God doesn’t forget His promises. Numbers 13:1 reminds us of the promise to Abraham, recorded in Genesis 12, when He chose him to be the father of the nation of Israel. Genesis 12:1 reads, “Now, the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.’
Let’s connect God’s promise to Abram to where we are currently in this great story of God’s plan to save the world. Many years have passed, and generations of Israelites have died, but God has been faithful to His promise. So, what do we see happening as God worked through Moses to deliver on His promise? “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘ Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their father’s tribes, every one a leader among them.’ Numbers 13:1.
Look carefully at what God is telling the Israelites to do. God said He would give them the land, so why are they having to go and check it out? If you read further in the text, you will see where Moses gives them specific instructions of what to look for: whether the people are weak or strong, the layout of the cities, the condition of the land, and to return with some produce grown there.
There is a great lesson in this for us. While God generously gives air, sunshine, and rain to all, many of His promises are conditioned on our willingness to participate, to do our part. God has a part, and we have a part in seeing His promises come to fruition. God promises to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites; their part is to claim and take it. He will guarantee victory if they fight for the land. He will provide what they need to do the job if they make the effort to defeat the people occupying the land. They are to check out the situation and prepare accordingly, to take possession of the land God promised them.
As usual, Moses quickly obeyed God’s direction and chose one leader from each of the twelve tribes. Numbers 13:3-16 gives the name of each man assigned to the task. However, only two men, Joshua and Caleb, will be long remembered as being faithful to God’s plan. Why aren’t the names of the other ten recognizable as biblical heroes?
It had everything to do with God’s part and our part. Let’s see what happened.
Numbers 13:21-24 tells us that the twelve men embarked on their mission to do as Moses had instructed them. During the forty days they were gone, they saw how productive the land was, the fortified cities, and the people who were living in different areas. All twelve men saw the same things, but not only two saw with the eyes of faith. My understanding of this situation was that God wanted them to spy out the land to prepare to take it as their promised possession. God’s part was to provide victory. The spies’ responsibility was to gather the information they needed, go back to Moses with their report, and prepare for battle.
Back at the camp, Moses and the people eagerly anticipated the report of the twelve men. We are not told who brought the report, one appointed leader or several, but it began well, with a gigantic cluster of grapes to illustrate, “We went into the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” Numbers 13:27. This must have brought excitement and applause from the congregation, but they are not finished. The crowd is quieted by the next word of the report, “NEVERTHELESS.”
What comes next are words of rebellion, faithlessness, and confirmed doubt. “The people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Amalek is living in the land of Negev, and the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea, and by the side of the Jordan.” There was nothing inaccurate or misleading about this statement. What was rebellious, faithless, and doubtful was the word preceding these facts, “Nevertheless.” While it is true that this is a beautiful, desirable land, flowing with “milk and honey,” the people are too strong for us, and we can never take it. We can’t do it. Numbers 13:28-29.
Understandably, the people were in an uproar upon hearing this damning report. Still, Caleb somehow got their attention with this passionate challenge, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.” Numbers 13:30.
Like the ten unfaithful spies, Cabel was aware of the challenges ahead, but he knew God was bigger than any challenge we face. He lived by faith in the God who keeps His promises, and was willing to put his life on the line and to fight for the land God had promised to give them. He understood God’s part and his personal part in making God’s promise a reality.
“Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. “Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” James 2:17. “Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” James 1:22.
What can you do to enjoy the blessings of God’s promises for your life? What do you do or attitudes you may have that can cause you to miss out on what God has promised to do for you? What are specific promises God has made that you need to claim, and what is your part in helping them happen for you?