Topical Bible: Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: Persons Selected As Spies

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During the Israelites' journey through the desert, a significant event occurred when Moses, under God's command, selected twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan. This event is recorded in the Book of Numbers, specifically in chapters 13 and 14. The selection of these spies was a pivotal moment in the history of Israel's wilderness wanderings, as it directly impacted their journey and relationship with God.

Selection of the Spies

The Lord instructed Moses to send men to explore the land of Canaan, which He was giving to the Israelites. Each of the twelve tribes of Israel was to provide one leader to undertake this mission. The purpose was to assess the land and its inhabitants, providing a report to guide the Israelites' next steps. Numbers 13:2 states, "Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them."

The Twelve Spies

The twelve men selected as spies were leaders from each of the tribes of Israel. Their names and tribal affiliations are listed in Numbers 13:4-15 :

1. Shammua from the tribe of Reuben
2. Shaphat from the tribe of Simeon
3. Caleb from the tribe of Judah
4. Igal from the tribe of Issachar
5. Hoshea (Joshua) from the tribe of Ephraim
6. Palti from the tribe of Benjamin
7. Gaddiel from the tribe of Zebulun
8. Gaddi from the tribe of Manasseh
9. Ammiel from the tribe of Dan
10. Sethur from the tribe of Asher
11. Nahbi from the tribe of Naphtali
12. Geuel from the tribe of Gad

Mission and Report

The spies were tasked with evaluating the land's fertility, the strength and number of its inhabitants, the fortifications of their cities, and the presence of any formidable obstacles. They were to bring back samples of the land's produce to demonstrate its richness. Numbers 13:18-20 outlines their mission: "See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous, and bring back some of the fruit of the land."

After forty days of exploration, the spies returned with a mixed report. They confirmed the land's abundance, bringing back a cluster of grapes so large that it had to be carried on a pole between two men, along with pomegranates and figs (Numbers 13:23). However, ten of the spies gave a discouraging report, emphasizing the strength and size of the inhabitants, which instilled fear among the Israelites. Numbers 13:31-33 records their words: "We cannot attack those 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."

Caleb and Joshua's Faith

In contrast, Caleb and Joshua, the two remaining spies, demonstrated faith in God's promise and urged the Israelites to trust in the Lord's provision and protection. Caleb silenced the people and declared, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it" (Numbers 13:30). Joshua joined Caleb in encouraging the people, emphasizing that the Lord was with them and that they should not fear the inhabitants of the land (Numbers 14:6-9).

Consequences of the Report

The negative report from the ten spies led to a rebellion among the Israelites, resulting in God's judgment. The entire generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, was condemned to wander in the desert for forty years, until all those who had doubted God's promise perished (Numbers 14:29-30). Caleb and Joshua were spared due to their faithfulness and were later allowed to enter the Promised Land.

The selection and mission of the twelve spies serve as a profound lesson in faith, obedience, and the consequences of disbelief. The contrasting responses of the spies highlight the importance of trusting in God's promises, regardless of the challenges that may appear insurmountable.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 13:3-16
And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... said that she was so)"to go to the desert made famous ... 2767] Again resuming her journey,
she came ... while the twelve baskets of the tribes of Israel were filled ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... sons at the time of his journey to Egypt ... common action after their sojourn in the
desert of Kadesh ... the extreme outpost of the children of Israel: these families ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... accomplished the greater part of their journey in territories ... inspect the roads of
the desert; he completed ... The building was approached through two pylons, the ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... preservation of perfect purity in their persons, their altars ... corpse was left unburied
in the desert, but by ... and too dear for easy circulation through many hands ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... the safety of the caravans in the desert regions nearest ... effort of the nomad tribes
to break through them; and ... bridges, he set out on his return journey by the ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... and food for their return journey, besides having ... 676 Esarhaddon resolved to invade
their desert territory, and ... the subjugation of Damascus, Israel, Tyre, the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm