These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua. These were the names of the menThis phrase introduces the list of individuals chosen for a significant mission. In the Hebrew tradition, names hold profound meaning, often reflecting character or destiny. The selection of these men was not arbitrary; it was a divinely guided choice, emphasizing the importance of their task. Each name represents a tribe of Israel, symbolizing the collective responsibility and unity of the nation in fulfilling God's promise. whom Moses sent
Moses, as the leader appointed by God, acts in obedience to divine instruction. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a mission with purpose and authority. This sending is not merely a reconnaissance mission but a spiritual journey to witness God's faithfulness in the Promised Land. Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people is highlighted here, showcasing his leadership and trust in God's plan. to spy out the land
The task of spying out the land (תּוּר, tur) involves exploration and assessment. This phrase indicates a strategic and careful examination, not just of the physical terrain but of the spiritual readiness of the Israelites to claim God's promise. The land represents God's covenant and blessing, and the spies' report would test the faith and courage of the people. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua
The transformation of Hoshea's name to Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) is significant. "Hoshea" means "salvation," but "Joshua" means "The LORD is salvation." This change, initiated by Moses, underscores a divine calling and destiny. Joshua's leadership would later be pivotal in leading Israel into the Promised Land, prefiguring the ultimate salvation through Jesus (Yeshua), whose name shares the same root. This renaming signifies a shift from human effort to divine intervention, highlighting the necessity of God's presence in achieving His promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is responsible for sending the spies into Canaan. 2. Hoshea/JoshuaOriginally named Hoshea, Moses renames him Joshua. Joshua is the son of Nun and becomes a key figure in leading Israel into the Promised Land. 3. The SpiesA group of twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan and report back on its conditions. 4. CanaanThe Promised Land that God had promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the land the spies are sent to explore. 5. The Renaming EventMoses changes Hoshea's name to Joshua, which means "The LORD is salvation," signifying a divine purpose and mission. Teaching Points The Importance of NamesIn biblical times, names held significant meaning and often reflected character or destiny. Moses renaming Hoshea to Joshua underscores the importance of divine purpose in our lives. Leadership and PreparationJoshua's journey from being a spy to leading Israel into Canaan illustrates the importance of preparation and faithfulness in small tasks before taking on larger responsibilities. Trust in God's PromisesThe mission of the spies was to confirm God's promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. Believers today are called to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting. Courage in the Face of ChallengesJoshua's role as a leader required courage and faith. Christians are encouraged to face their own challenges with the same courage, trusting in God's guidance. Transformation through GodJust as Joshua's name change signified a new identity and mission, believers are transformed through Christ, receiving a new identity and purpose. Bible Study Questions 1. What significance does the renaming of Hoshea to Joshua have in the context of his future role in Israel's history? 2. How does Joshua's preparation as a spy prepare him for his later leadership role, and what can we learn from this about God's preparation in our own lives? 3. In what ways does the account of the spies in Canaan challenge us to trust in God's promises despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles? 4. How can Joshua's courage and faith in God's promises inspire us in our personal and spiritual challenges today? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a transformation or a new sense of purpose in your life. How does this relate to the transformation seen in Joshua's life? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 1:1-9This passage highlights Joshua's leadership after Moses' death, fulfilling the role for which he was prepared and named. Deuteronomy 31:7-8Moses encourages Joshua, reinforcing his role as the leader who will bring Israel into the Promised Land. Hebrews 4:8-10This New Testament passage reflects on Joshua's role in leading Israel into rest, drawing a parallel to the spiritual rest found in Christ. People Aaron, Ahiman, Amalek, Amalekites, Ammiel, Amorites, Anak, Asher, Benjamin, Caleb, Canaanites, Dan, Eshcol, Gad, Gaddi, Gaddiel, Gemalli, Geuel, Hittites, Hori, Hoshea, Igal, Israelites, Issachar, Jebusites, Jehoshua, Jephunneh, Joseph, Joshua, Machi, Manasseh, Michael, Moses, Nahbi, Naphtali, Nun, Oshea, Palti, Raphu, Rehob, Reuben, Sethur, Shammua, Shaphat, Sheshai, Simeon, Sodi, Susi, Talmai, Vophsi, Zaccur, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Hebron, Kadesh-barnea, Lebo-hamath, Negeb, Paran, Rehob, Sinai, Valley of Eshcol, Wilderness of Paran, Zin, ZoanTopics Calleth, Explore, Hoshea, Hoshe'a, Jehoshua, Joshua, Names, Nun, Oshea, Search, SpyDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:1-20 5552 spies Library Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan Canaan
Canaan was the inheritance which the Israelites won for themselves by the sword. Their ancestors had already settled in it in patriarchal days. Abraham "the Hebrew" from Babylonia had bought in it a burying-place near Hebron; Jacob had purchased a field near Shechem, where he could water his flocks from his own spring. It was the "Promised Land" to which the serfs of the Pharaoh in Goshen looked forward when they should again become free men and find a new home for themselves. Canaan had ever been …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations Hebron
From Jericho we proceed to Hebron, far off in situation, but next to it in dignity: yea, there was a time, when it went before Jerusalem itself in name and honour;--namely, while the first foundations of the kingdom of David were laid; and, at that time, Jericho was buried in rubbish, and Jerusalem was trampled upon by the profane feet of the Jebusites. Hebron was placed, as in the mountainous country of Judea, so in a place very rocky, but yet in a very fruitful coast. "There is no place, in all …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica An Unfulfilled Desire
'... Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!'--NUM. xxiii. 10. '... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'--NUM. xiii. 8. Ponder these two pictures. Take the first scene. A prophet, who knows God and His will, is standing on the mountain top, and as he looks down over the valley beneath him, with its acacia-trees and swift river, there spread the tents of Israel. He sees them, and knows that they are 'a people whom the Lord hath blessed.' Brought there …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Epistle xvii. To Felix, Bishop of Messana.
To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cling that, since without Him we can do nothing, through Him we may be enabled to be what we are called. From the citadel of the Head let nothing divide us, lest, if we refuse to be His members, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke I. 26-38. ^c 26 Now in the sixth month [this is the passage from which we learn that John was six months older than Jesus] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth [Luke alone tells us where Mary lived before the birth of Jesus. That Nazareth was an unimportant town is shown by the fact that it is mentioned nowhere in the Old Testament, nor in the Talmud, nor in Josephus, who mentions two hundred four towns and cities of Galilee. The …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 13:16 NIVNumbers 13:16 NLTNumbers 13:16 ESVNumbers 13:16 NASBNumbers 13:16 KJV
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