“We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Numbers 13:1-33
In the journey of faith, there are moments when the path ahead seems uncertain, and the obstacles before us look insurmountable. It is in these moments that we must remember to walk by faith, not by sight. This principle is deeply woven into the narrative of Numbers 13, a passage where the Israelites stand at the edge of the Promised Land, ready to take possession of God’s promise. However, fear and doubt grip the hearts of many, except for two faithful men—Caleb and Joshua—whose courage and trust in God’s word shine as a reflection of Jesus, the true and faithful witness.
The Context: A Nation at a Crossroads
In Numbers 13, the Israelites are on the brink of entering the land that God had promised to their ancestors. The Lord instructs Moses to send twelve spies—one from each tribe—into the land of Canaan to assess its inhabitants and the land’s fertility. This was not an exercise in testing God’s promises, but rather an opportunity for the Israelites to witness firsthand the goodness and strength of what God was giving them.
However, when the spies return after forty days, their report is divided. Ten of them focus on the overwhelming size of the people and the fortified cities, describing the land as one “that devours its inhabitants” (Numbers 13:32). Their perspective is shaped entirely by what they see, not by the God who promised to give them victory.
But Caleb and Joshua see things differently. Caleb, in particular, is resolute: “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Joshua agrees, saying, “The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us” (Numbers 14:7-8). Their response is rooted not in fear of the giants they saw, but in faith in the power and faithfulness of the God who had led them thus far.
Caleb and Joshua: A Picture of Jesus’ Faithfulness
Caleb and Joshua’s courage in the face of overwhelming odds mirrors the heart of Jesus, who is the true and faithful witness (Revelation 3:14). Jesus, like Caleb and Joshua, faced the most daunting of obstacles—the cross, the rejection of His people, and the forces of darkness—but He remained steadfast in His trust in God’s will and promises.
Much like the twelve spies, the world often sees situations through the lens of fear and limitation. The “giants” of this world—whether they are trials, temptations, or societal pressures—can appear formidable and unbeatable. However, Jesus’ faithful witness to God’s truth reveals a different way of seeing. Where the world sees failure, He sees victory. Where others see despair, He offers hope.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
The contrast between the ten spies and Caleb and Joshua underscores the central lesson of Numbers 13: walking by faith, not by sight. The majority of the spies allowed their physical observations to dictate their outlook on the future. They saw themselves as grasshoppers in the eyes of the giants (Numbers 13:33), and their fear led to disobedience and rebellion. But Caleb and Joshua saw with the eyes of faith. They knew that God was greater than the giants they faced, and they were willing to trust in His promises, regardless of what they could see with their natural eyes.
This is where we find the parallel to Jesus’ role in our lives today. As our true and faithful witness, Jesus shows us a better way. He walked by faith, not by sight, even when it led Him to the cross. He trusted God’s plan, knowing that through His death and resurrection, He would bring victory over sin and death, even though everything in the natural realm seemed to oppose it.
For us, as believers, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, walking by faith in every circumstance. When the challenges of life seem overwhelming, we must remember that our trust is not in what we can see, but in the One who is faithful to His word. Just as Caleb and Joshua were confident in God’s ability to bring them into the Promised Land, we can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
Jesus, the True and Faithful Witness
In Revelation 3:14, Jesus is described as the “Amen, the faithful and true witness.” This title highlights the perfect consistency and trustworthiness of Jesus. Unlike the ten spies who allowed their fear to distort the truth, Jesus’ life and ministry were characterized by unwavering truth and faithfulness to God’s will. He walked through life with complete trust in His Father’s promises, even when those promises led Him through suffering and death.
For us, Jesus is the ultimate example of walking by faith, not by sight. He endured the cross, despising its shame, for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). His eyes were fixed not on the temporary pain of the moment, but on the eternal reward that awaited Him. Likewise, we are called to set our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and to trust in His ability to bring us through every challenge.
A Call to Faith
Numbers 13 reminds us that the journey of faith requires us to see beyond our circumstances and to trust in the One who has called us. Just as the Israelites were faced with giants in the land, we too will face challenges that seem too great for us to overcome. Yet, in those moments, we must remember the good report of Caleb and Joshua—the report that echoes the truth of Jesus. When we walk by faith and not by sight, we align ourselves with the true and faithful witness, who will never fail us.
Conclusion
As we reflect on Numbers 13 and the example set by Caleb and Joshua, we are reminded that our Christian walk is not about what we can see, but about trusting in the faithfulness of God’s promises. Jesus, the true and faithful witness, calls us to follow Him in faith, knowing that He is the one who overcomes every giant we face. Just as He remained faithful to His mission, we are called to remain faithful, walking by faith, not by sight.
Through faith, we can take hold of the promises of God, just as Caleb and Joshua did. With Jesus as our guide, we can trust that no matter how insurmountable the obstacles may seem, God is faithful to bring us through to victory.
