Topical Bible: Israel: Send Twelve Spies to View the Land

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Biblical Context:
The account of Israel sending twelve spies to explore the Promised Land is a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This event is recorded in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 13 and 14. It occurs after the Israelites have been delivered from Egypt and have received the Law at Mount Sinai. They are now on the brink of entering Canaan, the land promised to their forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Scriptural Account:
The Lord commands Moses to send men to spy out the land of Canaan. Numbers 13:1-2 states, "And the LORD said to Moses, 'Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. Send one man from each of their fathers’ tribes, all of them leaders among the Israelites.'"

Moses obeys the Lord's command and selects twelve men, one from each tribe, to undertake this reconnaissance mission. Among these men are Caleb from the tribe of Judah and Hoshea (Joshua) from the tribe of Ephraim. Moses instructs them to assess the land, its people, cities, and resources, and to bring back some of the fruit of the land (Numbers 13:17-20).

The Spies' Report:
After forty days of exploration, the spies return with their report. They confirm that the land is indeed fruitful, describing it as "a land flowing with milk and honey" (Numbers 13:27). However, ten of the spies focus on the formidable inhabitants and fortified cities, expressing doubt and fear about the Israelites' ability to conquer the land. Numbers 13:31-33 records their discouraging words: "We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are... We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them."

In contrast, Caleb and Joshua exhibit faith and confidence in God's promise. Caleb asserts, "We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!" (Numbers 13:30). Despite their encouragement, the negative report of the ten spies incites fear and rebellion among the Israelites.

Consequences of Unbelief:
The Israelites' response to the spies' report is one of despair and rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They express a desire to return to Egypt and even propose appointing a new leader to take them back (Numbers 14:1-4). The Lord's anger is kindled against the people for their lack of faith and trust in His promise. As a result, God decrees that the current generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, will not enter the Promised Land. Instead, they will wander in the wilderness for forty years until a new generation arises (Numbers 14:26-35).

Theological Significance:
This episode underscores the importance of faith and obedience in the life of God's people. The contrast between the faith of Caleb and Joshua and the unbelief of the other spies serves as a powerful lesson on trusting in God's promises despite daunting circumstances. The narrative highlights the consequences of doubt and rebellion, as well as the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises to those who trust in Him.

Legacy:
The account of the twelve spies is a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that come with following God's leading. It serves as an enduring testament to the necessity of faith and the dangers of allowing fear to overshadow God's assurances. Caleb and Joshua's faithfulness is later rewarded as they become key leaders in the conquest of Canaan, demonstrating that trust in God leads to the fulfillment of His promises.

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Numbers 13:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
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Numbers 32:8
Thus did your fathers, when I sent them from Kadeshbarnea to see the land.
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Deuteronomy 1:22,25
And you came near to me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
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Joshua 14:7
Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart.
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Library

In the Borders of Canaan.
... While the host of Israel was in camp at Paran, the Lord told Moses to send men before ...
might see the land beyond the Jordan, where the twelve tribes were ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xiii in the borders.htm

Chapter xlii
... Benjamin, the brother of Joseph, Jacob did not send with his ... 5, 6. And the sons of
Israel came to buy ... But they said: Thy servants are twelve in number; we are ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... who dwell on the earth, will rejoice over them, and exult, and send gifts to ... God
said to Israel, after the evil report of the twelve spies: "Your children ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... hospitably to entertain a sage, and to send him away ... But the Roman taxation, which
bore upon Israel with such ... and in articles of luxury even of twelve and a ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

The King's Courts
... to see him again, chamberlain"tell the gaoler to send the Baptist ... Probably twelve
months passed thus ... men, mocked his claims to be the King of Israel, did not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one ... even against the Holy One of
Israel."(423) "Therefore ... weary of hearing people repeat that twelve men established ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution
... over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one ... even against the Holy One of
Israel," Isaiah 37 ... weary of hearing people repeat that twelve men established ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 15 the bible and.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... the bush, said: "Who am I that you send me ... with this glorious privilege, Moses bid
the twelve tribal chiefs ... did in order to forestall anarchy in Israel, and so ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... in his father's sepulchre, When he had judged Israel twenty year ... of Canaan, and declare,
That we're twelve brethren, whom ... Send one of you and fetch the lad to me ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... entreaties of Hannon, and promised to send an army ... reorganise the provinces of Philistia
and Israel, and received ... lists of Manetho, which gives twelve years as ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm