פָּרָשַׁת שְׁלַח Parashat Shelah
INTRODUCTION:
Parashat Shelaḥ (Num. 13:1-15:41) contains the following sidrot:
Hundred-and-Sixteenth Sidra՚, the reconnaissance into Canaan;
Hundred-and-Seventeenth Sidra՚, the threat of destruction, and the decree of forty years wandering;
Hundred-and-Eighteenth Sidra՚, the grain-offerings and libation-offerings that accompany the sacrifices, the dough-offering, the communal error-offering, the error-offering for the individual, the man gathering sticks on the Shabbath, and fringes.
ANALYSIS:
Hundred-and-Sixteenth Sidra՚ (Num. 13:1-14:10): The reconnaissance into Canaan.
At the end of Parashat Bahaՙalotekha the Children of Israel journeyed on from Ḥaṣeroth and are now encamped in the Wilderness of Paran near the southern border of the land of Canaan. YHWH tells Moses to send twelve Nesi՚im, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. Moses selected:
Parashat Shelaḥ (Num. 13:1-15:41) contains the following sidrot:
Hundred-and-Sixteenth Sidra՚, the reconnaissance into Canaan;
Hundred-and-Seventeenth Sidra՚, the threat of destruction, and the decree of forty years wandering;
Hundred-and-Eighteenth Sidra՚, the grain-offerings and libation-offerings that accompany the sacrifices, the dough-offering, the communal error-offering, the error-offering for the individual, the man gathering sticks on the Shabbath, and fringes.
ANALYSIS:
Hundred-and-Sixteenth Sidra՚ (Num. 13:1-14:10): The reconnaissance into Canaan.
At the end of Parashat Bahaՙalotekha the Children of Israel journeyed on from Ḥaṣeroth and are now encamped in the Wilderness of Paran near the southern border of the land of Canaan. YHWH tells Moses to send twelve Nesi՚im, one from each tribe, to scout the land of Canaan. Moses selected:
Tribe |
Name |
Father |
Reuben |
Shammuw'a |
Zakkur |
Simeon |
Shafat |
Hori |
Judah |
Kalev |
Yefunne |
Issakhar |
Yig'al |
Yosef |
Ephraim |
Hosehe'a |
Nun |
Benjamin |
Palti |
Rafu |
Zevulun |
Gaddi'el |
Sodi |
Manesseh |
Gaddi |
Susi |
Dan |
'Ammi'el |
Gemalli |
Asher |
Sethur |
Mikha'el |
Naphtali |
Nahbi |
Wafsi |
Gad |
Gu'u'el |
Makhi |
These Nesi՚im are not the same Nesi՚im as those who were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. The Torah defines Nesi՚im as, "heads/leaders of the Children of Israel" (Num. 13:3). Therefore, each tribe would have a Nasi who was its tribal leader or chieftain as well as 'lesser' or 'junior' Nesi՚im. The Torah informs us that Moses changed the name of Hosheՙa son of Nun - the scout from the tribe of Ephraim - to Joshua. Moses briefs the scouts about their mission and tells them that they must report on the following:
i)the topography of the land,
ii)the population - strength and numbers,
iii)the fertility of the land,
iv)the cities - fortified or unfortified, and
v)whether it is forested or not.
Moses bids them to have courage, and to bring back some of the fruit of the land. The Torah informs us that the scouts set out at the time of year when the grapes begin to ripen i.e. mid summer. The scouts cross into the land of Canaan via the southern border, journeying through the Negev i.e. the Wilderness of Ṣin up to the hill country as far as Roḥov coming toward Ḥamath (modern day Hama in Syria). When the scouts reach the vicinity of Ḥevron they find there the ՚Aḥiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, clans of the ՙAnaḳites. The Torah relates that Ḥevron was founded seven years before the foundation of Ṣoՙan, which was the capital of Egypt at the time of the Exodus. The scouts arrive at the Brook of Eshkol [Clusters] and there they proceed to cut down a cluster of grapes attached to its branch. The cluster of grapes is so large that it requires two men to carry it on a pole. We are told that the place was named the Brook of Eshkol because of this event. The scouts also gather pomegranates and figs. At the end of forty days, the scouts return from their reconnaissance and come before Moses, Aaron, and all the Community of the Children of Israel at Ḳadesh in the Wilderness of Paran where the Israelites are encamped. They show them the fruit and report that the land is indeed a land flowing with milk and honey with goodly fruit. However, the people that dwell in the land are fierce; the cities are well fortified and large. Moreover, there are ՙAnaḳites settled in the land, as well as ՙAmaleḳites in the South, in addition to Ḥittites, Jebusites, and Amorites in the hills along with Canaanites by the coast and in the Jordan Valley. The people are mortified by the report and start to raise their voices. Kalev hushes them before Moses and says, "Go up - we will go up and we will possess it, for we are able - able to (possess) it" (Num. 13:30). Nevertheless, the other scouts contradict him saying that they cannot confront the people of the land for they are stronger than the Children of Israel. To accentuate their claim and in order to deter the people even further, they invent a lie. They tell the Children of Israel that the land is one that eats its inhabitants, and all the people that they saw were men of stature. They even told the people that they saw there the Nephilim, Children of ՙAnaḳ descendants of the ancient Nephilim (which is impossible since they died out in the flood) and that they seemed like grasshoppers when compared to the Children of ՙAnaḳ. "And all the Community lifted up, and gave fourth their voice; and the people wept on that night" (Num. 14:1). The Children of Israel murmur against Moses and Aaron, complaining that it would have been better for them if they had died in the land of Egypt or in the wilderness. Therefore, why has YHWH brought them to this land to fall by the sword so that their wives and infants will become spoils of war, would it not be better for them to return to Egypt? The people now want to appoint a new leader who will lead them back to Egypt. Moses and Aaron fall on their faces before all the assembly of the Community of the Children of Israel. Joshua and Kalev tear their garments as a sign of mourning and tell all the Community of the Children of Israel that the land that they scouted is an extremely good land, and if YHWH is pleased with them, He will bring them into the land and give them a land flowing with milk and honey. They then proceed to tell the people not to rebel against YHWH and not to be afraid of the inhabitants of the land for YHWH is with the Children of Israel. The Community does not listen and are about to pelt them with stones, when the Glory of YHWH appears to all the Children of Israel by the Tent of Appointed Times.
Hundred-and-Seventeenth Sidra՚ (Num. 14:11-45): The threat of destruction, and the decree of forty years wandering.
"And YHWH said to Moses, how long will this people spurn Me; how long will they not trust in Me, for all the signs, which I have done among them" (Num. 14:11). YHWH has had enough of the rebellious nature of the people, and tells Moses that He is prepared to do away with them once and for all by striking them with pestilence. However, He is willing to make of Moses a nation greater and mightier than the Children of Israel. This offer does not tempt Moses, who then proceeds to plead for the people:
"When the Egyptians hear, that You brought up this people with Your power from its midst. And they say to the inhabitants of this land, they heard that You are YHWH, in the midst of this people; that You YHWH are seen eye to eye and Your cloud stands over them, and in a column of cloud You go before them by day, and in a column of fire by night. And if You put to death this people as one man, then the nations will say, who have heard of your fame, saying. From YHWH's want of ability to bring this people, to the land which He swore to them; so He slaughters them in the wilderness. So now, please let the power of my Lord be great; as You have spoken saying. YHWH long-suffering in anger and abundant in kindness, bearing iniquity and transgression; but the guilty He will not clear of guilt, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. Please grant pardon for the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your kindness; just as You have carried this people, from Egypt until now" (Num. 14:13-19).
YHWH accepts Moses' plea and grants pardon to the people. Nevertheless, the generation of the Exodus who saw YHWH's Glory and signs, who "have tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice" (Num. 14:22) will not be permitted to enter the land only. YHWH tells Moses that on the morrow the people are to face about and journey into the wilderness by way of the Sea of Reeds.
YHWH informs Moses and Aaron that due to the continuous complaints against Him by "this evil Community" (Num. 14:27) all those who were registered in the census from the age of twenty years and upward, their corpses will fall in the wilderness. Only Kalev son of Yefunne and Joshua son of Nun will settle in the land that He swore to them, for they had both stepped forward demanding that the people trust in YHWH and take the land. However, YHWH will bring their infants whom they said would become spoils of war into the land and they will know it. Their children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, "and they shall bear your whoring" (Num. 14:34) until the generation of the Exodus from Egypt are nothing more than corpses in the wilderness. The people will bear their iniquities for forty years, one year for each day that the Nesi՚im scouted the land. As for the ten Nesi՚im who lied by delivering a false report, which resulted in the people rebelling, they died by the plague before YHWH. When Moses tells the Children of Israel the words of YHWH there is a great mourning amongst them. The next morning the people ascend to the top of the hill country and say, "Here we are and we will go up to the place which YHWH spoke of for we have sinned" (Num. 14:40). However, Moses tells them not to transgress the word of YHWH as they will not succeed for He is not in their midst. If they do try to take the land they will meet defeat, "For the ՙAmaleḳite and the Canaanite are there before you, and you will fall by the sword; for since you have turned back from (following) after YHWH, and YHWH will not be with you" (Num. 14:43). The people act presumptuously and ascend to the top of the hill country, while the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH and Moses remain in the camp. The ՙAmaleḳites and Canaanites who dwelt in the hill country defeat them in battle delivering a crushing blow; the battle took place near Ḥorma.
Hundred-and-Eighteenth Sidra՚ (Num. 15:1-41):
The grain-offerings and libation-offerings that accompany the sacrifices, the dough-offering, the communal error-offering, the error-offering for the individual, the man gathering sticks on the Shabbath, and fringes.
When a fire-offering is offered to YHWH whether it be an ascent-offering or a slaughter-offering, brought as an extraordinary vow-offering, freewill-offering, wellbeing-offering, or during the appointed-times, it is to be from the herd or from the flock. Each offering is to be accompanied with its own gift-offering and libation-offering, consisting of:
Per sheep:
Gift-offering - one ՙissaron of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil
Libation-offering - a quarter of a hin of wine
Per ram:
Gift-offering - two ՙesronim of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil
Libation-offering - a third of a hin of wine
Per young of the herd:
Gift-offering - three ՙesronim of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil
Libation-offering - half of a hin of wine
"The Assembly, one law for you and for the Sojourner who sojourns (with you); a law forever throughout your generations, as you are so shall be the Sojourner before YHWH. One Tora [instruction] and one judgement there shall be for you; and for the Sojourner who sojourns with you" (Num. 15:15-16).
When we eat from the bread of the land that YHWH is giving to us, we are to make a donation to YHWH - just like the donation of the threshing-floor. The donation is to consist of one round cake [חַלָּה] taken from the first of our kneading-troughs.
If the Community of the Children of Israel errs concerning the commandments that YHWH commanded through the hand of Moses, "and it shall be if from the eyes of the Community it was done by error" (Num. 15:24), they shall bring an offering. The offering is to consist of one young bull of the herd for an ascent-offering along with its gift-offering and libation-offering in addition to one hairy goat for a sin-offering. The kohen shall make atonement for all the Community of the Children of Israel who along with the Sojourners will be granted pardon; "for it was an error" (Num. 15:25).
If an individual sins in error, they are to bring a female goat in its first year as a sin-offering. However, the Israelite or Sojourner who acts with a high hand - reviling YHWH - shall be cut off from among his people. For they despise the word of YHWH and break His commandments - their iniquity is on them!
At this point we are informed that while the Children of Israel were in the wilderness a man was found gathering wood on the Shabbath. He is brought before Moses, Aaron, and all the Community, and is placed under guard since it had not been declared what should be done with him. YHWH tells Moses that the man must be put to death, all the Community are to stone him to death outside of the camp. The Community carry out YHWH's instructions.
YHWH commands that the Children of Israel are to make for themselves ṣiṣith[1] on the extremities of their garments with a twisted thread of blue entwined within them. The ṣiṣith serve as a visual aid to remember YHWH's commandments, "and you shall not scout after your heart and after your eyes, that you go a whoring after them. In order that you remember, and do all My commandments; and you will be holy to your God. I am YHWH your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be to you for a God; I am YHWH your God" (Num. 15:39-41).
TEACHINGS OF HAKHAM REKHAVI:
The truth was short and simple, "Go up - we will go up and we will possess it, for we are able - able to (possess) it" (Num. 13:30). The lie on the other hand was convoluted and full of obvious inaccuracies. However, it was the lie that was heeded while the truth was cast aside with impunity. Not only was the lie taken to heart, but also those who dared to uphold the truth where scorned and their lives where endangered.
The Children of Israel wanted the land of Canaan served to them on a silver platter. They did not want to work for it, and what's more, because they had the 'I want it and I want it now' attitude just like spoilt children, they lacked trust in YHWH Who had redeemed them from servitude in Egypt. This lack of trust in YHWH, which was tantamount to rejecting God, cost them dearly. The generation of the Exodus would not enter the land and their corpses would litter the wilderness - all because they honoured the lie of the majority and rejected the truth of the minority. The honour of entering the land would be granted to their children; all those under the age of twenty at the time of the Exodus. YHWH would find the next generation worthy of Him, and to them He would bestow His promise.
As the old adage says, "the easiest person to fool is yourself". If the truth does not fit our worldview, then we take on the lie which is more to our liking - no matter how preposterous it may be! We delude ourselves into thinking that our way is the right way. For to remove the blinkers and see the truth for what it truly is will take us out of our comfort-zone; and god forbid we should feel uneasy about things and ourselves!
We are living in an age where the lie is upheld and the truth is cast asunder. The lying scouts of today stand before us, their words are honoured just like those of the lying scouts who scouted the land. Their words cast fear into the hearts of the people dashing their hopes against the rocks of destitution. YHWH has no place in their hearts, no part in their version of the future of humanity. But YHWH is amongst us, His promises will be fulfilled no matter how fearful the future might seem, and all we have to do is keep His Torah, trust in Him and not heed the words of the lying scouts but those of the minority that speak in His Name. "How long will this people spurn Me; how long will they not trust in Me, for all the signs, which I have done among them" (Num. 14:11).
[1] צִיצִת - fringe, tassel, also a lock of hair on the forehead see Ezek. 8:3. In Aramaic צִיצִיתָא - hair on the forehead. צִיץ - 1. Blossom, flower see Num. 17:23 Aaron's rod 2. Plate of gold constituting the diadem on the front of Kohen Gadol's wound turban see Ex. 28:36; 39:30, Lev. 8:9.
i)the topography of the land,
ii)the population - strength and numbers,
iii)the fertility of the land,
iv)the cities - fortified or unfortified, and
v)whether it is forested or not.
Moses bids them to have courage, and to bring back some of the fruit of the land. The Torah informs us that the scouts set out at the time of year when the grapes begin to ripen i.e. mid summer. The scouts cross into the land of Canaan via the southern border, journeying through the Negev i.e. the Wilderness of Ṣin up to the hill country as far as Roḥov coming toward Ḥamath (modern day Hama in Syria). When the scouts reach the vicinity of Ḥevron they find there the ՚Aḥiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, clans of the ՙAnaḳites. The Torah relates that Ḥevron was founded seven years before the foundation of Ṣoՙan, which was the capital of Egypt at the time of the Exodus. The scouts arrive at the Brook of Eshkol [Clusters] and there they proceed to cut down a cluster of grapes attached to its branch. The cluster of grapes is so large that it requires two men to carry it on a pole. We are told that the place was named the Brook of Eshkol because of this event. The scouts also gather pomegranates and figs. At the end of forty days, the scouts return from their reconnaissance and come before Moses, Aaron, and all the Community of the Children of Israel at Ḳadesh in the Wilderness of Paran where the Israelites are encamped. They show them the fruit and report that the land is indeed a land flowing with milk and honey with goodly fruit. However, the people that dwell in the land are fierce; the cities are well fortified and large. Moreover, there are ՙAnaḳites settled in the land, as well as ՙAmaleḳites in the South, in addition to Ḥittites, Jebusites, and Amorites in the hills along with Canaanites by the coast and in the Jordan Valley. The people are mortified by the report and start to raise their voices. Kalev hushes them before Moses and says, "Go up - we will go up and we will possess it, for we are able - able to (possess) it" (Num. 13:30). Nevertheless, the other scouts contradict him saying that they cannot confront the people of the land for they are stronger than the Children of Israel. To accentuate their claim and in order to deter the people even further, they invent a lie. They tell the Children of Israel that the land is one that eats its inhabitants, and all the people that they saw were men of stature. They even told the people that they saw there the Nephilim, Children of ՙAnaḳ descendants of the ancient Nephilim (which is impossible since they died out in the flood) and that they seemed like grasshoppers when compared to the Children of ՙAnaḳ. "And all the Community lifted up, and gave fourth their voice; and the people wept on that night" (Num. 14:1). The Children of Israel murmur against Moses and Aaron, complaining that it would have been better for them if they had died in the land of Egypt or in the wilderness. Therefore, why has YHWH brought them to this land to fall by the sword so that their wives and infants will become spoils of war, would it not be better for them to return to Egypt? The people now want to appoint a new leader who will lead them back to Egypt. Moses and Aaron fall on their faces before all the assembly of the Community of the Children of Israel. Joshua and Kalev tear their garments as a sign of mourning and tell all the Community of the Children of Israel that the land that they scouted is an extremely good land, and if YHWH is pleased with them, He will bring them into the land and give them a land flowing with milk and honey. They then proceed to tell the people not to rebel against YHWH and not to be afraid of the inhabitants of the land for YHWH is with the Children of Israel. The Community does not listen and are about to pelt them with stones, when the Glory of YHWH appears to all the Children of Israel by the Tent of Appointed Times.
Hundred-and-Seventeenth Sidra՚ (Num. 14:11-45): The threat of destruction, and the decree of forty years wandering.
"And YHWH said to Moses, how long will this people spurn Me; how long will they not trust in Me, for all the signs, which I have done among them" (Num. 14:11). YHWH has had enough of the rebellious nature of the people, and tells Moses that He is prepared to do away with them once and for all by striking them with pestilence. However, He is willing to make of Moses a nation greater and mightier than the Children of Israel. This offer does not tempt Moses, who then proceeds to plead for the people:
"When the Egyptians hear, that You brought up this people with Your power from its midst. And they say to the inhabitants of this land, they heard that You are YHWH, in the midst of this people; that You YHWH are seen eye to eye and Your cloud stands over them, and in a column of cloud You go before them by day, and in a column of fire by night. And if You put to death this people as one man, then the nations will say, who have heard of your fame, saying. From YHWH's want of ability to bring this people, to the land which He swore to them; so He slaughters them in the wilderness. So now, please let the power of my Lord be great; as You have spoken saying. YHWH long-suffering in anger and abundant in kindness, bearing iniquity and transgression; but the guilty He will not clear of guilt, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation. Please grant pardon for the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your kindness; just as You have carried this people, from Egypt until now" (Num. 14:13-19).
YHWH accepts Moses' plea and grants pardon to the people. Nevertheless, the generation of the Exodus who saw YHWH's Glory and signs, who "have tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice" (Num. 14:22) will not be permitted to enter the land only. YHWH tells Moses that on the morrow the people are to face about and journey into the wilderness by way of the Sea of Reeds.
YHWH informs Moses and Aaron that due to the continuous complaints against Him by "this evil Community" (Num. 14:27) all those who were registered in the census from the age of twenty years and upward, their corpses will fall in the wilderness. Only Kalev son of Yefunne and Joshua son of Nun will settle in the land that He swore to them, for they had both stepped forward demanding that the people trust in YHWH and take the land. However, YHWH will bring their infants whom they said would become spoils of war into the land and they will know it. Their children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, "and they shall bear your whoring" (Num. 14:34) until the generation of the Exodus from Egypt are nothing more than corpses in the wilderness. The people will bear their iniquities for forty years, one year for each day that the Nesi՚im scouted the land. As for the ten Nesi՚im who lied by delivering a false report, which resulted in the people rebelling, they died by the plague before YHWH. When Moses tells the Children of Israel the words of YHWH there is a great mourning amongst them. The next morning the people ascend to the top of the hill country and say, "Here we are and we will go up to the place which YHWH spoke of for we have sinned" (Num. 14:40). However, Moses tells them not to transgress the word of YHWH as they will not succeed for He is not in their midst. If they do try to take the land they will meet defeat, "For the ՙAmaleḳite and the Canaanite are there before you, and you will fall by the sword; for since you have turned back from (following) after YHWH, and YHWH will not be with you" (Num. 14:43). The people act presumptuously and ascend to the top of the hill country, while the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH and Moses remain in the camp. The ՙAmaleḳites and Canaanites who dwelt in the hill country defeat them in battle delivering a crushing blow; the battle took place near Ḥorma.
Hundred-and-Eighteenth Sidra՚ (Num. 15:1-41):
The grain-offerings and libation-offerings that accompany the sacrifices, the dough-offering, the communal error-offering, the error-offering for the individual, the man gathering sticks on the Shabbath, and fringes.
When a fire-offering is offered to YHWH whether it be an ascent-offering or a slaughter-offering, brought as an extraordinary vow-offering, freewill-offering, wellbeing-offering, or during the appointed-times, it is to be from the herd or from the flock. Each offering is to be accompanied with its own gift-offering and libation-offering, consisting of:
Per sheep:
Gift-offering - one ՙissaron of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil
Libation-offering - a quarter of a hin of wine
Per ram:
Gift-offering - two ՙesronim of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil
Libation-offering - a third of a hin of wine
Per young of the herd:
Gift-offering - three ՙesronim of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil
Libation-offering - half of a hin of wine
"The Assembly, one law for you and for the Sojourner who sojourns (with you); a law forever throughout your generations, as you are so shall be the Sojourner before YHWH. One Tora [instruction] and one judgement there shall be for you; and for the Sojourner who sojourns with you" (Num. 15:15-16).
When we eat from the bread of the land that YHWH is giving to us, we are to make a donation to YHWH - just like the donation of the threshing-floor. The donation is to consist of one round cake [חַלָּה] taken from the first of our kneading-troughs.
If the Community of the Children of Israel errs concerning the commandments that YHWH commanded through the hand of Moses, "and it shall be if from the eyes of the Community it was done by error" (Num. 15:24), they shall bring an offering. The offering is to consist of one young bull of the herd for an ascent-offering along with its gift-offering and libation-offering in addition to one hairy goat for a sin-offering. The kohen shall make atonement for all the Community of the Children of Israel who along with the Sojourners will be granted pardon; "for it was an error" (Num. 15:25).
If an individual sins in error, they are to bring a female goat in its first year as a sin-offering. However, the Israelite or Sojourner who acts with a high hand - reviling YHWH - shall be cut off from among his people. For they despise the word of YHWH and break His commandments - their iniquity is on them!
At this point we are informed that while the Children of Israel were in the wilderness a man was found gathering wood on the Shabbath. He is brought before Moses, Aaron, and all the Community, and is placed under guard since it had not been declared what should be done with him. YHWH tells Moses that the man must be put to death, all the Community are to stone him to death outside of the camp. The Community carry out YHWH's instructions.
YHWH commands that the Children of Israel are to make for themselves ṣiṣith[1] on the extremities of their garments with a twisted thread of blue entwined within them. The ṣiṣith serve as a visual aid to remember YHWH's commandments, "and you shall not scout after your heart and after your eyes, that you go a whoring after them. In order that you remember, and do all My commandments; and you will be holy to your God. I am YHWH your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, to be to you for a God; I am YHWH your God" (Num. 15:39-41).
TEACHINGS OF HAKHAM REKHAVI:
The truth was short and simple, "Go up - we will go up and we will possess it, for we are able - able to (possess) it" (Num. 13:30). The lie on the other hand was convoluted and full of obvious inaccuracies. However, it was the lie that was heeded while the truth was cast aside with impunity. Not only was the lie taken to heart, but also those who dared to uphold the truth where scorned and their lives where endangered.
The Children of Israel wanted the land of Canaan served to them on a silver platter. They did not want to work for it, and what's more, because they had the 'I want it and I want it now' attitude just like spoilt children, they lacked trust in YHWH Who had redeemed them from servitude in Egypt. This lack of trust in YHWH, which was tantamount to rejecting God, cost them dearly. The generation of the Exodus would not enter the land and their corpses would litter the wilderness - all because they honoured the lie of the majority and rejected the truth of the minority. The honour of entering the land would be granted to their children; all those under the age of twenty at the time of the Exodus. YHWH would find the next generation worthy of Him, and to them He would bestow His promise.
As the old adage says, "the easiest person to fool is yourself". If the truth does not fit our worldview, then we take on the lie which is more to our liking - no matter how preposterous it may be! We delude ourselves into thinking that our way is the right way. For to remove the blinkers and see the truth for what it truly is will take us out of our comfort-zone; and god forbid we should feel uneasy about things and ourselves!
We are living in an age where the lie is upheld and the truth is cast asunder. The lying scouts of today stand before us, their words are honoured just like those of the lying scouts who scouted the land. Their words cast fear into the hearts of the people dashing their hopes against the rocks of destitution. YHWH has no place in their hearts, no part in their version of the future of humanity. But YHWH is amongst us, His promises will be fulfilled no matter how fearful the future might seem, and all we have to do is keep His Torah, trust in Him and not heed the words of the lying scouts but those of the minority that speak in His Name. "How long will this people spurn Me; how long will they not trust in Me, for all the signs, which I have done among them" (Num. 14:11).
[1] צִיצִת - fringe, tassel, also a lock of hair on the forehead see Ezek. 8:3. In Aramaic צִיצִיתָא - hair on the forehead. צִיץ - 1. Blossom, flower see Num. 17:23 Aaron's rod 2. Plate of gold constituting the diadem on the front of Kohen Gadol's wound turban see Ex. 28:36; 39:30, Lev. 8:9.
