Why did the twelve spies go into the Promised Land?

Quick answer

Moses sent twelve spies into the Promised Land at the request of the people and the instruction of the Lord. The ten spies who gave a bad report reveal that fear and lack of trust in God will keep people from the good He has for them.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Moses, at the people’s request and God’s instruction, sent twelve spies to Canaan to assess the land. The land was fruitful. It also had fortified cities and formidable inhabitants, which sparked doubt among many of the spies and thus the people. Of the twelve spies, only Joshua and Caleb believed in God's promise of victory. The Israelites' lack of faith angered God, leading to forty years of wandering and the exclusion of those over twenty from entering Canaan. This event underscores the importance of trust in God’s promises and obedience to Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

When the Israelites were nearing Canaan, the Promised Land, some of them approached Moses to ask if they could send some men ahead to scope out the land and the cities within it (Deuteronomy 1:22). Moses liked their idea (Deuteronomy 1:23), so he asked God about it. God told Moses to send a man from each of the twelve tribes to scope out the land: "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them" (Numbers 13:2).

As the leader of the Israelites, Moses outlined goals for the twelve spies before sending them to Canaan. He wanted them to assess the land itself, the people who were living there, and the type of cities that it contained. Numbers 13:17–20a reads: "Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, 'Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.'"

The spies came back with a positive report about the land—it was fruitful: "it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit" (Numbers 13:27). However, this was where the good news stopped for most of the spies. They told Moses that the cities were highly fortified and the citizens of the land were huge (Numbers 13:28–29). They were not convinced that the Israelites would truly be able to win in battle and take the land (Numbers 13:31–33). Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, were convinced that God would help the Israelites to take the land (Numbers 13:30; 14:6–9).

The Israelites agreed with the ten negative spies, and their unbelief angered God (Numbers 14:11–12). He had already done so many miracles for them, but they had not remembered them. He had even already promised that the land of Canaan would be theirs (Exodus 6:4, 8) and that His angel would go ahead of them (Exodus 23:23). As a result of their rebellion, the Israelites would spend forty years in the wilderness and none of those over the age of twenty at the time the spies went out, except Caleb and Joshua, would enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:20–38).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

The twelve spies are not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

This fact-finding secret mission brought a lot of revelation about the land of Canaan that the Israelites were about to inhabit, and it also brought a lot of revelation about the condition of their hearts and their lack of faith and trust in God. Even so, God remained faithful to His promises (2 Timothy 2:11–13). May we be those who readily trust God and eagerly obey Him in all circumstances (John 15:1–11; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Hebrews 11; James 1:2–5).

UNDERSTAND

Moses, responding to the request of some Israelites and at God’s instruction, sent twelve spies to scout the Promised Land of Canaan to assess the land, its inhabitants, and its cities before the Israelites entered the land.

Most of the twelve spies expressed fear and skepticism about the Israelites' ability to conquer the land, despite the assurances of Joshua and Caleb.

Only Joshua and Caleb, among those over twenty at the time of the scouting mission, were allowed to enter the Promised Land.

REFLECT

When have I allowed fear or doubt to hinder me from stepping into God's call for my life?

How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances seem daunting?

In what areas of my life do I need to rely more on God's guidance rather than my own understanding or perceptions?

ENGAGE

God had already promised the Israelites the land of Canaan. What do we learn about humanity in doubting what He has already promised?

What strategies can we employ individually and collectively to strengthen our trust in God's promises and overcome moments of doubt or uncertainty?

What can we learn from both the positive and negative aspects of the spies’ mission? How can we apply these lessons to our own journeys of faith and obedience?