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Return of the Spies

Text: Numbers 13:26-33
15 February 2016

RETURN OF THE SPIES

1. Back to Moses and Aaron   Numbers 13:26

2. Congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh   (Numbers 13:26)

REPORT OF THE SPIES

1. Brought back word to them (Moses and Aaron)   (Numbers 13:26-29)

2. And to the congregation

3. Report about the land of Canaan by 10 of the spies

a) The land truly flows with milk and honey
b) Fruit of the land shown (cluster of grapes)
c) The cities are fortified
d) And huge

4. Report on the people who live in the land

a) The people are strong
b) Descendants of Anak were there (very tall and strong)
c) Amalekites dwell in the South
d) Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites dwell in the mountains
e) Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of Jordan

5. Protest of Caleb (and Joshua)   (Numbers 13:30)

a) He sought to quieten the congregation before Moses
b) Let us go up at once and take possession
c) For we are well able to overcome it

6. The insistence of the 10 spies   (Numbers 13:31-32)

a) We are not able to go up against the people
b) They are stronger than we
c) The land… devours its inhabitants
d) All the people we saw in it are men of great stature
e) We saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants)
f) We were like grasshoppers in our own sight
g) And so were we in their sight

WHAT WENT WRONG?

1. A deep sense of fear prevailed

2. A sense of Futility began to settle

a) They are trapped in the wilderness
b) They cannot conquer the land

3. Faith in God was missing

a) Faith in a God who promised Canaan
b) Faith in a God of great power
c) Faith in a God who had demonstrated His might in Egypt and in the wilderness