This week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach L’kha (Numbers 13–15), tells the tragic story of the twelve spies sent to scout out the Promised Land. Though all twelve saw the same land flowing with milk and honey, ten of them returned with a fearful report, focusing on the fortified cities and the “giants” they saw there—so-called Nephilim. “We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes,” they confessed, “and so we were in theirs” (Numbers 13:33). This perception of weakness spread like wildfire, causing panic and despair among the Israelites, who then rebelled against Moses and even wished to return to Egypt.

The consequence? God decreed that that entire generation—except for Joshua and Caleb, who trusted in God—would perish in the wilderness, never entering the Promised Land. The blessings God had intended for them were lost, not because of the enemy’s strength, but because of their own fear and lack of faith.

The Inner Giants We Face

The story of the spies is not just ancient history; it’s a profound metaphor for our own inner spiritual journey. Every one of us is given a personal “Promised Land”—a destiny filled with purpose, growth, and divine blessing. But along the way, we are often confronted by metaphorical “giants”—obstacles, doubts, fears, and limiting beliefs that seem too powerful to overcome.

Just like the spies, we can fall into the trap of focusing on what’s wrong, what’s hard, and what might go wrong. And when we allow fear to guide our perspective, we often begin to “spread” that fear—through our words, attitudes, and decisions. Fear, like faith, is contagious.

The rabbis teach that the real sin of the spies was not their reconnaissance—it was their interpretation. Caleb and Joshua saw the same land but declared, “We can certainly do it!” (Numbers 13:30). Their trust in God gave them courage. The others saw defeat before a battle was even fought.

Today’s Call to Courage

This parashah calls us to examine the narratives we believe about ourselves and our situations. Are we seeing through the eyes of fear or through the eyes of faith? Are we magnifying obstacles and minimizing divine possibilities?

When we let fear dominate, we forfeit blessings. We stay stuck in the wilderness of anxiety, regret, or indecision. But when we align with God’s promise, like Caleb and Joshua, we rise above the fear and move forward—even when the path looks daunting.

So always remember… God is always good and the giver of all good gifts… The land is good…. The promise of our return and restoration is real and it is only your own fear and wrong thinking that can rob you of what good things God has already prepared for you!

May we learn from their mistake. Let us identify the “giants” in our own minds, confront them with faith, and walk forward into the blessings God has already set aside for us.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God” (Isaiah 41:10).

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Study by Rabbi Isaac. © Assembly of Called-Out Believers.
Website: CalledOutBelievers.org. Use by Permission