But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” – Numbers 13:30-33 (NLT)
When the twelve scouts returned back to camp after surveying the Promised Land, their report to Moses confirmed God’s word: it was a land flowing with milk and honey, a place of abundance and promise. But despite seeing the fulfillment of what God said was true, fear took hold of ten of the spies. Their perspective shifted from God’s promises to the apparent obstacles – the giants, the fortified cities, and the overwhelming opposition. “We are like grasshoppers,” they said, choosing to view themselves and their situation through the lens of their own limitations.
Caleb, however, saw things differently. He stood firm, encouraging them, “Let’s go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it!” (Numbers 13:30). Caleb trusted in God’s faithfulness and strength. He remembered how God had delivered Israel from Egypt and provided for every need in the wilderness. For Caleb, God’s promises were sure, regardless of how things appeared.
The contrast between Caleb and the other spies highlights the difference between human perspective and God’s perspective. From a human standpoint, the challenge was insurmountable – the inhabitants of the land were too strong, and Israel appeared too weak. But God’s perspective is not limited by human weakness or circumstances. Where man sees giants, God sees victory. Where man sees obstacles, God sees opportunities for His power to be displayed.
What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” – Romans 3:3-4
Romans 3:3-4 reminds us that God’s faithfulness is not nullified by human doubt. Even when people fail to believe or trust, God’s promises remain true. Just as Caleb saw beyond the giants and into God’s promise, we too are called to anchor our faith in God’s unshakable character. It’s easy to let fear and doubt cloud our view, but our circumstances do not change who God is.
Former Blackout Artist 