Weekly D'rash Shelach

This week, our Torah portion tells the story of the decision of the Israelites to rebel against the Lord and refuse to move forward to possess the land of Canaan. The result of this decision was that the entire generation that came out of Egypt would die in the wilderness. However, their children would inherit the land. The will of G-d is never thwarted by the rebellion of His people. But sometimes it takes longer and becomes much more complicated!

There seems to be a mix of emotions when they return with their report of the land. On the one hand, the land is filled with “milk and honey” a phrase meant to describe the fruitfulness and richness of the land. Normally this would bring joy and peace, and the anticipation of good things to come. It should have motivated them to keep moving forward despite difficulties. Unfortunately, we read that they were overcome by fear of the size of the people. Their fear drove them to rebel against G-d because they became convinced that they would die. Their fear drove them backward. They wanted to return to Egypt. Their fear drove them back to a desire for enslavement!

They never say in the text “we are afraid”, but that is their response—their emotional response to what they saw in the land. Joshua and Caleb respond to their complaints and say, “do not fear!” Were Joshua and Caleb not concerned about the size of the people? Were they cavalier about the situation on the ground? Did they think “no worries”, G-d will give us the victory? May I suggest that it was not so simple. Fear is a natural reaction to entering a situation that could be harmful to us. The greater the potential for harm, the greater the fear. To think that we should never be fearful is to deny part of our humanity. The difference between Joshua/Caleb and the rest of the people was that these two great leaders were able to think about their fear and remember the calling of G-d upon their lives and the Israelite nation. They knew that G-d’s desire was that they move forward and conquer the land, even if it was costly and difficult.

The point is that they could think and analyze their fear and did not allow it to control them. Their fear was neutralized by the knowledge of the promise of G-d. We have all experienced fear at one time or another. The question is not whether we have ever been afraid, but whether we let fear control us. We must be mature enough in the Lord to analyze our fear and know in whom we trust. Then, we may act accordingly and take proper precautions, but continue moving forward. Both Romans 5:3–4 and James 1:2–4 require thinking about how we are feeling. “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance” (Rom. 5:3); and “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2).

We should not deny the emotion of fear and sadness as we endure trials. However, as Messiah followers, when we stop and think about the work of G-d in our lives, the fear and sadness can be tempered by the presence of the Ruach. This is why Paul could talk about peace that is beyond understanding, and Peter could talk about indescribable joy in the face of great difficulty. Neither Paul nor Peter was cavalier about their difficulties or denying human emotion. They could put it in its place and keep moving forward and drawing closer to G-d in the process.

This is what G-d desired of the Israelites in the wilderness. It is what Caleb and Joshua were trying to explain to the people in the wilderness. Finally, it is what Yeshua says to all of us when He said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33); and “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full” (John 15:11). Let us move forward in peace and joy!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard