Bible Characters – Part 9
Series – December 2023 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Bible Characters
Gleanings From The Old Testament,Part 9
The Twelve Spies And Their Mission
“Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.” — Numbers 13:20 NKJV
The Fruit Of The Promised Land
One of the orders given to the twelve spies was to bring back some of the fruit of the Promised Land. The reason for this was that the Israelites, who were still wandering in the wilderness, could then get a foretaste of the blessings the land of Canaan was going to offer them. Was the land going to meet their high hopes? For several years they had been wandering through the desert, but now the moment had come for them to learn a bit more about the land.
Their first introduction to the Promised Land was by no means disappointing, as the spies brought back no less than three different products. The most important and best known of these was the big bunch of grapes that had to be carried by two people. The Valley of Eshcol derived its name from what was there, for Eshcol means “cluster of grapes” (see Num. 13:24).
Now the Hebrew word for “valley” in this verse also means “brook,” which is quite understandable since valleys often have brooks flowing through them. So in our minds we can form the picture of the spies entering into a valley with a brook running through it, with slopes covered with vines and fruit trees. Had there been no water in the Valley of Eshcol, the spies certainly would not have found fruit.
This has a spiritual meaning for us. In Scripture, brooks or rivers often symbolize the free activity of the Holy Spirit (consider Jn. 7:38-39). Just as agricultural products need water to grow, so spiritual fruit – the “fruit of the Spirit” – cannot grow without the quickening, or life-giving, work of the Spirit in the believer (Gal. 5:22, 6:8). This is a vital requirement for a Christian if he wants to enjoy the fruit of the heavenly land which has been reserved for him. He will never have the slightest idea of the blessings there – eternal and spiritual blessings which are his portion in Christ – if he has not been touched by the River of living water.
The Fruit Of The Vine
The first fruit the spies found in the Valley of Eshcol was the large cluster of grapes. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, who were faithful to the LORD, really appreciated the fruit of the land of Canaan.
In Scripture the fruit of the vine is generally used as a symbol of joy (consider Jud. 9:13; Ps. 104:15; Isa. 24:7). Therefore, the cluster of grapes found by the spies tells us about the joy we find in the heavenlies as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22, “joy” is mentioned as an important aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who waters, and we can reap this fruit of the heavenlies only by sowing to the Spirit (6:8).
John 15 shows that this heavenly joy is the result of our union with Christ, the true Vine (v.1). Knowing the Father and the Son through the power of the Holy Spirit is the source of eternal joy: “And truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 Jn. 1:3-4).
Notice the connection between fellowship and joy. Our fellowship with the Father and the Son causes a true and perfect joy which cannot be found anywhere else. Fellowship and joy are inseparable. The Valley of Eshcol was located near Hebron, a name meaning “fellowship” or “alliance.” True and perfect joy can only be found in the place of fellowship with God – communion with the Father and the Son.
Pomegranates And Figs
The cluster of grapes was not the only fruit found by the spies; they also brought back pomegranates and figs. Perhaps these are referred to in Numbers 20:5, where we find the Israelites lamenting that the barren desert was not “a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink.” In other parts of the Old Testament these pieces of fruit are also mentioned in the same breath (Dt. 8:8; Hag. 2:19).
With regard to the meaning of the pomegranate, imitations of pomegranates were made on the hem of the robe of the high priest as well as on the capitals, or the very top portion, of the two pillars standing on either side of the entrance to the temple (Ex. 28:31-34; 1 Ki. 7:18; 2 Ki. 25:17). In other words, we find this fruit in connection with the sanctuary. It symbolizes the holiness appropriate to the house of God. For the high priest, the pomegranates – like the bells of gold – were necessary for entering the sanctuary (Ex. 28:35). They point to the holiness characterizing Christ and enabling Him to appear before God as our heavenly High Priest (Heb. 7:26).
Concerning the pomegranates on the pillars of the temple, it seems that they were made as ornaments of the network around the capitals. According to Psalm 93:5, “holiness adorns [God’s] house.” This confirms the thought that the pomegranates refer to the holiness which is required for the presence of God. They relate to practical holiness as the fruit of the work of the Holy Spirit (compare with the expression “your fruit to holiness” in Romans 6:22).
Now let us look at the figs. One of the first chapters of the Bible tells us something about the meaning of this third fruit which was brought back by the spies. After having eaten from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve made themselves coverings of fig leaves so as to cover their nakedness (Gen. 3:7). Later, God Himself gave them other garments, which were made of the skins of innocent sacrificial animals. The covering of fig leaves symbolizes the garment of man’s own good works with which he tries to hide his sinful state from God. It contrasts sharply with the garments of salvation – the robe of righteousness – we receive freely as a result of the death of the Lamb of God.
The fig tree is also used to symbolize Israel as a nation, clothed with the robe of its own righteousness. On the fig tree that was cursed by Christ, only leaves could be found; there was no fruit. Israel was wrapped in leaves of self-righteousness. Although they had a good confession outwardly, they could not produce abiding fruit of righteousness before God.
Today the fig tree is withered away – wrath has come upon the people – but in the end time this situation will change and the fig tree will be budding again (Mt. 21:19, 24:32; Lk. 21:30). Then Israel will no longer seek their own righteousness but God’s righteousness as revealed in Christ. They will be adorned by the robe of His righteousness (Isa. 61:10), and the city of Jerusalem will be called: “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer. 33:16). Israel will truly bear fruit, of which it will be said, “Your fruit is found in Me” (Hos. 14:8).
While the pomegranates symbolize the fruit of holiness, the figs represent the fruit of righteousness (consider Phil. 1:11). Together they show us the characteristics of the new man who was created according to God in “righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph. 4:24 NASB). These features are the marks of a new creation of heavenly origin. The first man, Adam, was unable to produce these. Even in his state of innocence in the garden of Eden, Adam was not marked by true righteousness and holiness. He was indeed innocent, but he did not resist evil and, subsequently, he was defiled by it. He did not act justly and did not remain holy in the presence of evil. True righteousness and holiness are fruits of a new creation based upon Christ’s work of salvation.
In the epistle to the Ephesians, which takes us to our land of rest – the heavenlies – we see how this precious fruit has become our portion. In Christ we have been granted the holiness and righteousness that give us a place in God’s holy presence (Eph. 1:3-6). In Ephesians 4 and 5 we find how this can be made visible in our lives, so the fruit of the Spirit can be seen in a practical way as we have no fellowship with the “unfruitful works of darkness” (5:11 nkjv). Then we shall be sincere and without offence, being filled with the “fruits of righteousness” – also called “the peaceable fruit” (vv.8-9; Phil. 1:11; Heb. 12:11).
Do we appreciate the fruits of the heavenlies, just like the two spies enjoyed the fruit of the Promised Land? Or, don’t we attach much value to them, just like the majority of the people? They despised the pleasant land because of their unbelief.
If we do know and appreciate the fruits of the heavenlies, are we satisfied with occasionally tasting them in the wilderness, that is, in the circumstances of our pilgrim life here? Or do we enjoy them continously, even now taking full possession of our heavenly blessings? These are the challenges for us.
By Hugo Bouter (adapted)
Look for Part 10 of this Series next month.