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Twelve Spies Survey Canaan
This chapter is based on Numbers 13 and 14.
The Israelites camped at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran,
which was not far from the borders of the Promised Land. It was
here at Kadesh that the people suggested that spies be sent out to
look over the country. Moses presented the matter to the Lord, and
permission was granted. The men were chosen and Moses told
them to go and see the country and the people—whether they were
strong or weak, few or many, and to also evaluate the soil and its
fruitfulness and to bring some of the fruit of the land.
They went and surveyed the whole land, returning after forty
days. The news of the spies’ return was met with rejoicing. The
people rushed out to greet the messengers who had safely escaped
the dangers of their risky undertaking. The spies brought samples
of the fruit, showing the richness of the soil. They brought a cluster
of grapes so large that it was carried between two men. They also
brought figs and pomegranates which grew there abundantly.
The people listened intently as the report was brought to Moses.
“We went to the land where you sent us,” the spies began, “It truly
flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” The people were
enthusiastic—they would eagerly obey the voice of the Lord and go
up at once to possess the land.
But then all but two of the spies started focusing on the dangers
and voiced the feelings of their unbelieving hearts, which were
filled with discouragement prompted by Satan. Their unbelief threw
a gloomy shadow over the congregation. The mighty power of
God, so often shown in behalf of the chosen nation, was forgotten.
The people did not remember how wonderfully God had delivered
them from their slave masters, cutting a path through the sea and
destroying the pursuing armies of Pharaoh. They left God out of the
question, as though they must depend only on human power.
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