19 October Numbers 13

A Fear Report versus a Faith Report

Numbers 13:27-33 (AMP) “They reported to Moses and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does [a]flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. But the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified (walled) and very large; moreover, we saw there the descendants of Anak [people of great stature and courage]. [The people descended from] Amalek live in the land of the Negev (South country); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the [Dead] Sea and along the side of the Jordan.” Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it.” But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are too strong for us.” So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we went, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. There we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

In Numbers 13:27-33 , we see two contrasting reports about the Promised Land delivered by the spies: one rooted in fear and the other in faith. The fear report distorted the truth, while the faith report inspired immediate action and trust in God.

*The Fear Report:*

*The report was true (v. 26-29) but became a false report (v. 31-33) when 10 of the spies chose fear over faith (v.30) and spread it among the people.*

Initially, the spies accurately described the land as "flowing with milk and honey" (v. 27). However, fear twisted the truth when the ten spies focused on the strength of the inhabitants rather than God’s promise. Proverbs 18:21(NIV) reminds us that “the tongue has the power of life and death,” and by spreading fear, the spies led the people away from God’s will.

*Their view of themselves is less than God’s view of them.*

The spies saw themselves as grasshoppers (v. 33), belittling their own worth. Romans 8:37(NIV) says, "we are more than conquerors," yet they viewed themselves as defeated before the battle even began. Fear made them forget how God saw them”.

*Fear exaggerated the situation* (v. 32-33).

The report became exaggerated, stating that the land "devours its inhabitants" (v. 32). This exaggeration came from fear, not truth. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) “teaches that "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power," yet the spies allowed fear to overtake them, distorting reality”.

*Fear creates false assumptions (v. 33) “our own eyes” and “the same to them”*.

The spies assumed that the giants saw them as insignificant, projecting their own fears onto others. Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare," illustrating how fear leads to false assumptions about what others think.

*Their measure of strength saw the situation only from a natural perspective (v. 31)*.

They assessed the strength of their enemies without considering God’s power. Zechariah 4:6 NIV) “reminds us that victory is "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," yet they focused solely on physical strength, neglecting God's supernatural support.

*When fear is confronted by faith, it gathers support from doubt and insecurity* (v. 31-33).

As soon as Caleb spoke in faith, the other spies doubled down on their fear, bringing in doubt to rally the people against him. James 1:6 (NIV) warns that "the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind," which is exactly what happened as their insecurity took hold.

*Comparison (v. 33) destroys faith*.

The spies compared themselves to the giants in the land, which crippled their faith. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) states that "when they measure themselves by themselves... they are not wise." Comparison is a faith-killer, as it makes one focus on human limitations instead of God’s limitless power.

*People will suffer the consequences of the leader’s actions*.

The leaders' fear-induced report led the Israelites into rebellion against God, causing them to miss out on entering the Promised Land. James 3:1 (NIV) warns that "teachers will be judged more strictly" because their influence can lead others astray, as seen with the ten spies’ fear-filled leadership.

*The Faith Report*:

*Quite an unfavourable report* (v. 30).

Caleb’s faith stood in stark contrast to the fear of the others, despite acknowledging the same challenges. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) reminds us to "fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." Caleb saw the same fortified cities and giants, but his faith enabled him to look beyond to the unseen power of God.

*Take immediate action* (v. 30).

Caleb urged the people to "go up at once and take possession," showing the urgency of faith in action. James 2:17 (NIV) teaches that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Caleb’s immediate call to action demonstrated the kind of living faith that trusts in God.

*Take passion* (v. 30).

Caleb’s passionate response reflected his confidence in God’s promises. Colossians 3:23 (NIV) encourages us to work "with all your heart, as working for the Lord." Caleb’s passion was not based on human ability but on God’s faithfulness, which fuelled his zeal.

*Know that we can conquer* (v. 30).

Caleb boldly declared, "We can overcome it." Philippians 4:13 (NIV) echoes this confidence: "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Caleb knew that victory was not only possible but guaranteed because it was grounded in God’s strength, not their own.

The contrast between the fear and faith reports in Numbers 13:27-33 provides a powerful lesson for us today. Fear distorts reality, magnifies challenges, and leads to defeat even before the battle begins. It makes us rely on our limited human perspective, ignoring God's promises and reducing our self-worth. When fear takes root, it spreads quickly, creating false assumptions, exaggerating difficulties, and encouraging doubt and insecurity. This ultimately leads to inaction and loss, as seen with the Israelites' failure to enter the Promised Land.

On the other hand, like Caleb’s, faith sees beyond the physical obstacles to the victory that God has already secured. Faith acts immediately, with passion and confidence, knowing that through God’s strength, all things are possible. Caleb’s faith was not blind to the challenges, but he knew that the power of God far outweighed any opposition they could face. His report reminds us that faith is not just belief but action—a call to step forward in confidence, trusting that God will provide the victory.

In life, we often face situations where fear and faith are at odds. The key is to recognise when fear is distorting our perspective and to choose faith, remembering God’s promises and acting on them with courage. As 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Just like Caleb, we too are "well able to overcome" when we trust in God.