Now they (the spies) departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” (vv.26-29)
The word nevertheless means “despite all of that.” At that moment, Moses, and every man of faith in Israel should have cried out and said, “Nevertheless nothing! How can one say, ‘We went to the land, found it good, and God’s promise true,’ and then say, ‘Despite all this…’?” It is hard to imagine a report more unbelieving and unfaithful to God than this; a report that recognizes the faithfulness of God’s promise, the truth of His word, and yet says, “Despite all that…”
God had promised this land to His people and their travels had now brought them to the doorstep of faith. All that needed to be done was to go in and posses the land. But because of their lack on faith they ruined themselves and their ability to live in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Courage in circumstances that seem to be overwhelming can only come from a strong faith in God. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who possessed that faith and believed God would deliver the Canaanites into their hands. Caleb – blessed forever! – commanded the people to immediately (at once) trust and obey God and to take the land, because God had made them able (v.30). It took great courage for this man to stand against the tide of unbelief, of doubt and “despite all that” attitude. Caleb had the spirit of Romans 3:4: Let God be true but every man a liar.
Unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God, it magnifies every danger and difficulty, and fills the heart with discouragement. But faith puts our trust in Christ, who dispels all fear. May the Lord help us to put our trust in Him.
The Truth: “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5)
