Chapter 34—The Twelve Spies
This chapter is based on
Numbers 13
and
14
.
Eleven days after leaving Mount Horeb the Hebrew host encamped
at Kadesh, in the wilderness of Paran, which was not far from the
borders of the Promised Land. Here it was proposed by the people that
spies be sent up to survey the country. The matter was presented before
the Lord by Moses, and permission was granted, with the direction that
one of the rulers of each tribe should be selected for this purpose. The
men were chosen as had been directed, and Moses bade them go and
see the country, what it was, its situation and natural advantages; and
the people that dwelt therein, whether they were strong or weak, few
or many; also to observe the nature of the soil and its productiveness
and to bring of the fruit of the land.
They went, and surveyed the whole land, entering at the southern
border and proceeding to the northern extremity. They returned after
an absence of forty days. The people of Israel were cherishing high
hopes and were waiting in eager expectancy. The news of the spies’
return was carried from tribe to tribe and was hailed with rejoicing.
The people rushed out to meet the messengers, who had safely escaped
the dangers of their perilous undertaking. The spies brought specimens
of the fruit, showing the fertility of the soil. It was in the time of ripe
grapes, and they brought a cluster of grapes so large that it was carried
between two men. They also brought of the figs and pomegranates
which grew there in abundance.
The people rejoiced that they were to come into possession of so
goodly a land, and they listened intently as the report was brought
to Moses, that not a word should escape them. “We came unto the
land whither thou sentest us,” the spies began, “and surely it floweth
with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.” The people were
enthusiastic; they would eagerly obey the voice of the Lord, and go up
at once to possess the land. But after describing the beauty and fertility
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of the land, all but two of the spies enlarged upon the difficulties
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