Burning Bush Blogs
Equipping Men with Biblical Knowledge and Leadership Skills
Category: Personal Study
Thread: New to the Bible – Geography of Israel
Post Topic: Milk and Honey and Spies
Post in Thread: #2
Previous: Promises, Promises
Next: Why God Chose This Spot
Scripture: Exodus 3:8; Numbers 13:21-30; Numbers 14:1-12
Key Verses:
Numbers 13:26-28
They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”
Numbers 14:6-9
Note on this series of posts
This post fits within a continuing series meant for readers who are less familiar with Scripture, but anyone can benefit.
Understanding the geography of Israel will aid in comprehending God’s plan as it unfolds throughout the Bible. This series of posts explores that geography by examining aspects of Israel’s natural features as described during biblical events. The posts seek to reveal larger truths specific to the geography while also diving into specific stories.
Today’s story illustrates the concept of a land “flowing with milk and honey.”
Observations
Context
- After escaping slavery in Egypt, the Israelites, led by Moses, had reached the southern border of the Promised Land.
- Israel was comprised of twelve tribes. God told Moses to send one spy from each tribe to scout out the land for 40 days.
- God had previously told them that the land he had promised to their forefather Abraham was a beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey.
- He told them he’d deliver the land into their hands.
- These same people would have witnessed the miracles of the plagues on the Egyptians and the parting of the Red Sea.
Notes
- Of the 12 spies, only Joshua and Caleb believed that God would deliver the land into their hands
- Ten of the spies gave a frightening report about the inhabitants of the land
- The land was indeed fertile as the Lord had said
- Even the 10 spies who were afraid admitted that the description flowing with milk and honey was apt
- A single branch of grapes needed to be carried on a pole between two men
Interpretation
Land Flowing with Milk and Honey
- Flowing with honey is symbolic of a land buzzing with bees, with an abundance of fertile land and plant life to draw nectar from
- This phrase is used to describe the land 14 times between Exodus and Deuteronomy alone.
- Flowing with milk is symbolic of a land where livestock could be raised and would thrive
Sea of Galilee, Leading to fertile Jordan Valley
The Spies’ report
- Regarding the land – luscious as promised
- The inhabitants weren’t going to give up such a land without a fight
- Ten spies saw the challenge through our frail human eyes
- Caleb and Joshua clung to the promises of God. They remembered how God had brought them out of Egypt.
Aftermath
- Upset at their unbelief, God would not allow the people to enter the Promised Land until the next generation
- Only Caleb and Joshua would survive from this generation to proceed
- The people felt remorse, but it was too late. They had fallen out of God’s favor.
Imagine…
Moses, having just stood up to Pharaoh, having witnessed the 10 plagues, having just led the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt, having walked on dry land through the heart of the Red Sea only to watch the waters swallow up the pursuing Egyptian soldiers behind, now gets this report from the spies. He’d have been all excited about marching into the promised land of his forefathers. The land God called “good and spacious, flowing with milk and honey.”
How deflating must the people’s lack of faith had been? How discouraging to hear God’s judgment: wandering in the wilderness for a generation.
Correlation
- Ezekiel 20:15-16 – God reminds how he didn’t allow the people into the land of milk and honey because of their unbelief.
- Amazingly, the Israelites still placed some belief in the gods of Egypt, where God had just delivered them from!
- Ezekiel seems to be indicating that God’s disappointment in his people ran deeper than simply their fear about taking the land.
- Hebrews 3:16-19 – this passage also refers to the Israelites’ unbelief, warning New Testament believers against falling into the same trap
- The reader is implored to encourage fellow believers in their faith.
- Perhaps if more of the spies had sided with Caleb and Joshua, the people would have trusted God.
Application
Geography Lesson
- Israel’s lush landscape made it highly desirable. God wished to give the best to his people.
- However, the inhabitants and invaders wanted this strip of land for themselves. It has been a hotly contested strip of land throughout history.
- Note – the landscape today is very diverse, with desert and mountains, high country and valleys, agricultural centers and more barren areas.
Generic Applications
- Fear not is the most common command in the Bible. The spies let their fear stop them from trusting God.
Personalize it
- Is there a specific fear holding me back from my walk with God?
- In what way can I encourage others to overcome their fears?
Bible study methodology adapted from Searching the Scriptures with permission from Tyndale House:
Swindoll, Charles, Searching the Scriptures. Tyndale House Publishers, 2016.