Daily Devotional

“Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan” (Numbers 13:17). 

Spies have been around almost as long as life on earth. The oldest recorded espionage, outside of Scripture, occurred around 1274 BC, when two Hittite spies wandered into Ramses II’s Egyptian army camp. Posing as defectors, the spies convinced the Egyptians the Hittite army was distant. The result? Part of Ramses’ army fell into an ambush, but more spies were caught and interrogated. The truth came out and the Egyptians eventually won the battle. 

When Moses sent the twelve spies into the territory of Canaan, only two of them—Caleb and Joshua—spied on the land through the eyes of faith. Where the others focused on the negative aspects of the countryside, the two faithful spies saw great opportunity for their people. 

Forty days later they returned to camp carrying samples of large, luscious fruit, and the men reported a beautiful land that “truly flows with milk and honey.” But ten of the spies then turned the report into something very negative, complaining of strong inhabitants and fortified cities. 

At that point, Caleb spoke up: “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Numbers 13:30). He knew God would lead them and make them victorious, but the people weren’t willing to accept the truth. 

The faithless spies continued to discourage the idea, and the Hebrews believed their negative report. They even wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua! Because they weren’t willing to trust the Lord’s leading, none of the Israelites was allowed to enter the Promised Land except for the two faithful spies. 

When Caleb and Joshua finally entered Canaan forty years later, Caleb, then in his mid-eighties, purposely settled in a region inhabited by the huge, fierce descendants of Anak. With the Lord beside him, he conquered this dreaded enemy, encouraging other Israelites to possess the land promised to them by God. 

Dear God, like the trusting Caleb, help us to believe Your Word and to see with the eyes of faith.