18 and have seen the land what it 'is', and the people which is dwelling on it, whether it 'is' strong or feeble; whether it 'is' few or many; 19 and what the land 'is' in which it is dwelling, whether it 'is' good or bad; and what 'are' the cities in which it is dwelling, whether in camps or in fortresses; 20 And what the land 'is', whether it 'is' fat or lean; whether there is wood in it or not; and ye have strengthened yourselves, and have taken of the fruit of the land;' and the days 'are' days of the first-fruits of grapes.
21 And they go up and spy the land, from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob at the going in to Hamath; 22 and they go up by the south, and come in unto Hebron, and there 'are' Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, children of Anak (and Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt), 23 and they come in unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down thence a branch and one cluster of grapes, and they bear it on a staff by two, also 'some' of the pomegranates, and of the figs. 24 That place hath 'one' called Brook of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut from thence. 25 And they turn back from spying the land at the end of forty days.
26 And they go and come in unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto all the company of the sons of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and they bring them and all the company back word, and shew them the fruit of the land. 27 And they recount to him, and say, 'We came in unto the land whither thou hast sent us, and also it 'is' flowing with milk and honey—and this 'is' its fruit; 28 only, surely the people which is dwelling in the land 'is' strong; and the cities are fenced, very great; and also children of Anak we have seen there. 29 Amalek is dwelling in the land of the south, and the Hittite, and the Jebusite, and the Amorite is dwelling in the hill country, and the Canaanite is dwelling by the sea, and by the side of the Jordan.' 30 And Caleb stilleth the people concerning Moses, and saith, 'Let us certainly go up—and we have possessed it; for we are thoroughly able for it.' 31 And the men who have gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for it 'is' stronger than we;'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 13:18-31
Commentary on Numbers 13:1-20
(Read Numbers 13:1-20)
A memorable and melancholy history is related in this and the following chapter, of the turning back of Israel from the borders of Canaan, and the sentencing them to wander and perish in the wilderness, for their unbelief and murmuring. It appears, Deuteronomy 1:22, that the motion to search out the land came from the people. They had a better opinion of their own policy than of God's wisdom. Thus we ruin ourselves by believing the reports and representations of sense rather than Divine revelation. We walk by sight not by faith. Moses gave the spies this charge, Be of good courage. It was not only a great undertaking they were put upon, which required good management and resolution; but a great trust was reposed in them, which required that they should be faithful. Courage in such circumstances can only spring from strong faith, which Caleb and Joshua alone possessed.
Commentary on Numbers 13:21-25
(Read Numbers 13:21-25)
The searchers of the land brought a bunch of grapes with them, and other fruits, as proofs of the goodness of the country; which was to Israel both the earnest and the specimen of all the fruits of Canaan. Such are the present comforts we have in communion with God, foretastes of the fulness of joy we expect in the heavenly Canaan. We may see by them what heaven is.
Commentary on Numbers 13:26-33
(Read Numbers 13:26-33)
We may wonder that the people of Israel staid forty days for the return of their spies, when they were ready to enter Canaan, under all the assurances of success they could have from the Divine power, and the miracles that had hitherto attended them. But they distrusted God's power and promise. How much we stand in our own light by our unbelief! At length the messengers returned; but the greater part discouraged the people from going forward to Canaan. Justly are the Israelites left to this temptation, for putting confidence in the judgment of men, when they had the word of God to trust in. Though they had found the land as good as God had said, yet they would not believe it to be as sure as he had said, but despaired of having it, though Eternal Truth had engaged it to them. This was the representation of the evil spies. Caleb, however, encouraged them to go forward, though seconded by Joshua only. He does not say, Let us go up and conquer it; but, Let us go and possess it. Difficulties that are in the way of salvation, dwindle and vanish before a lively, active faith in the power and promise of God. All things are possible, if they are promised, to him that believes; but carnal sense and carnal professors are not to be trusted. Unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God, magnifies every danger and difficulty, and fills the heart with discouragement. May the Lord help us to believe! we shall then find all things possible.