"And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored." (Num 13:26-32)


Information plus Opinion minus God equals Bad Report


The Israelites sent out 12 spies to check out the land. For Joshua and Caleb, they set out out for a strategy to claim the promised land. But for the other 10 leaders, they were looking for an excuse. Both the 2 and the 10 have same facts and evidences:


  1. The land DOES flow with milk and honey.

  2. It yields bountiful-looking fruits


However, they had differing conclusions. The faith-filled 2 were delighted to proclaim how God was so wonderful to give them such a big blessing. They were ready to take God on His word and conquer the land. They were so confident in God that they CAN do it!


The fearful 10 discouraged the people with their opinions: the inhabitants are powerful, the cities are fortified and large, and the descendants of giants are there.


They also exaggerated their words: the land devours its people, everyone is super-sized, we seemed like grasshoppers, and they 'looked down at us' as grasshoppers.


In the end, they concluded that they can't attack them, and that they are stronger. The 10 drowned out the 'promise' and they influenced the whole nation.


Information is good, as the 2 would use it for their success and advantage. But with the same information, the 10 mixed their opinions and they removed God out of the picture. They did this all the while the Pillar of Cloud was in their midst.


Information is good, and let us keep it that way. God always keeps His promises. He wants us to grow up, open our eyes to what He is bringing us into, and hold on tighter.


Information plus God = Miracle.


Like Abraham, we face the facts and believe in God. But when the facts looked too big for us, we cry out like the man in Mark 9:24, "I believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"