Parashat Shelach (שְׁלַח – “Send”)

Numbers 13:1–15:41

1. The Spies Are Sent (Numbers 13:1–20)

• At God’s instruction (and Deuteronomy 1:22 suggests at the people's request), twelve leaders—one from each tribe—are sent to scout the Promised Land.

• They are told to evaluate the land’s people, cities, produce, and whether the inhabitants are strong or weak.

• Moses instructs them to bring back fruit from the land, as it was the season of first ripe grapes.

2. The Spies Return and Give a Bad Report (Numbers 13:21–33)

• After forty days, the spies return with a cluster of grapes so large it takes two men to carry it (Num. 13:23).

• Despite the land’s beauty and fruitfulness, ten spies report fear and defeat, describing giants (the Nephilim) and fortified cities.

• Only Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust God and take the land:

  “We should go up and take possession… for we can certainly do it.” (Num. 13:30)

• The people, however, panic, believing they are grasshoppers in the eyes of the giants.

3. Israel Rebels and Weeps (Numbers 14:1–10)

• The people weep, grumble, and even propose choosing a new leader to return to Egypt.

• Joshua and Caleb tear their clothes and plead:

  “The Lord is with us. Do not fear them!”(Num. 14:9)

• But the people threaten to stone them. God's glory appears at the Tent of Meeting in response.

4. God Judges the Generation (Numbers 14:11–38)

• God threatens to destroy the nation and begin anew with Moses.

• Moses intercedes, appealing to God's mercy and reputation among the nations:

  “The Lord is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness…”(Num. 14:18)

• God pardons, but decrees that all those 20 and older (except Caleb and Joshua) will die in the wilderness.

• The people will wander for 40 years, one year for each day the spies spent in Canaan.

  
  

5. The Presumptuous Invasion Fails (Numbers 14:39–45)

• In remorse, some Israelites attempt to go up and fight, but Moses warns them that God will not be with them.

• They go anyway and are defeated by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

6. Laws Given for the Future (Numbers 15:1–31)

• Despite their failure, God provides laws for when they enter the land—a sign that the promise still stands for the next generation:

  • Offerings and sacrifices (Num. 15:1–16)

  • First portion of dough (challah) to the Lord (Num. 15:17–21)

  • Atonement for unintentional sins (Num. 15:22–29)

  • No forgiveness for willful, defiant sin—such a person is to be cut off (Num. 15:30–31)

7. A Sabbath-Breaker Punished (Numbers 15:32–36)

• A man is caught gathering sticks on Shabbat.

• God commands he be stoned outside the camp, reinforcing the seriousness of covenant obedience.

8. The Commandment of Tzitzit (Numbers 15:37–41)

• God instructs Israel to make tzitzit (fringes) on the corners of their garments, with a blue thread in each.

• These are to remind them not to follow their own heart and eyes, but to be holy to God.

Messianic Insight:

Yeshua teaches that faith as small as a mustard seed moves mountains (Matt. 17:20).Like Caleb and Joshua, we are called to see through the eyes of the Spirit, not the flesh (2 Cor. 5:7).The fringes (tzitzit) reappear in the Gospels, where the woman with the issue of blood touches the corner of His garment (Luke 8:43–48)—believing the healing power of Messiah flowed through His obedience.