Mankind has always had a fascination for the unusual, the macabre and the weird. It seems we are always curious about what is strange to us or what we do not understand. The subject of giants is one example. Our legend and lore of giants is one of men tall and huge and angry but not all that intelligent. 

A history of giants can be found in cultures across the globe. Greek, Norse and English are just a few of the cultures that contain literary and mythological backgrounds on giants. Most attempts to prove the existence of giants are disappointing. Physical evidence is just not there or has been manufactured.  

The Bible, which is my source for truth, indicates they once existed and not just in the case of David and Goliath. In many places, the Bible mentions giants. Depending on the translation you use, they may be called by different names. The New King James uses the word “giant” seventeen times between Genesis and 1 Chronicles. The New American Standard, which I use most, tends to refer to them by race such as Nephilim or Rephaim or Anakim. In some cases, where giants are mentioned by name, other evidence is listed as well. For example, Goliath was over 9 feet tall, and King Og had a bed made of iron that was about 14 ft long and 6 ft wide. This textual information gives validation to their existence. It is interesting that the races of giants are only mentioned in the Old Testament. There is no mention of giants in the New Testament. What does this mean? It tells me that the giants died out or had been incorporated into society in such a way that they were no longer a threat.  

So, what about now? Do we still have giants? Certainly, they simply just don’t fit our image of what a giant should be. Some people grow to heights of over 7 feet and live happy healthy lives. Unfortunately, there are others with the condition called “giantism”, which causes their bones to grow abnormally and disproportionally. So, while we may not have the hulking figures of our imagination and fairytales, giants are still in the land.  

I know you are wondering what does this have to do with anything? Well, when God called the Israelites to take possession of the land, spies were sent in to explore the land. Ten came back with the report that there were giants in the land. They couldn’t possibly take the land. They so frightened the Israelites that they all agreed and refused to go in. The refusal cost them forty years. 

Their faith was trapped not in what God said was theirs, but in what ten men said they witnessed. Are we really that different? Granted, if someone told us they saw giants, we would be more likely to respond with, “Ok so you saw really tall people.” Or they ran into an NBA basketball team. We wouldn’t immediately leap to “Fee fi fo fum.” But what if someone said, “You can’t do that.” “No one has ever done that before.” “That doesn’t work here.” “Who do you think you are?” 

The words are different, but the impact is the same. Well-meaning people will keep you from God’s best when you listen to them rather than God. God does use them to protect us, certainly. But, if He has already told us to go in, don’t be distracted by the giants or the ten whispering do not go.  

Have you ever noticed that while Joshua and Caleb said, “let’s go and take the land,” they didn’t disagree with the other ten in terms of the giants? They disagreed with the discouragement that was being spread. Not with the report. In the face of the giants, they still believed they could take the land. Why? Because God had already given it to them.  

God didn’t even disagree with the challenge. His punishment was for their unbelief. Not their fear. They didn’t believe Him when He said go and take the land. They saw the good things there sure, but then they saw the size of the people and said there is no way we can do this. They considered themselves grasshoppers compared to the residents forgetting that God had already given the land to them.  

Is God asking you do something and you are hesitant because of the challenges? Because of the giants? Don’t be afraid. Step boldly into the land the Lord has given you. He can handle the giants. Just do what He has told you. There may be giants in the land, but little people have overcome giants before. 

All for One  

Angela