The LORD brings His people to the wilderness of Paran, the brink of the Promised Land. He commands Moses to send twelve spies into Canaan, one spy from each tribe. Moses sends them into the land and asks them to bring back a report concerning the people of the land, their cities, and their produce. He tells them to be of good courage because he knows that the LORD has promised this land to His people. When the spies return to Moses and the people of Israel after forty days, ten spies note the goodness of the land but express fear at the strength of the cities and the people. Only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, encourage the people of Israel to go to the land of Canaan and take it, according to the LORD’s promise. The ten unfaithful spies, however, continue to give their bad report, leading the people toward terrible rebellion.

Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Numbers 13:1-33.

"Wilderness Wanderings” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Numbers. After the LORD delivers His people from slavery in Egypt, He leads them toward the Promised Land. Although the first generation of Israelites proves faithless, the LORD remains faithful to His people and brings a new generation of Israelites to the plains of Moab. This strengthens us to listen to God’s promises today and stay faithful to Him as He guides us toward resurrection life.