ETB Numbers 13:17-31

Session 3: The Land p.28

We often hear about people’s “first 100 days.” But what about their last 100? There are only 100 days left in 2025.

Is there anything that you need to get done? Maybe something the Lord has prompted you to accomplish?

Whatever you decide to do in these last 100 days of the year, large tasks require planning. Sometimes the smaller ones seem to grow and become much more complicated than we realized at the start.

Ask: What was the last project you had that was more complicated than you imagined it would be?

Understand the Context

The tribes of Israel had spent about a year at Mount Sinai receiving the law and the instructions for the tabernacle. Now they found themselves on the brink of Canaan, the land God had promised their ancestors centuries earlier.

As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness of Paran, God instructed Moses to send men into Canaan to scout out the land (Num. 13:1-2). The plan called for sending one man from each tribe so the entire nation would have representation.

Verses 4-15 list the names of the chosen men. Ten are mentioned only here in the Bible; sadly, the Bible records that the Lord later struck them down for their lack of faith (14:36-38). [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Fall 2025]

One commentary alluded to the fact that if was not for God recording their names this one time in Scripture, their names would not have remembered at all. Much like Noah’s and Lot’s wives.

The two faithful men, Caleb and Hoshea (whom Moses renamed Joshua in 13:16), would play important roles in the conquest and settlement of the land. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Explore the Text

Numbers 13:17–20 ESV

17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, 18 and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, 19 and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, 20 and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Moses gave the men specific instructions on how to go about their business in Canaan. He urged them to spy out the land. Modern translations of this word vary slightly, but they all emphasize the same basic sense. Moses sent them to gather and bring back firsthand information on the land. Also, the text never suggests that not entering the land was an option. The purpose of sending scouts was to determine how, not if, Israel would enter the land. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

There is an interesting comparison made by some between Moses’ sending of these twelve and Jesus sending out The Twelve.

Moses’s group was split 11:1, Jesus’ was 1:11. Moses’s group talked about what man could not do, Jesus’ proclaimed what God had done.

Can you think of any similarities or comparisons?

According to the text we have read so far, whose idea was it to send these men?

If you look at the first verse of the chapter, you will read of God’s command to Moses to send the spies. This is God’s directive that Moses obeys. But when you read from the first chapter of Deut, a slightly different scene is shown.

Deuteronomy 1:22–23 “22 Then all of you came near me and said, ‘Let us send men before us, that they may explore the land for us and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up and the cities into which we shall come.’ 23 The thing seemed good to me, and I took twelve men from you, one man from each tribe.”

Why did is seem “good” to Moses, because he took it to the Lord and the Lord said to do it. God’s command made it a good thing to do, even though the idea and outcome reveal the rebellious nature of man’s heart.

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Numbers 13:17–20

The same thing can happen to you and me. If we set our own agenda, if we demand our own way, God very likely will say, “Okay. If that’s your plan, go ahead.”

That’s why it’s the wise man or woman who increasingly prays, “Not my will but Your will be done. Here’s how I see the situation, Lord, but I lay it before You. Please adjust it, modify it, correct it.”

In addition to scouting the terrain and geography, Moses wanted the spies to examine the people and the cities. He wanted to know if the people were strong or weak . . . few or many. Again, Moses was thinking ahead. He understood that while God would give them victory, battles against real enemies would be fought. 

The nature of the Canaanite camps and strongholds would determine Israel’s military strategy. The first term referred to population centers that typically were in the open country, where residents lived in tents. In theory, such settlements would be easier to conquer. Strongholds fortified by walls would require more effort. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Most of what the men are directed to look for is typical information gathering, then we get to a request that may seem odd.

whether there are trees in it or not

Why ask about trees?

The contrast before this was if the land was rich/fertile or poor/lean. This would tell the people if the land could grow season harvests, possibly 2 each year but they would need to be planted each year. Trees would not only provide lumber for building but could be source of food with annual produce not requiring them to plant the first year after taking over the land. Plus, some trees, like the almonds of the region, take multiple years of growth before they start producing significant quantities of fruit or nuts. Having these trees already producing makes them a valuable resource.

Along with the information to obtain, Moses speaks a word to them personally.

Be of good courage

Why would Moses tell them to be courageous?

Did he already know the dangers that they would be going through?

Traveling through an unknown land can cause apprehension about the future. Moses however trusted that God’s protective power was going with them. He may have been trying to help them keep that focus on God and His sovereign work through them.

In recalling these instructions, Moses noted that it was the season of the first ripe grapes. In addition to highlighting the fruit of the land, the term also reveals when the spies scouted Canaan. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Isn’t God’s timing perfect? If the tribes had arrived in winter or early spring, then the land would have been devoid of any fresh produce and may not have appeared as the land “flowing with milk and honey” that they were able to see.

Grapevines began to mature in late spring and early summer. By late summer or early autumn, they were ready for harvesting. When the scouts returned (vv. 23-25), they were carrying a cluster of grapes on a pole, which suggests they finished their mission around this fall harvest.

At the beginning of the text, we noted that there was never a question about “if” they were to enter land, that was a given.

Ask: How do we balance acting in faith and gathering information before acting?

Psalm 37:5 “5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”

Romans 12:1 “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Ask: How do you typically approach a God-given task? What concerns or apprehensions arise? (PSG, p. 31) 

The next section of the text displays how the men were obedient to the instructions and lists where they went in following them.

Numbers 13:21–25 ESV

21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. 22 They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a pole between two of them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster that the people of Israel cut down from there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land.

If you look on a map of this path described in this text, you can see that the men were thorough in looking at the land. From the central and mountain paths they would have a good view of the lowlands and possibly to the coasts of both Mediterranean and Dead Seas.

The Hebrew scouts spied out an area known as the wilderness of Zin. This vast, rocky region ran along Canaan’s southern edge. During the wilderness wandering, God’s people again would pass through this region (Num. 20:1) and complain, especially about a lack of water (20:2-5).

In that instance, God would command Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock and promise to miraculously provide water from it. However, in his anger, Moses ended up striking the rock instead of speaking to it. As a result of their disobedience, God would ban Moses and Aaron from the promised land (20:8-12). [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Not much has changed in the amount of rainfall and the view of the land since this scouting party went through it. If you use Google Earth and take a path along some of the roads in the region you can still see how dry it is during the non-rainy seasons. One significant change is the technology of irrigation. Crops can be grown more readily, but they still require the rain to gather and recycle for things to grow.

Next, the spies then traveled toward Rehob. The expression near Lebo-hamathmay have denoted a southern district of Syria, which bordered the promised land on the north (2 Sam. 8:9-10; 1 Kings 8:65). The text thus highlights the thoroughness of the scouts’ mission from south to north. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

The last city mentioned in the spies’ journey was a familiar one and it may have been saved to the end because of the heritage associated with it.

Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

Hebron, a significant city in the southern hill country. Located about nineteen miles south of Jerusalem, the city had historical connections with Israel’s past. Abram (Abraham) spent time there after separating from Lot (Gen. 13:18). He also purchased a burial place for Sarah in that area. The cave became the burial place for three generations of patriarchs (49:29-31). [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

This tidbit of city history seems out of place until you realize this is part of what they were tasked to discover. They inquired about the “walled” city to see if it was new or well established. This information tells them that the defenses are well established and any trees within the city boundaries are producing well.

Is stealing a large cluster of grapes away from people that you consider stronger, larger, and supernatural an act of fear?

Courson’s Application Commentary, Old Testament Volume 1 (Genesis–Job) Numbers 13:22 (b)

Although this phrase is in parentheses, it is wonderfully significant, for it obliterates the theories of the skeptics who question the veracity of the Scripture. You see, Zoan being the secret resort of the Pharaohs, the only people who knew about it were Pharaoh, his family, and his innermost circle of advisers. For many centuries, people read this and said, “Because there is no such place as Zoan, we cannot believe everything in Scripture”—until Zoan was uncovered by the archaeological spade.

Whoever wrote the Book of Numbers had to have inside information, had to be in the inner circle to know about Zoan. Moses grew up as the son of Pharaoh. No other Hebrew writer would have known this.

According to one my study bible notes, Zoan was also known as Tanis.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

Tanis was founded in the early second millennium B.C., and excavations at Hebron demonstrate that the first fortified city dates to the Middle Bronze II period (c. 2000–1750 B.C.). The correspondence of dating is striking.

Once again, man’s discoveries prove God’s Word was correct all along.

The spies had nearly finished their assigned task, but they still needed to bring back some produce of the land.

a single cluster of grapes

Does the text say that this cluster was unusually large?

The way they carried it was typical of the day to prevent damage to the fruit. Although the cluster “may” have been larger than normal, we cannot be definitive in the size as the transport of grape clusters was typically done in the way described.

It could have been a standard cluster, and they only took one to prevent suspicion or to avoid accusations of thievery. Since they were “in the valley” and the name was changed later, it was likely a wilderness area away from a populated town, resulting in this being a wild cluster. These too are speculations as it is not definitively stated in the text.

The men finished their reconnoitering and returned to report their findings, but not without some - embellishment.

Numbers 13:26–31 ESV

26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” 30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 Then 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 are.”

After a bit of show and tell, the men started telling Moses what they saw. It started with what they saw in a positive way.

flows with milk and honey

They had obviously heard the story of Moses’ encounter with God and used these words to affirm that God’s declaration was true about the land’s productive nature.

However

There are two contrasting conjunctive words used in Scripture: but and however. One typically is used to show a contrast of “worse to better” and the other from “better to worse.”

Which one is this?

The fruit and land was “good”, however, the people were stronger.

descendants of Anak

Why is this significant?

It is their explanation of strength and size that Moses requested.

At the end of verse 31 they use the words “they are stronger than we are.”

This statement was true and may have been accurate, but the report did not end there. After verse 31 their language becomes not only exaggerated but contradictory.

Numbers 13:32–33 “32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. 33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.””

If the land devours its inhabitants, why are there so many big strong people there?

The mention of Nephilim is a direct contradiction to God’s Word. Yes, the Nephilim did have offspring according to Genesis chapter 6. But at the end of chapter 7 what was the total human population of the earth?

Unless one of Noah’s daughters in law was Nephilim, they could not be in the land which the spies walked through. Whether this phrasing was used intentionally to cause fear or not we do not know, but the effects are recorded.

Worry, anxiety, and overthinking dwell on the what-ifs of life. Dwelling on the what-ifs is simply not dwelling in truth, and Scripture calls us to think about things that are true (Philippians 4:8). If one were to truly reflect on reality and truth, then their thinking would lead them to the promises of God, His Word, His character, and His attributes. God only dwells in reality and truth. Dwelling on untruth is to dwell in a place where God is not. In the end, overthinkers are not thinking too much about their situation, but too little! If you were to think things all the way through, then you would inevitably come to a place of worship and trust because God dwells in all things (Ephesians 4:6, Colossians 1:17). You’re Not Overthinking—you’re Underthinking by Nathan Adams

There was, however, one spy that spoke up to give a “good report.”

Caleb quieted the people

Why did Caleb have to quiet the people?

They were getting “riotous” because of the “bad” report.

Believer’s Bible Commentary D. Spying out the Promised Land (Chaps. 13, 14)

Joshua and Caleb saw Israel from God’s point of view, well able to conquer the land. To the ten unbelieving spies the problem of giants was insurmountable. To the two believing spies the presence of giants was insignificant.

The truth of that comparison is seen in what Caleb says to the people.

we are well able to overcome it

Not just capable, but abundantly capable to overcome “IT.”

Caleb said “it” not “them.” He knew that God would take care of the people of the land, therefore they would only need to do as God had command Adam long ago to “subdue the land.”

Fear dominated the 10 scouts’ report, as they focused on how strong Canaanites would be more than Israel—and disbelieved that Israel’s God could handle them. They stressed the fortified and very large cities, focusing on the obstacles rather than God’s promises. [ETB:ALG Fall '25]

Ask: What kind of obstacles might prevent or delay us from obeying God?

The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible Numbers 13:1–33

For the person of faith, obstacles are temporary because God is real. For the disbeliever, obstacles are permanent because God is not real enough. Thus, the key to exegesis of exigencies is an existential question: Is God

Apply the Text

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 13

The unbelief of Israel contrasts both with the faithfulness of Christ (

The Applied Old Testament Commentary Report of the Exploration (13:26–33)

The ten spies put the difficulties between themselves and God; Joshua and Caleb put God between themselves and the difficulties. Unbelief sees obstacles; faith sees opportunity. The ten took their eyes off God and saw only difficulties; the two took their eyes off the difficulties and saw only God.

Too many Christians today are like those ten spies. They have heard the promises of the Gospel. They have “spied out” their inheritance in Christ. They have even tasted a few of the “fruits” of Christ’s blessing. Yet because of unbelief they do not enter fully into their inheritance. They do not fully enjoy the promised blessings. Because of unbelief, they are afraid to cast themselves upon Christ and to follow Him without looking back. And they wonder why the Bible seems so dry and Christ’s fellowship so distant!

I like the second set of questions on page 36 in our book this week as they can really help us focus on applying the truths we learned from the text.

What act of obedience have you been delaying because you thought it would become too difficult?

What steps do you need to take to move you closer to beginning that undertaking?

What will you do this week to move you forward?

[Lifeway Adults (2025). (p. Page 36). Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide - CSB - Fall 2025. Lifeway Press. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]

“Trust and Obey” (Baptist Hymnal 2008, No. 500). - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB4KcleYiWM

Pray: God help us to recognize our fears and to respond in faith when we face tasks that seem too difficult or complicated for us. Lord, we know that we can depend on You to instruct us and empower us in the tasks You have for us. God, part of obedience to Your Word and Will is to study and understand it well enough that we can discern Your calling from our own desires. You have warned us that we will face obstacles, but You have also promised us the faith to trust You in them that Your name can be glorified when we come out on the other side.