CHILDREN STS LESSON 44 THE SPIES’ REPORT AND ISRAEL’S REBELLION
Numbers 13:1-33; 14:1-45
The children of Israel came near the land of Canaan after crossing the Red Sea. Soon they would march into the Promised Land. God told Moses to send twelve spies ahead to survey the land to find out some things. Spies are people who try to get confidential information and keep a secret watch on the movements and affairs of others. These twelve heads of the tribes of Israel were sent to search and find out the following facts about the land of Canaan:
(i)To know whether the land was good or bad, rich or poor.
(ii) To examine the state of the people that lived there, whether they are strong or weak.
(iii) To see their dwelling place, whether they lived in tents or cities with strongholds.
(iv) Lastly, to bring the fruits of the land.
These twelve spies went up and searched the land in obedience to Moses, their leader. They even brought back the fruit of the land after searching for forty days. If the story had ended this way, it would have been better for them. However, they spoiled their testimony by bringing back evil reports. Their actions arose out of unbelief and disregard for all that the Lord had done in their midst. They made the whole congregation to rebel against God. Their rebellion now brought God’s judgment on them.
It was only Caleb and Joshua that brought back good report. The lessons we learn here are:
(a) Majority may not always be right and acceptable to God. The Bible thus counsels that we must not follow the multitude to do evil.
(b) Rebellion is evil and will always attract divine punishment. Therefore, children must not rebel against God’s word, no matter what happen.
(c) There is reward for exercising faith and absolute trust in God.
1.THE SPIES’ REPORT: Numbers 13:1-33; 32:7-9
After searching out the land for forty days, the spies came back with different reports. Ten of them which was the majority brought back an unfavorable, fearful and discouraging reports. They confessed their inability to go in and possess the land of promise because
(i) There were giants in the land.
(ii) They see themselves as grasshoppers before the giants.
(iii) The cities were walled and well protected.
(iv) The people were stronger than they are.
These evil reports made the people of Israel to weep all night (Numbers 14:1). The ten spies forgot all the miracles God did among them in the wilderness. On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua presented a minority report, which shows their faith in God’s power and faithfulness to His covenant promise. These two people acknowledged God’s sovereignty and power over all His creatures. They confessed that they are well able to go in at once to possess the land flowing with milk and honey. They remembered how God has kept His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their own generation.
God was not happy with the evil reports of the ten leaders, so He pronounced judgment upon the ten spies and the whole congregation of Israel. Do not join others to doubt or disobey God’s word. Be on the side of those who believe and exercise faith in God’s unfailing promises. There are rewards for the faithful as well as punishment for being unfaithful.
- SEVERE CONSEQUENCE FOR ISRAEL’S REBELLION: Numbers 14:1-23,25-37,39-45; 32:10-13
The negative reports from the ten spies made the children of Israel to rebel against God. Their rebellion was manifested in their words and actions. They
(i) Wept and cried all night in unbelief.
(ii) Murmured against Moses and Aaron, their leaders.
(iii) Complained and expressed desire to die instead of living to enjoy the good plan of God for them.
(iv) Wanted to return to Egypt, the land of bondage and suffering.
(v) We’re ready to stone Moses and the two spies who gave good reports.
The children of Israel had experienced redemption and God’s miracle among them. Yet they complained against God, hardened their hearts, rebelled against the Lord, rejected Him in unbelief, refused to listen to His voice, ceased to obey His commandments and turned back from following the Lord. Their rebellion brought upon them the wrath of God, death and destruction, failure to enter the land of Canaan and loss of God’s rest. What a tragedy! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
The counsel of God to us as friends of Jesus is in Hebrews 3:12 which says “Take heed, brethren, (boys and girls) lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Rebellion and unbelief come from an evil heart. Therefore, you must never at any time give in to unbelief or rebellion against God and His word. If you are rebellious against your parents, constituted authorities and God’s word, it is time for you to repent. Ask God for forgiveness and cleansing of your sin with the blood of Jesus. Believe the word of God, obey it and you will be blessed.
3.SPECIAL BLESSINGS FOR THE OBEDIENT: Numbers 14:24,38; 32:12
Both Joshua and Caleb stood against the majority opinion of the spies. They had firm commitment to God and full confidence in His promises to Israel as a people. They refused to join others to rebel against God, even at the risk of their lives. What was the result of their exemplary behaviour? God pronounced special blessings on them. Joshua later became the leader who led them to the Promised Land and shared the land to the younger generation.
Both of them lived long enough to enter the land flowing with milk and honey and possessed their inheritance. They died at a very old age and went to heaven for their eternal reward. There are great blessings for now and eternity for children who will remain faithful and loyal to Christ and His word. Be counted among such children. Be obedient to God’s word so you can eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19).
QUESTIONS:
- How many spies were sent out to spy out the land of Canaan?
- How many of the spies brought evil reports?
- What were the evil reports brought by the unbelieving spies?
- Who were the spies that brought back good reports?
- How were the disobedient people punished?
- What are the blessings for the obedient?
MEMORY VERSE: “If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not“ (Numbers 14:8,9).
LESSON: God desires that we believe and claim all His promises for our own good.
THOUGHT: I trust God to fulfil all His promises in my life.
ACTIVITY: Read Numbers 13:25-33 and summarize the reports of the spies in the spaces provided. The question below serves as a guide.
- ______________________________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________________________
- ______________________________________________________________________________
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(1) The spies came. ______________________________________________________________
(2) The land flourished with __________________________________that dwell in it.
(3) The people be ______________________________________________________
(4) The ________________________and ____________________________ dwell there.
(5) Caleb stilled the people and said, ____________________________________
(6) All the people we saw in it are. __________________________________________
(7) We were in our own sight as __________________________
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 177 – SEARCH ME, O GOD
CHORUSES:
(1) Be careful little mouth, what you say.
(2) 1 am ready to obey Thy word.
(3) Through it all, I have learned to trust in Jesus.
HOMEWORK: Preach the love of Jesus to one child during the week.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Spies
- Rebellion
- Strongholds
- Faithfulness
- Redemption.
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