Numbers 13:30 AMP
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.”
When the LORD spoke to Moses saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel…” (Num 13:2 ESV), one is left to wonder what the all-knowing and all-seeing God was up to. Why did He tell Moses to send spies instead of just reporting to him what was there? Well, there is nothing God does just for the sake of it; He has a purpose in all He does. When the spies returned after seeing the same things, two different and conflicting reports were presented: one encouraging but the other completely discouraging.
By telling Moses to send the spies instead of informing him of what was in Canaan, the LORD would reveal to them how they had never believed in His promises, but allowed themselves to be moved by things that physically surrounded them. By that time, indeed, all of Israel knew that it was God’s will for them to possess the “…good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exo 3:8 ESV). Thus, when most of the spies had advised, saying, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are” (Num 13:31 ESV), it was, in effect, disbelief in God’s word.
Thankfully, Joshua and Caleb advised differently: “Let us go up at once and take possession of it; for we will certainly conquer it”, as in our reference text. Certainly, the LORD was displeased by the negative report and immediately asked Moses, “How long will this people…not believe in me, despite all the signs that I have done among them?” (Num 14:11 ESV). That was quite revealing! Beloved, may God’s promises in His Word hold you firm in faith. Regardless of what has presented itself before your eyes, choose to see only God through His Word. Any other report will definitely give way to the superior report of the LORD. Hallelujah!
Pst. Emmanuel