The Lord Is With Us: Fear Them Not (An article by Christian Henry)

AUGUST 10, 2023

“And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” (Numbers 14:7-9)

These three verses serve as the climax to events that begin in the previous chapter. At God’s direction, Moses sends a collection of spies (one from each tribe) to spy out the promised land of Canaan. He tells them to study the land diligently: observing the will of the people who live there, whether it be weak or strong, as well as the productivity of it. He also asks them to bring back some of the land’s fruit.

After 40 days, the spies return with their report and the fruit they gathered. Most spies agree they shouldn’t try to conquer the land because the people there are very strong. But Caleb (the son of Jephunneh) is the first to object, saying that he is sure they can take the land, but his objections fall on deaf ears as the rest of the spies don’t want the headache of taking it. The Israelites are immediately frightened and plan to appoint a new leader and retreat to Egypt. However, Joshua (the son of Nun and future leader of the nation) stands up and affirms Caleb’s stance in today’s verses. He and Caleb confirm that the land is indeed good, flowing with milk and honey. They, then, tell the people that they have nothing to fear because if God delights in them, they will take the land- refuting the advice of the other ten spies.

We now know that this Joshua would go on to be the titular character of the book bearing his name, where the Israelites would indeed conquer the land of Canaan. He will employ this same attitude of “the Lord is with us: fear them not” throughout the conquest.

The apostle Paul details a similar thought in his letter to the Romans: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31) He speaks from the perspective of saved Christian believers as references here to “us,” or “we,” are not inclusive of the entire human race, but only those who have accepted Christ in faith. What a unique and life-changing thought. The true God, the Creator of all things, is for us. With Him for us, who could ever possibly hope to oppose us? Anyone could try, but Paul’s real question is: What could anyone against us ever hope to accomplish in opposition if God Himself is for us?

Although centuries separate these writings (Numbers and Romans), it is breathtaking how similar these thoughts are, although phrased differently. We need to hold on to the same truth that Joshua, Caleb, and Paul had: if God is on our side, we will not fear.