminish our faith. We should remember that God’s promises are not nullified by the challenges we face. Trusting in God’s faithfulness and His ability to fulfill His promises should be our focus, rather than dwelling on the difficulties that lie ahead.
Consequences and Application:
The Israelites, swayed by the negative report, became fearful and lost faith in God’s promise to give them the land. Their lack of trust and disobedience led to forty years of wandering in the wilderness, until the doubting generation had passed away (Numbers 14:26-35).
We should be cautious of how we respond to challenges and reports that contradict God’s promises. Our faith should not waver based on negative circumstances or the opinions of others. Instead, we must hold on to God’s promises, trusting in His faithfulness, even when faced with difficulties.
Caleb and Joshua: Among the twelve spies, Caleb and Joshua had a different perspective. They believed that with God’s help, they could conquer the land, emphasizing the Lord’s favor and strength (Numbers 14:6-9).
Application:Like Caleb and Joshua, we should cultivate a faith-filled perspective, trusting in God’s power and faithfulness, regardless of the challenges before us. When we focus on God’s promises and His ability to overcome obstacles, we can move forward in faith, knowing that He is with us.
In summary, Numbers 13:32 teaches us the importance of guarding our words and the influence they have on others. It warns against exaggerating challenges and losing sight of God’s promises. Instead, we should maintain faith in God’s faithfulness, trusting in His power to overcome obstacles. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of fear and doubt and move forward in confidence and obedience.
