Moses: Joshua & 12 Spies Sent to Canaan

Saturday, November 16, 2013

This lesson is about the 12 spies and the faith of Joshua and Caleb.

Today, we are in the Old Testament book that Moses wrote called Numbers in 13-14. God told Moses to have one man, a leader, from each tribe of Israel to spy the land of Canaan. There were 12 tribes, so there were 12 men sent to search the land of Canaan. Moses told them to go south, into the mountains.

They were to see what the people living there were like. How many were there? How was the land, is it good or bad? Are there forests? Are the cities like camps or they like strongholds? He told them to 'be of good courage' (be brave) and bring back some of the fruit from the land. It was the season for ripe grapes.

They searched the land and returned after 40 days. Numbers 13:25 They told the people that the land flowed with ‘milk & honey’, and they showed the people the grapes they had brought from the Valley of Eshcol. The branch was one grape cluster and was so big, they had to put it on a pole and carry it between 2 men! They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. They also told them that the people there were strong, and the cities were very large and protected.

Caleb quieted the people and told them “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it”. Numbers 13:30 But the other men that had spied the land, said that the “people are a lot stronger than us. We can’t win against them! They are tall like giants, and we are like grasshoppers!” Numbers 13:33

The people complained and said, “We should have just stayed in Egypt to die!” They didn’t have enough faith, still, in God and His power! But Joshua and Caleb, 2 of the men that searched the land of Canaan, tore their clothes and spoke to everyone. They told the people that it was very good land, and if the Lord is happy with them, then He would give the land to them! It is a land that 'flows with milk & honey'! But don't fight the Lord, and don't fear the people in Canaan. The Lord is with us! Do not fear them! (Vs 8-9) The people were so upset, they wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb!

God told them because of their lack of faith, all the people that were 20 years and older would die in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua and the younger people would enter into the Promised Land. Numbers 14:29-30

Because some of the spies didn’t believe God would protect them, and they had searched the land for 40 days, God would make the people wander in the wilderness for 40 years (1 year for each 1 day). Numbers 14:34 Joshua and Caleb were the only spies that had faith in God. The other 10 died from a plague. Numbers 14:37

(The mummies are soldiers from Dollar Tree and are the same guys I used for the Ark of the Covenant. My nieces helped me wrap them in a paper towel, we were discussing what I wanted, and I wanted white, but didn't have enough fabric on hand. Mattie said, "How about toilet paper", and I said, "Good idea, but we'll use paper towels"! I want to remove it and use the guys for something else. So, we wrapped them up tight, used masking tape on the back and used the string to finish the effect. I wanted to show the kids that 12 were sent by God, but only two really believed that God would keep protecting them, providing for them, watching over them, etc.)

After their time of wandering in the wilderness, Moses went to the top of Mount Abarim to see the Promised Land. Numbers 27:12 Moses made Joshua the next leader. Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. Moses lived 120 years. Deuteronomy 34:7

This is the visual I make for the 12 spies returning from the Promised Land. I used 2 Ken dolls, covered them Bible times clothing, added a stick and a section of plastic grapes. Moses is standing with them, and the 10 unbelieving spies that died from a plague are on the other end of the display.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3uNEVAAKowpNy0xS2c5QjVEa1E/edit?usp=sharing

Click here to print the worksheet.

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These visuals have been updated with most of the background removed as shown.

The visuals are not all shown that are in the download.
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Click here to download the pictures to color.
(These are the same as the visuals but are black & white.)

This is today's cut & glue picture to color. I print the backgrounds on different color cardstock, and the pictures for the students to cut are on regular paper. You can print it here.

Click here to print the same picture, but is a picture to color (no cutting).