Numbers Bible Notes: 13:1

The Fourth Book of Moses - Numbers 13:1-14:45

Num. 13:1-14:15 Rejecting GOD's Gift of Land (HBH) Somewhere in the northern Negev, close to Canaan, the LORD commanded Moses to send out spies who could ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of its inhabitants and prescribe a course of action in regard to conquest (12:16-13:2). The twelve, including Joshua and Caleb, traveled the length of Canaan (13:17-25) and returned with a divided report. The land was rich and fertile, they said, but the majority argued it could not be taken because of the superior might of its citizens (13:26-29). Caleb's affirmations of the LORD's presence and power notwithstanding, the people listened to the majority report and refused to press forward (13:30-14:3). The people rejected GOD's gift of the promised land.

Once more Moses' leadership was at stake. In fact, the people demanded that he step down in favor of someone who would guide them back to Egypt (14:4-10). His striking response to them - and to the LORD who tested him by threatening to destroy them - is remarkable. If Israel failed to enter Canaan, he said, the whole world would view Yahweh as unreliable (14:11-19). He had to pardon His people for His own name's sake if not for theirs.

Moved by this intercession, the LORD relented but announced to Moses and the people that they would not live to see the land of promise. Instead, they would die in the wilderness, leaving the promises of GOD to be enjoyed by their children (14:26-35). Only Joshua and Caleb, who had trusted GOD for victory and conquest, would see for themselves the land of milk and honey (14:36-38).

Having refused the opportunity to enter Canaan with the LORD, the people now perversely determined to do so without Him. Leaving the ark in the camp, they pushed north, only to be confronted and defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites of the southern hill country (14:39-45). Thus began their forty years of aimless wandering in the wilderness.

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

Num. 13:1-14:46\5; Josh. 6:1-27; 10:1-43 Resisting popular opinion,
LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS.

Joshua was continually confronted with various alternatives, and the majority of his decisions went against popular opinion. But on each occasion he called the people to put their faith in the promises of GOD, instead of concentrating on the difficult circumstances that they faced. The leader doesn't condition his appeal to the sentiments or moods of the moment. The spiritual advance requires faith, and unbelief never sees anything but difficulties. Unbelief sees "walled cities and giants", rather than the presence and power of GOD. Unbelief sees the obstacles, faith sees GOD. Joshua and Caleb were prepared to do what was unpopular and called the people to a positive faith. Both directed the people toward the future, resisting the adoption of a negative attitude and helping raise a new generation that would serve GOD in faith. (Judges 8:22,23; 9:1-57/Acts 13:1-3) J.B.

Num. 13:3 The desert of Paran: Cades-Barnea was the place where the encampment was situation, according to Deuteronomy 1:19 (see also Numbers 13:26). According to 20:1, Cades-Barnea was located in the desert of Zin. Cades was situated in both deserts because the limits of desert areas aren't well defined. Since Cades was apparently found in an intermediate zone it could be located in either of the two places. Princes of the children of Israel: Explains why such an extensive reference is made to these 10 personages; they were important leaders.

Num. 13:16 Oshea...Joshua: The original name means "salvation". Moses substituted it for that of "Jehovah (the LORD) is salvation".

Num. 13:21 From Joshua 13:5 we can deduce that entering into Hamath occurred in the north of Israel toward Lebanon. Apparently the spies crossed all that later came to be Israel.

Num. 13:22 Hebron is probably mentioned because it became Caleb's inheritance (see Josh. 14:6-15).

Num. 13:26-33 The optimistic note (v.20) was obscured by the unfavorable notices (verses 27-29,31-33). Only Caleb is mentioned. Joshua doesn't speak until 14:6. In the same way, when Jehovah chose the two envoys, in 14:24, only Caleb is mentioned, and later (14:30) he is mentioned along with Joshua.

Num. 13:28 Anak: See the note for Joshua 11:21.

LITERARY RICHES

Num. 13:30 we are moreable (KJV-are well able), yakol; Strong #3201: To have the ability, to have the power; the capacity to overcome or have success. This verb is used 200 times in the Old Testament. Generally it's translated in several ways, but all hold similar ideas. In Numbers 13:30 Caleb utilized yakol to indicate his clear and firm conviction that the people possessed all the physical and spiritual resources to achieve the victory: "because we are more able than they are".

KINGDOM DYNAMICS

Num. 13:30; 14:6-9 Faith when there are delays, CONFESSION OF FAITH. Caleb saw the same giants and walled cities that the other spies did, but the 10 spies returned to transmit a pessimistic "evil report". The words of Caleb proclaimed a conviction , a "confession", before all Israel: "we are more able than they are". He had examined the terrain, something that reminds us that faith isn't blind. Faith doesn't deny the reality or the difficulty: it declares the power of GOD.

There is a message in the response that rejected Caleb's report. Some utilize their confession of faith to create schisms, but Caleb remains faithful and continued serving for 40 years, alongside those whose unbelief caused a severe setback in his personal experience. How patient and how faithful! The fact that he finally achieved possession of the land at a later date, indicates that, although setbacks will come, the confession of faith will bring victory to the believer in the end. (Gen. 17:5/Josh. 6:10) R.H.

Num. 13:32 The pessimistic report wasn't faithful and discredited Jehovah's ability to free his people from danger.

Num. 13:33 The Hebrew word for giants is the same used in Genesis 6:4 (see note). Since they probably disappeared with the flood, now notice is offered about the ancestors of Anak.

Num. 14:1-45 This chapter narrates the two reactions of the people to the report of the spies that appears in chapter 13; returning to Egypt (verses 1-5) and killing the two envoys who had faith (verses 6-10). They were saved by divine intervention, while the people were sentenced to death (verses 10-38). The people then tried to invade the Promised Land contrary to Jehovah's mandate (verses 39-45).

Num. 14:2 Living or dying as slaves in Egypt was preferable to suffering the penalties of the desert, according to the complaints of the people (Ex. 14:11; 16:3; 17:3). Now dying in the desert seems preferable to dying in the Promised Land.

Num. 14:5 They prostrated themselves upon their faced: A sign of desolation or intercession by the part of Moses and Aaron.

Num. 14:6 Rent their clothes: A reaction of sorrow.

Num. 14:6-9 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.

Num. 14:9 We eat them like bread: Probably a reply to the envoys who had said, in 13:32, that the land swallowed its inhabitants. Their refuge: Literally, "their shade", a graphic reference to the idols of the inhabitants, which protected them from the inclemencies of the sun.

Num. 14:10 The decision of the congregation to execute Joshua and Caleb wasn't carried out due to Jehovah's intervention. Instead the other ten spies were executed by Jehovah, while Joshua and Caleb were preserved (verses 35-38).

Num. 14:11-25 Moses intercedes once again for the people (see Ex. 32:12-14). In verse 18 Moses cites Jehovah's own words (Ex. 34:6,7). The problem is brought forth of mercy and divine punishment. Both traits of Jehovah's character are affirmed, since the LORD doesn't disinherit Israel thanks to his mercy, but those guilty of having sinned must face the consequences (verses 22-24).

LITERARY RICHES

Num. 14:18 clear, naqah; Strong #5352: to free of guilt, absolve, cleanse, exempt, free: it also speaks of emptying the contents of something. This verb originally could have signified "emptying a cup or glass", but its sense evolved, and came to denote "dismissing every charge" against someone, absolving or cleansing of all guilt. The majority of the 40 references to naqah suggest cleansing or declaration of innocence. The adjective naqi means "innocent, impeccable, absolved". Naqi appears 42 times and refers to innocent people, innocent blood and all those who are exempt from a vow.

Num. 14:20 According to thy word: Demonstrates the intercessory power of the prayer that is based on firm trust in the Word of GOD.

Num. 14:22 Ten times already: Perhaps the ten shouldn't be interpreted literally, since it means "often" or "many times".

Num. 14:24 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.

Num. 14:24 He had another spirit in him: A reference to Caleb's attitude, not to the Holy Spirit.

Num. 14:25 By way of the Red Sea: The eastern arm of the Red Sea is apparently their destination, or rather, they go toward the Gulf of Aqaba, following a route from the north to the south.

Num. 14:26-38 Obviously, this passage repeats verses 11-25. The difference consists in that what is said in verses 11-25 is directed to Moses; in these verses, however, Moses and Aaron receive the mandate to speak to the Israelites to inform them of Jehovah's decision (verses 26-35).

Num. 14:30 See section 2 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.

Num. 14:30 See the note for 13:26-33.

Num. 14:33 Shepherding (KJV-shall wander): Alludes to the nomadic life style that they would have to assume, since they couldn't cultivate the land or tend cattle in the Promised Land, as they had thought.

Num. 14:36-38 The first of the unfaithful generation to perish were the 10 envoys who died as a consequence of the plague before the LORD, as punishment for the rebellion in which they played the lead while in the desert (Ex. 32:35; Num. 11:33).

Num. 14:39-45 When Moses complied with the LORD's mandate in verses 26-35, the people tried to penetrate the Promised Land in disobedience to the LORD and without His presence. They were then defeated and made to retreat toward Hormah (v.45). That place is unknown today.

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