Lesson 249: The Twelve Spies

Num. 13; 14

Full Lesson HERE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QBigun8z-Q

INTRODUCTION. As the children of Israel continued their journey in the wilderness of Paran, they came to a place called Kadesh Barnea. This was an oasis watered by four springs on the border of the land of Canaan. The region is also called the wilderness of Zin.

Since Kadesh is said to be in the wilderness of Paran (Num. 13:26) and the wilderness of Zin (Num. 13:21 ), perhaps the larger area of Paran included the smaller region of Zin. The Lord commanded Moses to send twelve men, one from each tribe, into Canaan to spy out the land. Moses did as the Lord commanded, and the twelve spies spent forty days exploring the land of Canaan.

The spies returned with fruit from the land - pomegranates, figs, and a cluster of grapes so large it had to be carried between two men on a pole. They reported the land was rich, but the cities were fortified, the people strong, and giants were dwelling in the land. Ten of the spies claimed the people of the land were too strong for the Israelites to overcome. However, two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, insisted that they should immediately invade and possess the land.

The children of Israel believed the evil report of the ten spies, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and even began planning to return to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb told the people not to rebel against the Lord, but to trust him, for the Lord was with them.

Again the Lord was angry and said He would destroy the people, and again Moses pleaded with the Lord to spare them. The Lord pardoned the people as Moses requested, but nevertheless punished them for their lack of faith. All the congregation was condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years-one year for each day spent spying out the promised land. All those twenty years and older, except for Joshua and Caleb, would die in the wilderness during the forty years, thus they would not enter the land of Canaan. Only their children would be allowed to enter the land as fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.