Israel had to fight because their unbelief at Kadesh Barnea cost them the battle-free entrance God had promised.
God had promised to drive out the Canaanites so Israel could walk in and take the land. But at Kadesh Barnea the nation refused to believe Him and insisted on sending spies. That unbelief led to the wilderness wanderings, and when the next generation entered under Joshua, they faced warfare instead of an easy possession. Les Feldick emphasizes that the fighting was not God's original plan but the consequence of missed opportunity.
Deuteronomy 1:20-21 — Moses commanded Israel at Kadesh Barnea to go up and possess the land that God had already set before them.
Joshua 1:2 — After the wilderness years, God again commanded Israel to cross the Jordan and enter the land He was giving them.
At Kadesh Barnea, Moses told Israel, "Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us" (Deuteronomy 1:20). He then said, "Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it" (Deuteronomy 1:21). The land was given before they fought. After the wilderness years, God commanded Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel" (Joshua 1:2). God still gave the land, but this time the command came after years of wandering. Scripture also records Israel fighting literal physical battles, such as the battle with Amalek at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-12), showing that Israel's warfare was real and physical.
Les Feldick explains that the battles were not part of God's original entrance plan. At Kadesh Barnea, God had everything ready: the Canaanites would be driven out, and the Israelites could walk into houses, vineyards, and farms without work or war. The nation's unbelief changed everything. They insisted on sending spies, even though God never intended that. When ten spies returned in fear, Israel refused to go in. Les says that because they did not believe God meant what He said, they lost the opportunity to enter without losing a single young son or lifting a sword. When the next generation finally crossed the Jordan under Joshua, God still gave them the land, but now they had to fight for it. Les also contrasts Israel's physical battles with the believer's spiritual warfare today.
God's original plan was for Israel to go right in and possess the land. Les points out that God promised to drive out the Canaanites, using hornets if necessary, so that the houses, vineyards, orchards, farms, and everything would be ready. Israel's part was simply to believe and walk in by faith, just as they had crossed the Red Sea. God never intended for the twelve spies to be sent; He told them to go up and possess it.
Les emphasizes that at Kadesh they could have had the whole land without losing a single young son and without having to lift a sword. Because of their unbelief, however, that easy entrance was lost. When they later entered under Joshua, they would have to fight wars and battles for every inch of the way. Yet even then, God mandated that the land was theirs.
The repeated problem at Kadesh Barnea was unbelief. Israel could not take God at His word. God said, "I'll drive them out," but the people said, "We are as grasshoppers in their sight." So God condescended to their request to send spies, and the result was missed opportunity. Les says this unbelief was the reason they did not enjoy the easy entrance God had prepared.
Les makes a distinction between Israel's experiences and ours. In the Old Testament, Israel could fight physical battles with God's help. Today, believers do not fight with guns and swords; our battles are spiritual, in the realm of the Spirit. The Amalek battle in Exodus shows the literal nature of Israel's warfare.
Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy
shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, and then shalt thou make thy way prosperous. Now, here again, this was the Old Testament fair format. If they were obedient, they would be blessed materially. If they were disobedient, the blessings would disappear.
The Land Was Ready for Instant Possession
At Kadesh Barnea, Israel could have entered a land already prepared — the land of milk and honey, God's rest — without any work or labor.
Unbelief Cost Them the Easy Entrance
Because of unbelief, Israel lost the chance to enter without losing a single young son or lifting a sword; later they had to fight.
God Promised to Drive Out the Canaanites
God had promised to drive out the enemy so everything would be ready, but Israel's unbelief stopped them from walking in.
Faith, Not Spies, Was God's Way
God never intended the twelve spies to decide whether Israel should enter; He had already told them to go up and possess the land by faith.
The Spies' Report Revealed Unbelief
The spies' fearful report ('we are as grasshoppers') contradicted God's promise, 'I'll drive them out,' showing the nation's unbelief.
Physical Battles Then, Spiritual Battles Now
Les contrasts Israel's literal physical battles — like the fight with Amalek — with the spiritual battles believers face today.
Fighting Battles But Still Receiving the Land
Under Joshua, Israel would have to fight wars, but God still mandated that the land was their gift.
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 reminded Israel that God had already given them the land before they faced any battle.
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 go up and possess it shows the land was a gift to be taken by faith.
Joshua 1:2: Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
After the wilderness years, God renewed the command to enter the land He was giving them.
Joshua 1:3: Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
God again promised that every place they stepped on was given to them.
Exodus 17:8: Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
Israel's fight with Amalek shows their battles were literal physical warfare.
Exodus 17:11: And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Moses' lifted hands show God's involvement in Israel's physical battles.
Exodus 17:12: But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Israel's victory depended on God's help, but it was still a physical battle.
Yes, according to Les Feldick. If they had believed at Kadesh Barnea, God would have driven out the Canaanites and they could have walked into a prepared land without lifting a sword. Their unbelief forfeited that easy entrance.
God's promise to give the land never changed. But because Israel refused to enter by faith, the manner of their entrance changed. Under Joshua, God still gave them the land, but they now had to fight for it.
Les teaches that Israel's warfare was physical, but believers today fight spiritual battles. We do not use guns and swords; we fight in the realm of the Spirit.
Watch the Teaching: Rahab's Shocking Faith — How a Harlot Ended Up in Jesus' Genealogy