Kesher Talk

As described in Numbers (chapters 13-14), the Jewish people left Mount Sinai poised to enter the Holy Land. God permitted Moses to send 12 spies -- one prince from each tribe -- to scout the land and report back.

When the spies returned, they gave a negative report, saying that the land was "unconquerable." This demoralized the people, and in turn led to national hysteria. Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, unsuccessfully tried to sway the people back.

As punishment for believing the report, God condemned the nation to wander and die in the wilderness. A new generation would enter the land 40 years later. ("First Report from the Holyland")

posted by Howard @ 6/03/2002 01:20:14 PM