The report of the Spies

The Report of the Spies                                                                                               by Herschel

The Jewish people received the Torah on Mt. Sinai and were ready to enter the land of Israel. There was a consensus of opinion amongst the people that we should send spies to see if it was feasible to conquer the Land. Moshe knew that the Almighty's promise to give the Land included a guarantee to conquer it. He also knew in advance that it was ‘a good and large land, a land flowing with milk and honey’ (Exo 3:8). However, one of the principles of life which we learn from this portion is: the Almighty allows each of us the free will to go in the direction we choose. Even though one man and the Almighty is a majority, Moshe -- by Divine decree -- sent out the princes of the tribes (men of the highest calibre) to spy out the land.

Twelve spies were sent. Ten came back with a report of strong fortifications and giants; they rallied the people against going up to the Land. Joshua ben Nun and Calev ben Yefunah (Moshe's brother-in-law) tried to stem the rebellion, but did not succeed. The Almighty decreed 40 years of wandering in the desert, one year for each day they spied in the land of Israel. This happened on the 9th of Av, a date noted throughout Jewish history for tragedy -- the destruction of both Temples in Jerusalem and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain amongst them.

"And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (Numbers 13:33).

The Kotzker Rebbe said that the mistake of the spies was in the words "and so we were in their sight." It should not bother a person how others view him. (Otzer Chaim)

A person who worries about how others view him will have no rest. Regardless of what he does or does not do, he will always be anxious about receiving the approval of others. The new covenant tells us that our approval is from above and that we ought to concern ourselves about this, rather than desiring the approval of men! This does not infer a disdain for others or that we should disregard other perspectives. If people give you constructive criticism because of things you are doing wrong, you should appreciate the opportunity to improve. However, do not allow your self-image to be dependent on the arbitrary approval and disapproval of others.

If we make our self-esteem dependent on the whims of others, we give them power over us and it is a mistake to allow this. Instead, we should keep our focus on doing what is right and proper as revealed in the scriptures. Look up to the heavens and set your mind on the things above!

Col 3:2-4

2          Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

3          For you have died and your life is hidden with Messiah  in God.                                                                                                                           4          When Messiah, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

This is the image we seek, rather than having a positive self-image or being reliant on how others view you! The Chofetz Chaim commented, "When you view yourself as inferior, you will assume that others also view you in this manner. The truth could very well be that the other person views you in a much higher manner. As the Yalkut Shimoni states, "The Almighty said, 'Who says that you were not in their eyes as angels?' " (HaChofetz Chaim, Vol 3, p. 1060)

"And we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (Numbers 13:33). The 10 spies had no chance of a positive report for they viewed themselves as powerless, as tiny grasshoppers and the settlers in the land picked up on this and looked down at them with scorn.

In 1 Sam 17, we read that Goliath presented himself for 40 days before the Israelite army. Youthful David went to take supplies to his brothers and watched as the men of Israel fled from the giant. David saw Goliath differently to his brothers:

1 Sam 17:26

26       For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

42       And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.

43       So the Philistine said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44       And the Philistine said to David, "Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!"

45       Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the           name  of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

            46       This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand,

David, like Caleb and Joshua, had a different spirit and their source was in G-d. The peered through the eyes of the Spirit, saw the Land as it was and were persuaded that they could conquer the land because HaShem was with them. Their focus was on G-d’s promises and they derived their identity in the promises contained in the Word of G-d. Or, as Sha’ul expressed this in 2 Tim 2:15-16:

15        Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

The issue of self-image, while perhaps pertinent, pales into insignificance when compared to how G-d sees us! We do not need be ashamed no matter how others view us because we bear in us, G-d’s seal of approval – the Ru’ach HaKodesh!

The relevant issue for the spies – as it is for us today – is one of identity!