The Israelites Versus The Giants Of Canaan
Numbers 13 and 14

In the land of Canaan lived primitive giants known as Rephaim and they were the descendants of Anak. The size of these giants could be as big as 9 cubits long and 4 cubits wide (about 13 feet by 6 feet). The Israelites were just grasshoppers in the sight of the giants so you can image how big the giants and why the Israelites were trembling on their feet. The Israelites were making their ways to the promised lands of Canaan under the guidance of Moses. They reached the outskirt of Canaan and the Lord told Moses to specifically select only the leaders from the twelve tribes. Moses sent out the twelve spies with clear instructions on the types of reports to bring back to him including physical proof of the fruits of the land (Numbers 13:17-20).

After forty days, they brought back one cluster of grapes so rich and big that it took two men to carry this one cluster on a pole between on their shoulders as well as pomegranates and figs. The reports brought back by the twelve spies were negative and bad that they made the people trembled with fear of the giants. All except for Caleb who told the people that they should go forth and conquer the lands. But the bad reports so devastated the people that they wept and complained against Moses and God. They wanted to select a new leader to bring them back to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4). Yet, Caleb and Joshua tried to reason with the people to trust in the Lord who has delivered them from the Egyptians and who have witnessed the miracles of God (Numbers 14:6-9). They believed that God would deliver the lands and its people to their hands. This is tremendous faith!

What makes Caleb and Joshua different from the rest of the Israelites? What can we learn from them? Next parts will talk about it.