And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs.
And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there Numbers 13:23, 27-28 ESV
Moses sent twelve spies to the land of Canaan, all of whom are chief among their clans. These were the cream of the crop from each of the tribes of Israel. They saw the same land, they saw the same produce of the land, of which they brought some home as proof. They saw the same inhabitants, but they brought home two different reports. The minority Joshua and Caleb, sees the land for what it is, a land flowing with milk and honey, and Caleb believes they are able to overcome it. While the remaining ten spies have focused their eyes on the obstacle before them.
Think with me for a moment, they actually brought home with them, a single cluster of grapes, which had to be carried by two of the men on a pole. How heavy is that for a single cluster of grapes. Either the cluster is filled with so many grapes or the grapes had to be gigantic in size to be tied up to a pole to be carried by two men. But the focus of the remaining ten was not the land but the obstacle that they will face to possess the land before them. Focus on the reward rather than the obstacles. See your inheritance, not the ones that comes in the way for you to possess your inheritance in God.
Trivia: Ask ordinary Christians who among the twelve spies gave the good report? Most of them can readily answer “Joshua and Caleb”. Ask them the names of the remaining ten? Nobody knows (or very little would know) and nobody cares. Why? They had the potential? They were also top notch in their respective tribes. They were top representatives, cream of the crop, but they dropped the ball. They were too fearful to take risk. They were to focused on the obstacle, they were too focused on what they are capable of and not on what God promised. 13 February
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