What did God intend for Israel to do instead of spying out the land?
God intended Israel to trust Him explicitly rather than spy out the land. He had already delivered them from Egypt and through the Red Sea, so they were to rely on His power. Once the tabernacle was ready, God would lead them straight north into the Promised Land without delay.
Les teaches that the sending of the twelve spies was not part of God's plan at all, though most casual Bible students do not understand this. God intended Israel to trust Him explicitly after He had miraculously brought them out of Egypt and through the Red Sea. The Canaanites, even if seven or eight feet tall, were nothing compared to such a God. Instead of delaying with spies, God wanted Israel to raise up the tabernacle as soon as it was completed—about a year later—and He would take them right straight north into the Promised Land. There was to be no delay with twelve spies or any such thing.