Lessons From The Twelve Spies Numbers 13 & 14

Introduction: 1) They were camped in Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh (12:16; 13:26). 2) Twelve men were selected (one from each tribe) to go spy out the land (13:2). 3) They were to see what the land was like and report what they saw (13:18-20). 4) They journeyed up through Hebron and as far Rehob near the entrance of Hamath (13:21-24). 5) Their trip lasted 40 days and upon returning they reported what they saw (13:25-33).

Lessons From The Twelve Spies Two Attitudes Displayed

Two Attitudes Displayed 1) Ten of the spies. “Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there” (Numbers 13:28). “And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature” (Numbers 13:32).

Two Attitudes Displayed 2) What the ten saw. (a) They saw problems instead of possibilities! (b) They saw giants instead of God! (c) They saw suffering or death rather than a land flowing with milk and honey! (d) They saw defeat rather than victory! (e) Instead of walking by faith they walked by sight.

Two Attitudes Displayed 3) Joshua & Caleb. “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). “But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: “The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:6-9).

Two Attitudes Displayed 4) The vision of Joshua & Caleb. (a) They saw the possibilities and not all the problems! (b) They saw God instead of the giants! (c) They saw blessings instead of suffering! (d) They saw victory instead of defeat! (e) They walked by faith instead of by sight!

Lessons From The Twelve Spies Two Attitudes Displayed Attitude of the Ten

Attitude of the Ten 1) Doubt. “But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:31). They not only questioned their resources to take the land, but they also did not trust in God that He would provide the victory for them. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

Attitude of the Ten 2) Self-depreciation. “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight” (Numbers 13:33). They had convinced themselves that they were nothing and could not accomplished the task at hand. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

Attitude of the Ten 3) Fear. “Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). Fear will paralyze one and keep him from responding to what must be done. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Attitude of the Ten 4) Critical spirit. “Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land” (Numbers 14:36). And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness” (Numbers 14:2). “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us” (3 John 9).

Attitude of the Ten 5) Rebellion. “So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt” (Numbers 14:4). “Only do not rebel against the LORD…” (Numbers 14:9). They were close to the promise land, yet now wanting to turn back to bondage. “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:39).

Attitude of the Ten 6) Ingratitude. “Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3). “So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18).

Attitude of the Ten 7) Unbelief. “Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:17-19).

Attitude of the Ten 7) Unbelief. “Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief” (Hebrews 3:17-19). “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).

Lessons From The Twelve Spies Two Attitudes Displayed Attitude of the Ten Attitude of Joshua & Caleb

Attitude of Joshua & Caleb 1) Faith. “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). Caleb believed in self, others and in God! “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Attitude of Joshua & Caleb 2) Confidence. “Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). Bread- “fig. our food are they, i.e. we will devour, destroy, them” (BDBG). Footnote in Bible- “they shall be as food for our consumption.” “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Attitude of Joshua & Caleb 3) Courage. “Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7).

Attitude of Joshua & Caleb 4) Action. “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). “And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:61-62).

Attitude of Joshua & Caleb 5) Thankfulness. “If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” (Numbers 14:8-9). Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).

Lessons From The Twelve Spies Two Attitudes Displayed Attitude of the Ten Attitude of Joshua & Caleb

In Conclusion: 1) Of the 603,550 numbered (armies), only two from age twenty and up entered the promised land (2:32;14:29-34). 2) Who would you be numbered with? 3) What kind of attitude do you manifest? 4) What kind of work will be done here if everyone is just like me? 5) Your answer and action will determine if you will enter the land of rest!