Christian Family Services Ministry

6-17-2023 – A Word to the Wise – What is an ancient example of a present-day problem encountered by the Lord’s children? Listen to the text and muse over its lesson for us today. Pay attention to the 12 spines sent out to prepare for the invasion of the Holy Land.

The spies give an excellent summary of what they have seen even bring back fruits of the land to show Israel. However, the patrol should have stopped their report at this point. What follows is commentary born of fear and anxiety gathered from their observations.

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” (Numbers 13:31-33).

Indeed, the land teamed with fortified towns and warriors who far out classed Israel. The conclusions of ten godless men, who had seen the Lord’s mighty hand in battle. Leaders, no less, of Israel. They represented the faithless nation as a whole. One needs to be careful about accepting the conclusions of others. The Lord’s people are to filter the information observed in their surroundings through the prism of godliness. Principles of scripture, godly wisdom and discernment are to be applied to the experiences around us.

Ten of twelve spies failed because they had learned nothing in the year of training provided by the Lord. It appears that leadership is the problem. The complaints and rebellion of the people are merely a reflection of the attitudes rampant among those charged with overseeing the needs, and education of Israel.

What did these men see that terrified them so much? The answer is the nature of the defenses posed by the inhabitants, and the size and strength of the enemy.

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What really frightens the spies are the Nephilim. Initial attacks would engage this enemy first.

The Nephilim are a people of great size. Just as footprints of huge animals in ancient times exist so do human footprints of great size. Evidently a whole race of men the size of Goliath existed in this time. Men upwards of ten foot high inhabited this area. The sight must have been overwhelming.

It is not that the spies gave a false report. No, they were accurate in sharing their observations. It is that they forgot who was on their side. Nor did they listen to the fear that the enemy had of them. The of a God a mighty God who had defeated the Egyptians.

The Hittites, Canaanites, Amalekites, all of the people knew Israel was coming and they were shaken to the core and well they should be. It is a paradox. The enemies of God are shaking in the wind from fright. God’s people are quaking with terror that they have to face the enemy in battle.

Why did the Lord send in the spies? It was not the Lord’s idea. The Lord simply told Moses to send Israel to take possession of the land. Moses in accordance with God’s instruction tells the people to take possession of the land that God had promised and then tells them not to be afraid.

The people, however, had an urgent sense of foreboding. Let’s send in a patrol so we know where we are going and the location of the towns, the people say. Then Moses agreed saying it seemed like a good idea. Moses, these people have not had a decent idea since they left Egypt. Why listen to them now?

The report of the ten spies indicates the real purpose of the people. They are fearful and they need to justify their fears.

Did the Lord intend to start at Kadesh-Barnea and little by little drive out the inhabitants. Yes, everything had been prepared. How was that going to be achieved? How Lord, are you going to overcome the massed phalanxes of the Canaanite? How will you stop the thousand chariots the Hittite will bring against your people?

Child what will the horses pulling the chariots do when I send hornets against them? Son what will happen to the phalanxes when the hornet infiltrates their midst.

The Lord had already fashioned a weapon against the enemy. The nests built. The ground burrows are already filling with deadly swarms. Now all is for not. Old plans scraped and new ones created. Is it not remarkable how the Lord has to change His perfect plans because of our indiscretions?

This situation is so much like we face today. The task the Lord has for us seems impossible, so we make excuses and fail to fulfill his request of us. Our world is being destroyed by gross immorality, crooked politicians, selfish leaders and a criminal element running rampant. We do nothing except complain. Perhaps the answer is to go back to sleep and ignore our responsibilities as watchman. Perhaps so.