When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.” (Numbers 13:17-18)
The spies Moses sent into Canaan are blamed for stirring up rebellion against the LORD. Apparently their fear of Canaanite strength outweighed either their fear of the LORD or their confidence in the LORD’s power.
But it seems Moses bears some responsibility for the spies’ negativity. In the charge he gave them, displayed above, he asks if the inhabitants of the land are strong or weak. Why? The LORD promises to fight for them, so the power of the opposition is irrelevant. The potential upside of the spies’ assessment of Canaanite strength seems small, compared to the large possibility of their discouragement when reflecting on the might of their foes. In fact the spies do become discouraged. Except for Caleb and Joshua, they become defeatist. A rebellion ensues. If Moses had phrased his instructions differently, then what?
This story makes me want to be careful whenever I speak.
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