Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? Is the land where they live good or bad?This phrase reflects the mission given to the Israelite spies to assess the Promised Land. The Hebrew word for "land" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which often signifies not just physical territory but also the cultural and spiritual environment. The question of whether the land is "good or bad" is not merely about agricultural potential but also about the moral and spiritual state of the inhabitants. In a conservative Christian perspective, this inquiry underscores the importance of discerning the spiritual climate of a place, as the Israelites were to be a holy people set apart for God. The land's goodness or badness would influence their ability to fulfill God's covenant promises. Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications?
The Hebrew word for "cities" is "עָרִים" (arim), which can refer to any settlement, from small villages to large urban centers. The distinction between "open camps" and "fortifications" is crucial. "Open camps" suggests unwalled, vulnerable settlements, while "fortifications" implies strong, walled cities. This assessment would determine the military strategy needed for conquest. Historically, many ancient Near Eastern cities were heavily fortified, reflecting the constant threat of warfare. From a spiritual perspective, this phrase can symbolize the challenges believers face in spiritual warfare. Just as the Israelites needed to understand their physical enemy, Christians are called to recognize and prepare for spiritual battles, relying on God's strength to overcome fortified strongholds of sin and opposition. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who sent the twelve spies to scout the land of Canaan. He is a central figure in the account, guiding the people according to God's commands. 2. The Twelve SpiesRepresentatives from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, tasked with exploring Canaan and reporting back on its conditions. 3. CanaanThe Promised Land that God had assured to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is the land being scouted by the spies. 4. IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, who are on the brink of entering the land promised to them by God. 5. The Wilderness of ParanThe location from which the spies were sent out to explore Canaan. It represents a place of transition and testing for the Israelites. Teaching Points Discernment in LeadershipMoses exemplifies the importance of gathering information and seeking God's guidance before making decisions. Leaders today should also seek wisdom and discernment in their decision-making processes. Faith vs. FearThe question of whether the land is "good or bad" and whether the cities are "open camps or fortifications" reflects a deeper issue of faith versus fear. Believers are called to trust in God's promises rather than be swayed by intimidating circumstances. The Importance of PerspectiveThe spies' report would greatly influence the morale and faith of the Israelites. Our perspective and the way we report or interpret situations can impact others' faith and courage. God's Promises and Human ResponsibilityWhile God promised the land to the Israelites, they were still responsible for taking action and trusting in His provision. Believers today must balance faith in God's promises with active obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the mission of the twelve spies reflect the balance between human responsibility and divine promise in our own lives? 2. In what ways can fear and doubt affect our perception of the challenges we face, similar to the spies' mission in Canaan? 3. How can we apply the principle of seeking discernment and wisdom in leadership decisions in our personal or professional lives? 4. What are some modern-day "fortifications" or challenges that might cause us to doubt God's promises, and how can we overcome them? 5. How does the account of the twelve spies connect with the New Testament teachings on faith and obedience, and what practical steps can we take to strengthen our faith in challenging times? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 1:22-25This passage provides additional context to the mission of the spies, showing the people's desire to have the land scouted before entering. Joshua 2:1-24The account of Rahab and the spies sent by Joshua to Jericho, which parallels the mission of the twelve spies and highlights themes of faith and God's providence. Hebrews 3:16-19Reflects on the unbelief of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, providing a New Testament perspective on the events of Numbers 13. 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 Bad, Camps, Cities, Dwell, Dwelling, Fortifications, Fortified, Fortresses, Holds, Kind, Living-places, Open, Sort, Strong, Strongholds, Tent-circles, Tents, Towns, Unwalled, Walled, WhetherDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 13:1-20 5552 spies Numbers 13:17-20 4926 delay, human 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 13:19 NIVNumbers 13:19 NLTNumbers 13:19 ESVNumbers 13:19 NASBNumbers 13:19 KJV
Numbers 13:19 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
