Whose idea was it to send the twelve spies into the Promised Land?
The sending of the twelve spies was Israel's idea, not God's. The people doubted God's promise to drive out their enemies and give them the land, so they asked Moses to send men to search it out. God graciously permitted it, but it was not His intention.
Les explains that the sending in of the twelve spies was not God's idea; it was a weakness of the flesh. Israel said, "But oh, we don't know. Can't we send in spies?" God, in His goodness and graciousness, allowed them to send spies, but that was not His intention. They were saying to Moses, "We don't really believe that God is going to do what He says He'd do, but let us send in men that can confirm, and they can tell us what to do." They were taking things out of God's hands and putting them into the hands of mere mortals. God had told them He would have everything ready, drive out their enemies, and all they had to do was occupy.