Numbers 13–14: Trusting in God and His apostles

The shockwave of Israel’s shrinking back from entering Canaan under the LORD’s protection reverberated for the next 40 years of wandering and throughout time. It’s all about trusting God when the task seems too big and the means so meager. This faith in God’s apostles — shelakhim, or “sent ones” — is crucial to entering God’s rest.

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This faith in God’s apostles — shelakhim, or “sent ones” — is crucial to entering God’s rest. At the helm of that mission recorded in Numbers 13–14 was Yehoshua, whose name and role foreshadowed the greatest of all God will ever send, Yeshua (Jesus) the Mashiakh (Messiah).

Thought questions

What is an “evil report”?
- Why did the 10 spies give this “evil report”?
- Why did they exaggerate the potential perils of the Promised Land?
- Why do we often presume the LORD’s blessing when we’re doing things that are divergent from His will?
- What is the significance of the 40 days of the spies’ mission?
- What is causing the people to continue to want to go back to Egypt?
- Who wanted to send spies into Canaan, Moshe or the people?
Who are the spies, and why weren’t they the previously mentioned leaders of the tribes?
- What time of year was this spying?
- How were the people of Canaan similar to manna, the “daily bread” God gave Israel each morning?
How were the reports of Caleb and Yoshua like “pearls before swine”?
- What kind of spirit did Caleb have, and how was it different from the spirit in the rest of the people?
- Why did Moshe change Yehoshua’s name?
- How was Yehoshua’s role similar to Messiah Yeshua’s?
What’s the difference between the rebellious of Israel receiving punishment “to the third and fourth generation” and the teaching in Ezekiel that each will die for his own sin?