Meaning of Numbers 13:28

This verse from Numbers 13:28, spoken by some of the Israelite spies upon their return from scouting the land of Canaan, reflects a profound moment of doubt and fear that directly contradicted God's promises and their divinely appointed mission. The spies, sent by Moses at God's command to survey the land flowing with milk and honey, reported back not with encouragement, but with dire warnings. Their assessment focused on the formidable obstacles they perceived, specifically highlighting the strength of the inhabitants, the fortified nature of their cities, and the presence of the Anakites, a people known for their imposing stature and military prowess. This report immediately sowed seeds of discouragement among the Israelites, setting the stage for a critical turning point in their journey toward the Promised Land.

Context and Background

The Israelites had recently been delivered from Egyptian bondage and were encamped at the borders of Canaan. God had promised them this land, a land "flowing with milk and honey," as an inheritance. To assess the land and its people, Moses, under God's direction, dispatched twelve spies, one from each tribe, to explore it for forty days (Numbers 13:1-20). Their mission was to observe the terrain, the people, the fortifications, and the resources. Upon their return, ten of the twelve spies presented a discouraging report, emphasizing the challenges rather than the opportunities and God's power to overcome them. This verse is a direct quotation of their fearful assessment.

Key Themes and Messages

• Fear vs. Faith: The primary theme is the stark contrast between human fear and divine faith. The spies' report is dominated by their perception of insurmountable obstacles, illustrating how fear can paralyze and distort reality, making even God's promises seem impossible.
• The Power of Discouragement: This verse highlights how a negative report, even if based on superficial observation, can quickly spread and influence an entire community, leading to widespread despair and rebellion.
• Perception vs. Reality: The spies' perception of the inhabitants as "powerful" and their cities as "fortified and very large" was factually accurate in human terms. However, it failed to account for God's presence and power, which was the ultimate reality that mattered for the Israelites' conquest.
• The Anakites as Symbols of Opposition: The mention of the Anakites, descendants of Anak, who were giants (Deuteronomy 2:10-11, 20-21), served as a potent symbol of the formidable opposition the Israelites would face. They represented the most intimidating aspect of Canaan's inhabitants.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage serves as a timeless illustration of the spiritual battle that believers face. When we are called to pursue God's promises or step into new assignments, we will inevitably encounter challenges that seem overwhelming from a human perspective. Our tendency can be to focus on the "giants" in our path—difficult circumstances, personal weaknesses, or the opposition of others—rather than on the omnipotence of God who has called us. The spies' report is a cautionary tale against allowing fear and doubt to dictate our outlook and actions. It underscores the importance of trusting God's promises and His ability to empower us to overcome any obstacle, regardless of its apparent magnitude.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This event in Numbers is a pivotal moment that leads to the Israelites' forty years of wandering in the wilderness. Because of their collective unbelief, stemming from the spies' report and the people's subsequent grumbling and desire to return to Egypt, God decreed that the generation that came out of Egypt would not enter the Promised Land, except for Joshua and Caleb, who held a minority report of faith (Numbers 14:20-35). This failure to trust God had profound generational consequences, shaping the early history of Israel and illustrating the seriousness with which God regards faith and obedience. It foreshadows later instances where faith is tested and rewarded, and unbelief is disciplined.

Analogies

• The Marathon Runner: Imagine a marathon runner, exhausted and facing the final mile, seeing the finish line but also a steep hill in front of them. They can focus on the grueling climb (the "powerful people" and "fortified cities") and give up, or they can remember their training, the support of their team, and the promise of crossing the finish line (God's promise), and push forward with renewed determination.
• The Business Startup: A new entrepreneur might assess the market and see established, powerful competitors with vast resources ("fortified cities"). They could be discouraged and abandon their vision. Or, they could focus on their unique value proposition, their innovative approach, and the potential for growth, believing in their ability to carve out a niche, trusting in their ingenuity and resilience.

Relation to Other Verses

• Faith and the Promised Land: This event is directly contrasted with the faith of Joshua and Caleb, who declared, "The land we passed through and explored will become yours. With great pleasure, they told Moses, 'If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will eat them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.'" (Numbers 14:7-9). Their faith is a direct counterpoint to the fear expressed in Numbers 13:28.
• God's Provision and Power: The spies' report, while accurate in its description of human strength, is contradicted by numerous verses emphasizing God's power to deliver and provide. For example, Joshua 1:9 states, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." This verse echoes the sentiment that Joshua and Caleb advocated.
• Overcoming Obstacles: The theme of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles is recurrent, as seen in the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), where a young shepherd boy, relying on God, defeated a giant warrior. Like the spies in Canaan, Goliath was physically imposing, but David's faith in God's power transcended the physical threat.
• The Importance of Trust: The entire narrative of Israel's journey to the Promised Land is a testament to the importance of trust in God. Psalm 91:1-2 declares, "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" This ideal of trust was what the majority of the spies, and consequently the Israelites, failed to embody.