God's original plan was for Israel to enter the Promised Land immediately by faith — the twelve spies were never His idea.
God told Israel to go up and possess the land, promising to drive out the inhabitants and send hornets before them. Les Feldick emphasizes that the request to send in twelve spies came from Israel's unbelief, not from God. God only condescended to their request after they insisted.
Deuteronomy 1:21 — God commanded Israel to go up and possess the land, with no instruction to scout it first.
Exodus 23:28 — God promised to send hornets ahead of Israel to drive out the Canaanites, showing His plan was for them to enter and occupy.
In Deuteronomy 1:20-21, Moses reminds Israel that they had come to the mountain of the Amorites and that the LORD their God had set the land before them, commanding, "Go up and possess it... fear not, neither be discouraged." Nothing in that command tells them to send spies first. The next verse, Deuteronomy 1:22, shows it was the people who came to Moses and said, "We will send men before us, and they shall search out the land, and bring us word again." The Bible also reveals God's intended means of conquest: "And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee" (Exodus 23:28).
Les Feldick teaches that God never intended the twelve spies to enter the land. God's plan was for the nation of Israel to go right on in by faith, knowing that He would take care of the inhabitants. God had already demonstrated His power at the Red Sea, where Israel crossed by faith, and He had promised to drive out the enemy and have everything ready for them. He emphasizes that the request to send in spies was not God's idea—it was weakness of the flesh and unbelief. Israel could not take God at His word, so they asked Moses to let men search the land first. God, in His goodness, condescended to their request, but it was a serious mistake. The ten spies returned with the report that Israel could not drive out the Canaanites, even though God had said, "I'll drive them out, I'll use hornets." Israel's unbelief kept them from entering God's rest—a land already prepared where they could have walked in and possessed it without labor.
No. Les teaches that when God said, "Go in and take the land," He never instructed Israel to search it out first. God intended for them to enter by faith, because He had promised to drive out the Canaanites.
God said He would send hornets ahead and drive the Canaanites out, so that Israel only had to move in and take what was there. Les points out that Israel could have had the land with everything ready—vineyards, farms, houses—without one ounce of work.
At Kadesh-Barnea, Israel asked Moses to send men to spy out the land. Les explains this was their way of saying they did not really believe God would do what He said. God condescended and let them send the spies, but the ten returned with a report of fear: "We can never do it."
Why Israel Failed to Enter the Promised Land (Exodus 23 & Deut 1)
So we'll be doing that in the not -too-far-distant future. Now again, I'm always having to be reminded that even though we're here for a whole afternoon, this is a new week for those of you in television, and again, we'd like to remind you that our programs all the way back to the beginning are available on VCR.
Go Up and Possess It by Faith
Les emphasizes that God told Israel to go up and possess the land, and the twelve spies were not part of God's intention.
Crossing into Canaan by Faith
Les compares entering the land to crossing the Red Sea—both required faith; the spies were Israel's idea, not God's.
The 12 Spies Were Israel's Request
Les says God never intended for Israel to search out the land; when they insisted, God condescended.
First Step of Unbelief
Les explains that after Sinai, everything was in place and God promised to drive out the Canaanites; Israel's request for spies was their first step of unbelief.
Israel Could Have Entered God's Rest
Les shows that the land was ready and Israel could have entered God's rest without work, but they missed it.
Taking Matters Out of God's Hands
Les highlights that by asking for spies, Israel took things out of God's hands and put their confidence in mere mortals.
God Promised Hornets and Victory
Les describes how God said He would drive out the Canaanites with hornets, yet Israel still refused to believe and wept at the report.
Deuteronomy 1:20: And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us.
Moses reminds Israel that God was giving them the land even before they advanced.
Deuteronomy 1:21: Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
God's command to possess the land came without any instruction to send spies first.
Deuteronomy 1:22: And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
This verse shows the request for spies came from the people, not from God.
Exodus 23:28: And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
God planned to drive out the inhabitants Himself so Israel could enter and occupy.
No. Les teaches that God never intended for Israel to search out the land. God told them to go in by faith and promised to drive out the inhabitants.
God promised to send hornets before Israel and to drive out the Canaanites. Israel would simply move in and occupy the land that was already prepared.
Les says their problem was unbelief. They could not take God at His word, so they insisted on sending spies first, and then they believed the spies' fearful report instead of God's promise.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Enter the Promised Land (Exodus 23 & Deut 1)