What does it mean Biblically to “spy”? There are two words that tend to cover this concept:
H7270 רָגַל ragal (raw-gal') v.
1. to walk along
2. (but only in specific applications) to reconnoiter, to be a tale-bearer (i.e. slander)
3. (as denominative from H7272) to lead about
I. Spy: To be on foot walking through a foreign land in the sense of trampling.
II. Slander: To trample another with the tongue.
We see this in Genesis with Joseph and his brothers:
Genesis 42:9 Remembering the dreams he had had about them, Yosef said to them, “You are spies (ma-ragal-iym)! You’ve come to spot our country’s weaknesses!”
The second word is:
H2658 חָפַר chaphar (khaw-far') v.
1. (properly) to pry into
2. (by implication) to delve, to explore
I. Dig: To dig in the ground, also to dig into something as if searching.
II. Confuse: To be confused, in the sense of digging for understanding.
We see both of these words in play with regard to the spies Joshua sent to Jericho:
Joshua 2:1 Y’hoshua the son of Nun secretly sent two spies (ma-ragal-iym) from Sheetim with these instructions: “Go, inspect the land and Yericho.” They left and came to the house of a prostitute named Rachav, where they spent the night. 2 The king of Yericho was told about it — “Tonight some men from Isra’el came here to reconnoiter (la-chaphar) the land.”
Both of these instances carry with it the sense of secretly gathering intelligence to expose weakness. This is spy-craft 101. Seek to learn everything about everyone so you know how to manipulate or control them. This is so you will be the one with absolute power. You will then be a god over these people.
But something interesting is happening here in the Book of Numbers.
“Spy” here does not actually mean to spy in the negative sense. It means to meander about. It means to tour.
H8446 תּוּר tuwr (toor) v.
1. to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or reconnoitering
Tour: To travel an area from border to border.
We have two different concepts being presented here and this makes all the difference in the world.
To spy means to look for the bad in a place -- to exploit weakness. To toor/tour means to look for the good -- to encourage honor.
A tourist is not looking for the things that will make their life worse. They are continually on the hunt for the things that make their experience better. There is an appreciation for the differences between where they live and where they are. It’s these differences that draw us into that place to begin with. We know how life at home is but when we tour some other place we are continually seeking the better things.
Spies on the other hand, are searching out a place’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Spies are seeking weaknesses within people.
These men were sent to see the good in the land but instead they were more focused on the bad.
Moshe gave the following instructions to the spies:
Numbers 13:17 Moshe sent them to reconnoiter (tour) the land of Kena‘an, instructing them, “Go on up to the Negev and into the hills, 18 and see what the land is like.
Isn’t this exactly what we do when we vacation somewhere new? We pay attention to the people, we survey their environment, we tour the places in which they live, and we enjoy the fruit of their land and their personal efforts. Like any good traveler, we take in a few sites and eat good food. Immersing ourselves in joy -- taking advantage of the things that are commonplace for all of those around you.
When you return from these places, the stories are full of the experiences you had living among a land different from your own. The things that are commonplace for the locals are deemed a unique and wonderful experience for you. And you share that with others so perhaps they will also consider visiting that place themselves. This is not limited to exotic or luxurious destinations. Even a mediocre location has something to offer -- if you look for it.
This is exactly what these men were tasked with doing. Moses had been telling the people of a land flowing with milk and honey -- but he had never even seen it himself. He was trusting Abba that it really was as glorious as He said and these men were to go and see it for themselves. A second witness, if you will. This was meant to add value to the Children of Israel.
But these men misunderstood their role. They were never sent to seek out weaknesses. They were sent to bring back encouragement.
Tragically, however, self-preservation set in. And it cost an entire generation their lives. Men that sought to maintain their own lives in the wilderness exercised clouded judgment when it came to the promises of God. Either the call to be a true leader in a new land was too much for them, or they simply preferred their role in a lower level of leadership in the desert. Whatever their motivation, they chose to encourage others to ignore the promises of God in favor of what they figured was better.
On the testimony of 10 men, thousands of people perished. The ears of the listeners were filled with enough negativity for them to ignore what Abba Himself has said. The judgments of men swayed many. One man’s selfishness meant death to so many others.
The generational impact of a small group of “leaders” choosing selfishness over life was so great that we are here discussing it even today.
The names of these men echo throughout all eternity:
from the tribe of Re’uven, Shamua the son of Zakur;
from the tribe of Shim‘on, Shafat the son of Hori;
from the tribe of Yissakhar, Yig’al the son of Yosef;
from the tribe of Binyamin, Palti the son of Rafu;
from the tribe of Z’vulun, Gadi’el the son of Sodi;
from the tribe of Yosef, that is, from the tribe of M’nasheh, Gadi the son of Susi;
from the tribe of Dan, ‘Ammi’el the son of G’malli;
from the tribe of Asher, S’tur the son of Mikha’el;
from the tribe of Naftali, Nachbi the son of Vofsi; and
from the tribe of Gad, Ge’u’el the son of Makhi.
Selfishness brought death. Selfishness brought about a horrible reputation. Men who misunderstood their job in that hour -- all for the sake of their own lives.
Look back over the past year, the past month, the past week -- what have you seen? Do you continually look at situations and weigh out your own benefit before forming an opinion on whether it’s good or bad?
When you enter into a situation do you consider I or we? Is your motivation primarily rooted in how you are affected, or do you see your role in a larger context?
Most of us consider ourselves and ensure we are happy and filled, then we step into considering the benefit for others. If we’ve played our cards right, there will be plenty of overflow for others to look to us as “good” leaders. But we only tend to operate from a position of overflow. Us first, then the scraps can go to someone else. And they should be grateful for that, right?
We have been given a promise and Abba has sent us ahead to see the fruit of that promise. But if you go ahead and choose to report poorly because you see that your life and status may change, be prepared for death to swallow you up. And not just you -- but those around you, as well.
You have not been tasked with seeking out weaknesses. You have been tasked with seeking out strengths. No matter if you can benefit or not. But we don’t consider a decision that could impact us negatively, do we? Self-preservation kicks in and we do whatever is necessary to ensure we get to live the life we think is best for us.
This is one reason gossip is so dangerous. We put ourselves into a position of power over others because we have spied out the weaknesses in their life. We have the authority to cast judgment over them and we then show others we have this power. But what happens when you feed gossip? You bring death upon all those that hear. Unsuspecting people with no knowledge whatsoever about a person is given a tool of judgment. It is very difficult to unhear a negative report.
Despite the words of a few speaking in sharp contrast to the weaknesses, death camps in our ears nonetheless. You will have more success pulling your own tooth than removing a judgment planted through gossip.
The lesson here is two-fold:
First, we need to be careful in the reports we give. Understand why you have been sent ahead and know it isn’t for your own benefit. Your words without a corresponding action to support it is just a clanging cymbal. No one other than you wants to hear it, and any report that edifies you and your position above all else will bring death.
Second, be careful in what you choose to hear. Stop hunting for weaknesses in others and having that validated through rumors and gossip. Have the courage to stand in the face of those trying to sow death and choose life instead.
Your life and the life of those around you is in the balance so we must tread carefully. Keep in mind the final instruction Moshe gave to those sent ahead:
Numbers 13:20 Finally, be bold enough to bring back some of the fruit of the land.