Numbers 13:25-33 - Let us go up at once

13:25-29

The spies were in the land for forty days. They reported to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of Israel “in the wilderness”. The Israelites were in a “bad place” (materially, i.e. in the wilderness, not spiritually, though as we shall soon see, they were indeed in a bad place spiritually). Their report had two essential aspects. The first was that the land was very fruitful, it was indeed flowing with milk and honey. The second aspect was that the cities were heavily fortified and it was occupied by powerful people. 

13:30-33

So the situation was that the land was fruitful, but there were many obstacles to be overcome. This is true of the Christian life, of gospel freedom. We are in a wilderness, but God wants to take us to a different place, to eternal life, to kingdom life. Kingdom life is indeed fruitful and is true life, but there are many obstacles. The driving factor in our life needs to be that it is God who has promised salvation. If we let our own weaknesses, or the circumstances dominate our thinking then we will be mistaken. We don’t ignore the circumstances, nor our own weaknesses and failings, but Christ is the dominant factor in our thinking. Caleb took this correct approach. He urged them to go up and take the land, but ten of the other men took the wrong approach. They let the circumstances dominate their thinking. They focused on themselves and the circumstances, totally neglecting God.