Sermon Tone Analysis

In Your Classroom

You’ll find already printed for you in your classroom on Sunday “The Spies Map.”

The ESV Study Bible map, “The Journey of the Spies”

The cross-references referred to in the lesson: ; ; ; ;

The ESV Study Bible map, “The Failed Entry into Canaan”

Insights for Teaching

Rather than read it all, we will begin with highlights from “Scriptural Background” and “Historical/Apologetics Background” on p. 9 of the Adult Teacher Guide.

We will be sure to understand how we got to in the history of God’s people by using highlights from “Introduction” and “The Spies Give a Report” on p. 9.

Rather than read all of at once and then asking all the questions.

We’ll divide it up and respond to each part by answering the question, “What stands out to you in these verses?”

We’ll divide as followers:

(vv.

1-2) God commands Moses to send spies.

(vv.

3-16) The spies are chosen.

(vv.

17-24) The mission from start to finish.

(vv.

25-33) The spies give their report.

Many of the questions in the Sunday School book will be answered as the group discusses each part of the chapter.

However, if an important question isn’t addressed it’ll most be rephrased in terms of significance.

In other words, instead of asking, “How many men was Moses sending into the land?” the question will be rephrased, “What’s so important about 12 men, one from each tribe, being sent to scope out the Promised Land?”

Instead of doing the “Promises Kept Activity on p. 13 as instructed in the book, the group will be pointed to the cross-reference, concordance, and note tools that may be in their Bible.

For the sake of time and as an example of the helpfulness of such tools, the specific cross-references that we want to be sure to notice (; ; ; ; ) will be supplied to the class for discussion.

will be read and discussed in the same manner as .

We’ll bread it down as follows:

(vv.

1-12) The people respond to the spies.

(vv.

13-19) Moses intercedes for the people.

(vv.

20-38) God delivers mercy and judgment.

(vv.

39-45) The people find its too late to obey.

Again, not every question in the Teacher Guide will be asked (many will be covered in the discussion), and those questions that are asked will be restated in terms of their significance.

For example, instead of “When God told Moses he was going to kill all of the people and start over with Moses, how did Moses respond?” the question will be rephrased, “What is significant about Moses’ response when God said that he would destroy the people and start over with Moses?”

“Attribute” will be defined before the question at the top of p. 16 is asked.

[Here’s the definition: “Characteristics or qualities of God that constitute God’s very being.”

- McKim, D. K. (2014).

The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms (Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, p. 23).

Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.]

McKim, D. K. (2014).

The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms (Second Edition, Revised and Expanded, p. 23).

Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Highlights will be given from the “Application” section on p. 16 before the question are asked and discussed.

We will indeed end with prayer.

Into the Text

Numbers 13-14

Forty Years near Kadesh.

The central section of the book of Numbers brings together events spanning 40 years, when the Israelites lived in and near Kadesh-barnea.

Kadesh is a large oasis about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Beersheba (see map).

It marked the southern limit of the land of Canaan, according to 34:4.

So when Israel reached there, they were on the verge of entering the Promised Land.

But as a result of the rebellion prompted by the spies’ negative reports, God punished the people by making them wait 40 years to enter the land.

A few important episodes from this period are recounted in chs.

13–19.

The Mission of the Spies and the National Rebellion.

The significance of this episode is indicated by its length.

It stands alongside the golden calf episode (Exodus 32–34) as one of the two great apostasies of the wilderness wanderings.

On the former occasion, Israel broke the first two commandments (Ex.

20:3–6) and the Lord threatened to annihilate them and create a new people from Moses’ descendants (Ex.

32:9–10).

Only Moses’ intercession persuaded God to relent (Ex.

32:11–14).

This time the people turn their backs on the Promised Land and propose returning to Egypt.

Again the Lord threatens their destruction, which is averted only by Moses’ intercession.

13:1 the LORD spoke to Moses.

According to Dt 1:22, 23, the people had first requested the spies be sent out after Moses challenged them to take the land.

Here, the Lord affirmed the peoples’ desire and commanded Moses to send them.

13:2 Note the reminder that the land has been promised by God.

13:3 heads of the sons of Israel.

These leaders were different than those mentioned in Nu 1, 2, 7, 10.

Presumably the tribal leaders in the 4 earlier lists were older men.

The task for the spies called for some leaders who were younger, probably about 40 years of age, based on the ages of Caleb and Joshua.

13:6 Caleb This name is from the Hebrew term kelev, meaning “dog.”

In the ancient Near East, the dog could symbolize an obedient servant.

In 13:16, Hoshea (“he saves”) is renamed Joshua (“Yahweh saves”), anticipating the faith he shows in 14:6.

13:17–24 Mission Accomplished.

The spies cover some 220 miles (354 km) from the Negeb, the arid region south of Beersheba, right up to the north, Rehob, near Lebo-hamath, about 47 miles (76 km) north of Damascus (v.

21).

13:17–20 The spies were to determine the nature of the Land itself, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the people.

13:20 the time of the first ripe grapes.

Mid-summer (mid to late July).

the descendants of Anak.

Anak in Hebrew (‘anaq) means “neck,” and the Anakim were famous for their height (see Num. 13:33; Deut.

2:21; 9:2).

13:22 Hebron It was at Hebron that Abraham was first promised the land of Canaan—which makes the Israelites’ apprehension about entering the land all the more shameful (Num 14:1–4).

pomegranates A pomegranate is a symbol of plenty.

13:25–33 The Spies’ Report of Their Mission.

This report covers the same ground as the narration in vv.

17–24.

But whereas the latter is straightforward and factual, the spies’ account is lurid and exaggerated, calculated to dismay the hearers.

Notice the description of the cities as fortified and very large (v.

28), and the long list of inhabitants (vv.

28–29).

13:27 flowing of milk and honey An image frequently used in the OT for great bounty, as it speaks to both livestock and agricultural produce (e.g., Exod 3:8, 17; Num 14:8).

The spies claim that the land devours its inhabitants (v.

32) and, to cap it off, that the tall Anakites are descended from the Nephilim (see note on Gen. 6:4) and therefore must be quite invincible.

The spies claim that the land devours its inhabitants (v.

32) and, to cap it off, that the tall Anakites are descended from the Nephilim (see note on Gen. 6:4) and therefore must be quite invincible.

(Given the exaggerated tone of the spies’ account, their reference to Nephilim is most likely an expression of their fear and an excuse for their disobedience, rather than an accurate statement indicating that the Nephilim were still living after the flood.)

13:30 Caleb quieted the people.

The verb “quieted” usually occurs in the form of the interjection “Hush!”

This implies that the spies report evoked a vocal reaction from the people.

Caleb concurred with the report of the other spies, but called the people to go up and take the Land, knowing that with God’s help they were able to overcome the strong people.

13:31 We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.

This statement reflects lack of faith in the Lord, for the spies are evaluating the situation only from a human perspective.