Today’s passage: Numbers 13
Helpful thoughts:
- Israel is given a test. God commands them to send spies into the land of Canaan. But, God also confirms to the people, this is the land “I am giving to the people of Israel.”
- The twelve spies journeyed from the south end of the Promised Land all the way to the northern edge and back.
- There is a marked difference between the tone of the direct narrative in verses 21-24 and the spies’ reports in verses 28-29 and 32-33.
Questions to consider:
- Compare and contrast the promise of God in verse 2 with the spies’ conclusion in verse 31. What were these spies doing? What didn’t they believe? Or, in whom did they refuse to place their trust?
- The fear that was building in the people caused a verbal commotion. Their hearts were troubled. What were their options to calm (Or quiet) their concerns? How did Caleb try to “quiet” the people?
- Had the nation trusted in the promise of God, what would their response have been? What reason would they have had to move forward in confidence and rest of mind? What worries might you maintaining (Holding on to) where a focus on the promises of God would allow you to release them?