The Israelites make it to the land of milk and honey that God has promised them! Yes!!! The Lord begins the chapter by saying to Moses, “Send men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to Israel. Send one leader from each of the twelve ancestral tribes” (Numbers 13:2). Moses did what the Lord told him and explained what to look for. “See what the land is like and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls or are they unprotected? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there many trees? Enter the land boldly, and bring back samples of the crops you see.” (Numbers 13:18-20) They did as Moses instructed, and while in the land they took samples of pomegranates, figs, and a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it. When the men returned, they reported the land “...is indeed a magnificent country--a land flowing with milk and honey” (verse 27).
Wow...this is exciting! They are about to step into the Promised Land!
As they stood before Moses, one of the leaders, Caleb, wanted to go at once and conquer the land. However, others who explored the land with Caleb interjected, “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. We felt like grasshoppers next to them, and that's what we looked like to them!” (Numbers 13:31-33)
But you have God! What are you worried about??? It is getting good!
Wow...Giants, descendants of Anak! Sounds like more homework. Who is the Anak family/tribe, and where are those descendants now? As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.
Lord, Thank you for your Word today! Help us to be courageous--knowing you are always on our side, and help us be explorers, excavating your Word, so the scales can be lifted from our eyes. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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