The Lies of Spies

Lies can be impactful. They can shape a nation’s fate. When articulated by the well-respected, they are particularly dangerous. Deception is a form of lying; it uniquely provides the employer the cover of deniability.

The polemical Torah Portion Shelach captures a nation suffering severe consequences as a result of deception. Shelach’s tale begins with Moses dispatching spies to the Promised Land. These spies were not James Bonds with licenses to kill. Rather, they were respected tribal leaders. Numbers 13:2 Professor David Elliott Friedman notes that the individuals sent to the Promised Land did so in the capacity of leaders and observers. Commentary on the Torah, P. 469. This mission was based on the Lord’s word. Numbers 13:3.

Thus, (a) these individuals were on a mission from the highest of authority; (b) they were community leaders selected by the nation’s chief, Moses; (c) they consisted of members of each tribe, and (d) they were well-respected community leaders.

Prior to departing on the mission, the spies received instructions. They were to see the land, how it is; and the people who live on it, are they strong or weak, and are they few or many. Numbers 13:18 They were to see how is the land in which they live, is it good or bad; and how are the cities in which they live, are they in camps or in fortified places. Numbers 13:19. They were also to check as to who is the land, is it fat or meager; does it have trees or not; and exert strength and take some fruit of the land. Numbers 13:20.

Shelach tells us what they observed. They observed various cities. They observed the offspring of the giants. Numbers 13:22. They spent forty days on the mission and returned with some of the land’s amazing fruit.

After the mission, they initially reported to Moses. They told him that “the people who live in the land are strong. And the cities are fortified, very big. And also they saw the offspring of giants there. Amalek lives in the land of the Negeb, and the Hittite and the Jebusite and the Amorite live in the mountains, and the Canaanite lives by the sea and along the Jordan. Numbers 13:28-29. The assessment was that “we won’t be able to go up against the people, because they’re strong than we are. ” Numbers 13:31.

After reporting to Moses, these spies went to the people and told them that “it’s a land that eats those who live in it, and all the people whom we saw in it were people of size! And we saw the Nephilim there, sons of giants from Nephilim, and we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and so were we in their eyes.” Numbers 13:32.

As a result of this public disclosure, the congregation wept that night. They lost hope. They wanted to return to Egypt. They wanted to appoint a new leader.

Lies?

The tale is confusing. The declaration from Caleb, the story’s hero, makes it more confounding. In countering the other spies’ opinions, he offered inspiration and called out: “let’s go up, and we’ll take possession of it, because we are able to handle it.” Numbers 13:30.

The text is difficult to analyze. The text tells of what the spies saw and what they reported to Moses. Their accuracy in reporting is in question. One may take the position that they added aspects to the reporting such as that the people in the land were strong, the cities were fortified and very big, and with respect to make-up of the residents. Caleb’s criticism, however, does not specifically point out any deception.

The spies’ reporting to the Children of Israel was equally problematic. They said that it was a land that eats its populace. They said that the people were giants and they [the Children of Israel] were no match. Were these observations accurate? Regardless of their accuracy, they were effective. Their account persuaded the community to engage in a mutiny. In doing so, the spies’ words inspired the Children of Israel to decide to end the Exodus and return to Egypt.

Was There Deception?

Exaggeration can be deception. The description of the spies’ observations somewhat matched up with what they disclosed. From the text, one could argue that their depiction was excessive as to the fortifications of the cities and their largess . Likewise, the notion of a population of giants was likely exaggeration as well. Caleb’s opinion is suggestive of this fact.

What To Make of It?

Deception is a form of dishonesty. We learn that the ability to deceive can be in the form of exaggeration and suggestion. It acts as a lie when the truth is not offered to counter it. We often see that deception is possible when the deceiver is in a position to know matters and the receivers of the information have to rely upon the deceiver.

A Modern Example

In the 2020 United States Presidential Election, then candidate Joseph Biden lied to the American Public during the debate against then President Donald Trump. Through the use of a letter devised by campaign advisor, Antony Blicken, and using 51 respected members of the intelligence community, he was allowed to make the deceptive assertion that Hunter Biden’s laptop may have been part of a Russian Information program.

Thus, rather than truthfully answer about the laptop’s authenticity, he was able to refer to the letter from respected members who questioned whether the computer and the data within it was real. Many people opine that Joe Biden’s assertion in debate was the perpetration of a lie. This lie helped him get elected as President of the United States. Recently, the laptop was admitted into evidence to prosecute Joe Biden’s son Hunter. Thus, the U.S. Government was well aware that the computer and its contents were authentic.

Conclusion

For the Children of Israel, the consequences arising out of the spies’ lies was that the entire congregation turned against the leadership. As a result, God appeared and was upset. He was ready to engage in a do-over. He was prepared to dispense with the project, get rid of the Children of Israel, and build up his planned nation with Moses. Numbers 13:11-12. Moses, however, convinced God to do otherwise. This moment set forth one of the powerful narratives coming forth from the Hebrew Bible. The Children of Israel were to “wander” in the wilderness and not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. All of the individuals twenty years and older at the time of this incident were prohibited from entrance. Only Joshua and Caleb would be permitted entry. Thus, the deceptive acts of well-respected leaders negatively impacted a multitude of generations.

In sum, as a Wise King once said, there is nothing new under the Sun.

Be well!!

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