The Pulpit Commentary — Numbers — Section 180

11. prolongation of the Jordan valley southwards to the Red Sea. From Kadeeh the people can see, rising before them towards the north-west, the steep ascent which leads into the hill country, the destined inheritance of the tribe of Judah. The march from Egypt, including th_e twelve months' sojourn in Horeb, has occupied only sixteen month~; _yet. the tribes alrea~y _stand on the threshold_ of the promised rest, and Moses 1s lll lngh h?pes _that within a. _few weeks they will have taken possession of the long-ei.pected mherita.nce. In this chapter we see the first appearimce of the cloud which soon shrouded in darkness the fair prospect. Instead of going resolutely forward with the shining pillar of the Divine presence for their guide the people desired t~ have the land " reported upo1;1 " by chosen men of their ow~ company. These spies brought back a report which put the congregation in fear and they refused to enter in. Observe-- ' I. WHERE THIS PROPOSAL TO SEND FORWARD SPIES ORIGINATED. Thirty-eight years later, Moses laid the blame of it on the people (Deut. i. 22). He adds, however, that "the saying pleased him well," and that it was agreed to without difficulty, so that the statement in the tei.t which represents the LoiYl as directing tlie spies to be sent is quite consistent with the one in Deuteronomy. There was nothing in itself sinful in the people's proposal, and it received the Divine approval. Nevertheless, it was in the circumstances a doubtful project. It betrayed n lurking distrust of the Lord's promise and leadership. They wanted to see for thP.mselves before committing themselves further. Prudence is without doubt a virtue. Before beginning to build our tower we are to count the cost (Luke xiv. 28). There are times when this needs to be earnestly preached. Men are apt to make great ventures for the world, rushing forward blindly enough. But let these same men be asked to venture much for God, they will be sufficiently cautious. They will sit down and count the cost; they will have the land diligently searched before invading it. Men do well to be prudent, pro- '1'ided only that they do not leave God's promise out of their calculations. Where God's command and promise are clearly given, the greatest boldness is the truest wisdom. When Paul received the command to pass over to Macedonia, and plant the Church of Christ in Europe, he did not send over Timothy and Luke to search out the land 11.Il.d see whether they and Silas and be were equal to the work. Had he done that, he never would have ta.ken ship for Europe. Where God's command is dear, our 'Wisdom is to venture upon great things for God, and to expect great things from God. IL How THE PROPOSAL WAS CARRIED OUT. Twelve men were chosen, one for every tribe. These men, climbing the steep ascent from Kadesh, travelled through the thirsty south country (the Negeb) as far as to Hebron. From Hebron they went up by the brook Eshcol into the hill country, "the mountain of the Amorites," the long ridge midway between Jordan and the sea, which extends from the south country till it is Jost among the roots of Lebanon. Every step in the journey opened up scenes of beauty and varied fruitfulness which must have delighted eyes accus- tomed only to the monotony of tlie Nile valley. It was a land ii.owing with milk and honey. The proof of its fertility they brought back with them. The cluster from Eshcol declared that the land was one worth fighting for. A trait this which bas fixed itself for ever in the imagination of the Church. For are not these Eehcol grapes a figure of those foretastes of the Better Country which the :Lord grants his people here in the wilderness? No doubt there was much to be said that was lees promising. The country was exceedingly/opulous. The inhabitants belonged to many racee, and everywhere there appeare tokens of highly-advanced civilisation. There had been great progress since Jacob went down to Egypt. There was much, therefore, to impress the spies with ~ sense of ext~eme di!]iculty in the task lying before the congregation. But the spies eaw sometbmg which ought to have armed them against fear. They saw Hebron and that cavo hard by which contained the bones of Abraham and Sarali, of Isaac and Rebekah, of Jacob and Leah i the cave where the/rogenitors of Israel were buried, in the sure and steadfast hope that the land woul yet be the inheritance of their seed. They being dead were still speak• ing, and their testimony might well have put unbelief to el,ame. ru. THE TENOR AND El!'FECT oir THE SPIES' REPORT. On one point the spifla were unanimous. The land was good. Beyond tho.t there wa11 disagreement. 1. The majoru.v kept harping on the dillicultiee they had discovered-the walled cities, C,UB. XIII., XIV.] THE BOOK OF NUMBERS. 161