The Twelve Spies Numbers 13:1 - 14:45 The Twelve Spies Numbers 13:1 - 14:45 After leaving Mt. Sinai, God led the Israelites toward the Promised Land—the land of Canaan. When they arrived, they stopped just outside the land at a place called Kadesh Barnea.

The LORD spoke to Moses saying, “Pick one leader from each of the 12 tribes of Israel to go up and explore the land. So Moses selected 12 men and told them, “Go into the hill country and see what the land is like. Are the people who live there strong or weak? Are they few or many? Find out if their cities have walls or not. Check to see if the land is fertile. And try to bring back some of its fruit if you can.” So the 12 spies set out from Kadesh Barnea and explored the land. While they were there, they saw that the descendants of Anak were living in the land. They were a huge people, as big as giants. They also saw that many of the cities were surrounded by walls and heavily fortified. But, as they continued to explore the land, they found that its fruit was very plentiful. When they came to the Valley of Eshcol, they cut a cluster of grapes that was so big that it had to be carried on a pole between two men. They also found many pomegranates and figs that they brought back to the camp.

After 40 days of exploring the land, the spies returned to Moses and the people. They showed them the fruit that they had collected and said, “We went into the land and, indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. However, we won’t be able to take it. The cities are heavily fortified and surrounded by large walls. Not to mention, some of the people are giants—the descendants of Anak.” However, two of the spies named Joshua and Caleb stood up and said, “Listen to us. We can take this land! With God’s help we can conquer it.” But the other 10 spies said in front of all the Israelites, “Are you crazy? We can’t attack the people living there. They are stronger than we are! We look like grasshoppers to them.” Then, the whole Israelite community started to cry very loudly. They complained to Moses and Aaron saying, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt or in this wilderness! Why did God bring us here to die in battle? Won’t our wives and children be taken captive? It would be better for us to go back to Egypt. Let’s appoint a new leader who will take us back!” Joshua and Caleb tried to talk to the people. “The land we passed through is a great land. If the LORD is pleased with us, He will give it to us. Please don’t turn against the LORD. And please don’t be afraid of the Canaanites.” But no matter what they said, the people wouldn’t listen. They even considered stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then, all of the sudden, the glory of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting. The LORD spoke to Moses saying, “How long will my people dishonor me? How long will they refuse to believe me? I want to destroy them all with a plague. Then, I will make you into the great nation that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” “But the Egyptians will hear about it!” Moses responded. “LORD, you are slow to anger and full of love. Please forgive their sin.” The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them just as you have asked. But because they have rebelled against me, not one of them will enter into the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb will enter the land since they were loyal to me.” So, God struck down the other 10 spies and they died. He did this because they gave a bad report to the Israelite people—turning their hearts against the LORD. When Moses told the LORD’s message to the people, they were heartbroken. The next morning they got up and marched to the Promised Land. They said, “We have sinned! Now we will follow the LORD’s instructions and fight for the land.” But Moses tried to stop them. “Don’t go up!” he said. “The LORD is not with you. You will be defeated by the people living there.” However, they didn’t listen. They went up into the hill country without God’s blessing. When they arrived, the Canaanites and the Amalekites drew up battle lines and attacked them. The Israelites panicked and ran for their lives. After they returned from their defeat, God punished the Israelite nation. They wandered in the desert for 40 years—one year for each day that the spies explored the land of Canaan. Every single person, except Joshua and Caleb, who was 20 years old or older, died in the wilderness. wants to thank American illustrator Jim Pagett and Sweet Publishing for their free distribution of the pictures used in this book.