In Numbers 13 and 14 we read that the LORD instructed Moses to send one man from each of the twelve tribes to search out the land of Canaan. These twelve men were instructed to observe the inhabitants of the land, view their cities and strongholds, view their land, and to bring of the fruit of the land. Moses’ final words were, “Be ye of good courage.”
After forty days of searching out the land, the men returned. The men reported that the land flowed with milk and honey. They brought of the pomegranates, of the figs, and of the grapes – for which it required two men to carry one cluster between them upon a staff. But as they continued giving their report, ten of the twelve [the majority] dissuaded the people from entering the land by stating that the people were strong, and the cities were walled and very great. Their evil report concluded with, “We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we; the land eateth up the inhabitants; and there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” [cf. Numbers 13:31-33].
Caleb and Joshua, two of the twelve [the minority], rent their clothes and stated, “The land is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.” [cf. Numbers 14:6-8].
The children of Israel did not want to listen to Joshua and Caleb, nor Moses and Aaron – and all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, and against Joshua and Caleb. The congregation then sought to stone these men and to return back to Egypt – for they stated, “Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” [cf. Numbers 14:4]. Though Joshua and Caleb called upon the people to resist rebelling against the LORD and to not fear the people of the land – the people sided with the majority.
The LORD was greatly angered by their rebellion and their lack of trust in Him – though He had brought them out of slavery in Egypt, brought them through the Red Sea, and established them as a nation. The LORD stated unto Moses, “How long will this people provoke me? And how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.” [Numbers 14:11-12]. The ten spies that turned the people against the LORD died that day. Their rebellion against the LORD cost the children of Israel forty years in the wilderness and the death of all above twenty years of age; save Moses, Joshua, and Caleb.
As churches today – the LORD has set before His people a land that flows with milk and honey. And He has stated, “Be ye of good courage.” In Matthew 16:18b the Lord stated, “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” However, when we observe the land we too may only see the giants and the strongholds, and are often led to state, “They are stronger than we; the land eateth up the inhabitants; and there we saw the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” But this too is rebellion against the LORD. For you see, the LORD places churches within the midst of towns and cities – and then He states, “I have given you this field that is already white unto harvest. Go ye therefore unto the harvest.” [cf. John 4:35]. Sadly, many churches will succumb to the majority of the nay-sayers and consequently the church will not go forth. Accepting the minority report requires faith and visualizing the promises of God. Let us seek to go forth and conquer the land and the inhabitants [even the giants] of our town, and our surrounding communities, through faith and the promises of God.
