If we were to fear humans more than God, we could easily stray from the truth. The example of the 12 chieftains who spied out the land Jehovah had promised the Israelites clearly illustrates this. Ten of them feared the Canaanites more than they trusted Jehovah. They told the people, “We are not able to go up against the people, because they are stronger than we are.” (Numbers 13:27-31) From a human standpoint, the Canaanites were indeed powerful, with fortified cities and armies, even described as "giants." Despite Jehovah’s promise to give them the land, their fear intimidated the Israelites.

But why did these chieftains exaggerate the Canaanites' abilities, especially in relation to the Almighty Jehovah? Could it be because the Canaanites were militarily superior to the Israelites, with iron chariots, a significant advantage in ancient warfare? Joshua 17:16 mentions these “iron chariots,” symbolizing their technological edge.

Yet, the true problem was not the Canaanites' strength but the Israelites' lack of faith in Jehovah’s power. Joshua and Caleb, the two faithful spies, reminded the people that with Jehovah’s help, the strength of their enemies was irrelevant. Jehovah had already demonstrated His power during the Exodus and would continue to protect them if they remained loyal. Jehovah’s fame had already spread throughout the region, weakening the resolve of the Canaanites even before the Israelites arrived. (Joshua 2:9-11) Despite their military might, the Canaanites could not stand against Jehovah’s power and His plan for His people.

By doubting their ability to conquer the land, the Israelites left Jehovah out of the equation. The ten spies should have reflected on Jehovah’s past acts of deliverance, realizing that the Canaanites’ strength was nothing compared to Jehovah’s almighty power. Unlike the faithless spies, Joshua and Caleb sought Jehovah’s approval, confidently telling the people, “If Jehovah is pleased with us, he will certainly bring us into this land and give it to us.” (Numbers 14:6-9) Did the ten spies wonder or doubt if Jehovah was pleased with them?

We know that previously the Israelites had repeatedly rebelled against Jehovah and His appointed leaders, Moses and Aaron, often grumbling about their conditions in the wilderness. Could this consistent lack of trust in Jehovah’s provisions have led the spies to question whether He was still pleased with them? Previous instances, such as the golden calf incident (Exodus 32), showed that the people were prone to questioning and disobedience. Could this have contributed to the spies’ doubts?

Despite the Israelites' fear, it is clear they had forgotten that Jehovah had already proven His power by delivering them from Egypt through miraculous acts, such as the parting of the Red Sea. Caleb and Joshua encouraged the people to trust in Jehovah’s protection, emphasizing that “Jehovah is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Numbers 14:9) From Jehovah’s perspective, the Canaanites’ strength was irrelevant, as His guidance and power were far greater.

To strengthen our fear of Jehovah, we must focus on pleasing Him in every decision. (Psalm 16:8) As we read Bible accounts, we can ask ourselves, ‘If I had been in that situation, what decision would I have made?’ Imagine listening to the ten spies’ negative report. Would you have given in to fear, or would your love for Jehovah have strengthened your faith? An entire generation of Israelites failed to heed the truth spoken by Joshua and Caleb, losing the opportunity to enter the Promised Land. (Numbers 14:10, 22, 23)

For the minority who sided with Caleb and Joshua, being outnumbered 10 to 2 likely felt overwhelming and isolating. In Numbers 13:30-31, Caleb tried to reassure the people by saying, “Let us go up immediately, and we will certainly take possession of it, because we can surely prevail.” However, the other spies instilled fear by exaggerating the dangers, which led to a rebellion against Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. (Numbers 14:1-4) This likely created immense pressure for Caleb and Joshua, who had to stand firm against a majority who lacked faith in Jehovah’s promises.

This minority would have felt the emotional and social burden of holding to their belief despite the majority’s panic and dissent. Joshua and Caleb’s courage was rooted in their trust in Jehovah’s ability to deliver them. Despite facing possible physical harm from the crowd (Numbers 14:10), Joshua and Caleb remained confident in Jehovah’s protection. Their stand was a vivid example of loyalty to Jehovah, trusting in His promise even when outnumbered by those who lacked faith.

Through miraculous victories, Jehovah ensured that Israel would inherit the land He had promised them. The ten spies exaggerated the might of the Canaanites, describing them as descendants of the Nephilim and making the Israelites feel as small as “grasshoppers.” But think about this: believing the report from the 2 versus the 10 would have made you feel like a grasshopper compared to the majority, whose opinion had a Nephilim-like influence. This fear arose from their reliance on their own strength instead of Jehovah’s promise. The ten spies lacked spiritual insight, unlike Joshua and Caleb, who had faith in Jehovah’s promises. They did not view the situation from a spiritual perspective, which hindered their ability to trust in Jehovah’s guidance. Joshua and Caleb emphasized that “If Jehovah is pleased with us, he will certainly bring us into this land” (Numbers 14:8). The ten spies, however, were unable to discern Jehovah’s will and doubted His continued favor.

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)