The Twelve Spies Sent To Canaan

29. The Twelve Spies Sent To Canaan

We find the record in Numbers 13:1-33.  God had promised the land of Canaan to the children of Israel in Numbers 13:2.  Twelve spies were sent into Canaan and returned with their report.  Two men, Caleb and Joshua, gave an encouraging report and stated in Numbers 13:30 :

"...Let us go up at once, and possess it..." The other Ten gave a negative report of discouragement in Numbers 13:31 :

"...We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we." The Ten went against God's will because of their lack of faith. If they were elected to serve with no free will, they would never have gone against God's will. Either God elected them to go against His own will or they, themselves, chose to oppose God's will. Would one dare place the blame on God for their disobedience or should we hold the Ten responsible for their own choice? This author's verdict is: God is innocent--the ten spies are guilty!