Facing Giants: What to Do When the Road Looks Impossible

Parshat Shelach 5785; Numbers 13:1-15:41

As the Israelites camped at the edge of the land they’d been promised for generations, they did something very human. Before marching in, they asked Moses to send scouts ahead to check things out. After speaking with G-d, Moses agreed and gave the scouts precise instructions about what to look for. The scouts explored the land, and when they came back, their report was sobering: “The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are large and fortified.” They went even further, saying, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are” (Numbers 13:28-31).

These words spread like wildfire. Overnight, the confidence of an entire nation collapsed. The people were so discouraged by the report that they wept, lost hope, and questioned the very journey they had been on. Because of this, G-d postponed their entry into the Promised Land for thirty-nine more years, and the ten scouts who brought the negative report were struck down by a plague.

But what was their crime? If Moses told the scouts to investigate the land and its people, what exactly did they do wrong? Weren’t they just doing as they were told?

Their mistake wasn’t in gathering information. Their error was in the conclusion they drew from what they saw. They looked at the daunting obstacles and decided, “We can’t do this.” They let fear dictate their response, forgetting that the mission came with a promise. Moses had wanted practical details so he could figure out the best approach. He trusted that, if miracles were needed, G-d would provide. The only real question in Moses’ mind was how—not if—they would succeed.

This story is a challenge to every single one of us. We all encounter barriers that seem insurmountable—moments that make us question our abilities and our worth. But the very fact that we face these challenges means they are within our reach. G-d doesn’t set us up for failure; He knows our strengths and our struggles, and He provides us with the tools we need, even when we can’t always see them ourselves.

So, when life feels overwhelming and the odds seem stacked against you, remember the lesson of the scouts. Don’t let fear decide your future. Take stock of the challenge, make your plans, and keep moving forward—knowing that G-d, who sees your true potential, walks with you every step of the way. The Promised Land isn’t just a destination; it’s the courage to keep going, even when the road is tough.

I wish you a good week, and Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger

y@tasteoftorah.org