Numbers 13:31-33
v. 31: The other spies disagreed with Caleb. They insisted that the Israelites could not defeat the people of Canaan because they were too strong (Num. 13:31 a). v. 32: The majority of the spies gave a negative report about the land. They said it was a land that “eats up its inhabitants,” hinting that it was dangerous or unhealthy. They also kept mentioning the giants to make the people more afraid (Num. 13:32 b). v. 33: The spies described the giants, the sons of Anak, and said that next to them, they felt as small as grasshoppers. They said the giants looked down on them with scorn (Num. 13:33; Job 39:20 c).Summary and Lessons: Even though Israel was a large and organized nation with many soldiers, they allowed fear and unbelief to control them. They forgot that God had already helped them win against stronger enemies, like the Egyptians and the Amalekites, and had given direct promises of victory (Gen. 15:18; 17:8; Exod. 33:2 d; Exod. 23:30 e). By refusing to trust God, they doubted His power and promises (Ps. 106:24 f). But Caleb and Joshua showed true faith and courage, reminding us that “the righteous are bold as a lion,” and that faith in God makes all things possible (Prov. 28:1; Mark 9:23 g).
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