By Kim Curry
Hear:
Numbers 13:17-21
When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath.
Numbers 13: 23-25
When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
Numbers 13:31-33
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Pause:
Sit still for a few moments and allow God to speak to you through the passage.
For Everyone:
God had promised the Israelites that He was going to lead them to a land that was awesome. It would already have houses, farms, and vineyards. There would be wells for water, and fences for their livestock. They were going to be able to move in and have a wonderful time.
When they neared the promised land they knew there were already people living there. Moses decided to send spies into the land to see where the roads were, where the cities were. They were going to do “recon”.
So Moses sent several groups of two into the land and they were to come back with a report?
They came back with a report and they all saw giants.
But they didn’t all see the same kind of giants.
Some saw giant people, they said they were very big and scary.
They told Moses and the people that they couldn’t possibly take over this land, they would be wiped out.
Some saw giant grapes, uvas gigantes. They were so big that it took two men and a pole to carry them back. They thought the new land was great. Even better than they could imagine. They encouraged the Israelites to have courage, that they could trust God and He would keep them safe. They couldn’t wait to get moving.
What would you have seen if you had been one of the spies?
Would you see giant soldiers or giant grapes?
Would you be afraid or would you trust that God would keep His word?
Wonder:
What is a giant?
Are you afraid of giants? Why?
Why did Moses send the spies into the land?
If you were one of those spies, what would you look for?
What different kinds of giants did they see in the land?
What did the spies that saw the giant people say about them? (We looked like grasshoppers)?
How did they feel about going into the new land to live there?
Have you ever been afraid to move somewhere new?
How did God feel about those that were afraid to trust and follow Him?
Challenge:
Do you believe God keeps His word?
What giants are you facing today?
About the Author:
Kim Curry is currently serving as Deacon Chair at First Baptist Church Weslaco. During the COVID-19 restrictions, Kim’s Multi-Generational Sunday School class has thrived via a conference call format at 9:45 am on Sundays. Contact Kim at 956-373-0988 if you would like to join the class.