The story of Moses is filled with excuses. Right from the moment God called Moses to lead Israel, Moses was hard at work trying to talk God out of His decisions. However, one of the most dramatic excuses in the books of Moses didn't come from the prophet himself.
In Numbers 13, we see the story of a group of Israelite scouts checking out the land that God had promised them. It's important to note that long before Israel came close to the promised land, God told them a few things about it. We hear a lot about how fruitful the land is, flowing with milk and honey. But in Genesis 15, God clearly mentions that the land is already occupied. The presence of nations in the promised land didn't catch God off guard, so it would be ridiculous to think that God didn't already have a plan in place for dealing with these people. In fact, God let's His people in on that plan:
I will send my terror before you and will throw into confusion all the people against whom you shall come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites from before you.
(Exodus 23:27-28 ESV)
Despite all this, when the scouts come back to report on what they saw, they make all kinds of excuses. They acknowledge the fruitfulness of the land, saying "It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit (Numbers 13:27 ESV)", confirming what God had already told them about the land. However, this is the
only thing they say about the land. One little sentence. They then follow it up with a rambling string of excuses, describing in exaggerated detail how frightening the nations are. They say that these people are strong, they say that their cities are fortified, they mention how large the cities are, they talk about how they occupy the hill country and are spread along the ocean as well. Essentially, they're saying "yes, the land is good... but we don't stand a chance. Let's go somewhere else."
Then Caleb, one of the spies, start speaking some truth.
But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
(Numbers 13:30 ESV)
Caleb remembered the promise of God. He knew that if God promised it, God would deliver it. So what if there are some obstacles standing in the way? Was the Red Sea an obstacle when Israel was fleeing Egypt? Was the lack of food and water in the desert an obstacle? Sure, they might be. But God made a promise and He will always keep that promise. So He parted the Red Sea, and He provided bread from heaven and water from a stone. He overcame those obstacles in the past, so in Caleb's mind, it only makes sense to assume that God will overcome this obstacle as well.
There is no doubt in Caleb's words. He is very confident. He says things like "let us go up
at once." He doesn't want to wait. He doesn't see any benefit is sitting around and talking it over, trying to decide whether or not this is a good idea. God has already promised to give them the land, what more is there to talk about or debate? Let's go!
He also says that they are "well able" to defeat their enemies. He doesn't expect a nail biter. Caleb knows that God is with them, it's not even going to be a close fight.
What promises has God spoken into your life that you're afraid to take hold of? Be encouraged that no matter what obstacles you perceive, God has taken them into consideration and He will overcome them. His promises are true.
