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Series 3:
Lesson 50: |
MOSES
THE SPIES |
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Passage to Study: Numbers 13 and 14; Deuteronomy 1:19-46.
Read with the class: Numbers 13:17-33.
Memorization Text: Younger children - Psalm 106:24.
Older children - Psalm 106:24-25.
OBJECTIVES: To teach:
1. That the Lord allows us to have experiences that strengthen our faith.
2. That lack of faith can lead one to make great mistakes.
3. That unbelief is sin.
4. That the sin of unbelief leads to disobedience.
5. That it is most important for each one to believe and obey the Word of God.
SCENE No. 1. VISUAL AIDS: Background of a desert scene showing the Kadesh area. Figures of
Moses choosing twelve spies and assigning them their duties. A map of the Israelites
journey showing the 640 kms. They traveled to reach this place.
DEVELOPMENT:
- In ancient times it was customary to send out spies or scouts to reconnoitre a
land before entering it, in order to become
thoroughly acquainted with the area. Deut.1:21-22; 2:22-23.
- It was not really necessary for the children of Israel to do this. They had received
great and wonderful promises from the Lord about the good and fertile land He was giving
them. Ex.3:17; 13:5; Lev. 20:24,
- He had also told them about the enemies who lived in this land, whom He would judge for
their sinfulness.
- Despite all these promises and the evidences of God's care of them up to this time, the
people do not fully trust the Lord.
Sug. Ask the students to give an example of complete trust. It is not a leap in the
dark but a response to step out on what is
revealed by the light. Trust is not just an intellectual assent to a truth, but
acting on what the truth reveals.
Ex. Someone might recommend the effectiveness of a tool, or a procedure, or the preferred
route to drive. Trust is to respond to what has been said.
- The Israelites request that spies be sent to see if the land really is as they have been
told. Deut. 1:22.
Cns. This project is not God's idea, but man's, and because it is based on human decision,
it will end in disaster.
- Each tribe is represented by one of twelve men.
- Since each of the emissaries has been specially selected, their different experiences in
the past will have convinced them of God's power to overcome any and all obstacles.
Apl. For a person to be able to serve the Lord effectively, he needs to have learned to
trust Him in a variety of situations in life.
Sug. Discuss with the students the feelings of the spies. There would be a mixture of fear
of the unknown and also enthusiasm as they embark on the adventure of exploring new lands.
- It required a measure of faith to begin such a journey.
- The rest of the Israelites share in the excitement as they watch the spies depart,
following them with their eyes until they are
seen no more.
Cmt. On conversion, the believer begins a journey of faith and throughout his life is
expected to continue trusting in the Lord, who will show Himself faithful.
SCENE No. 2. VISUAL AIDS: The same scene, 40 days later . Figures of the
Israelites anxiously awaiting the return of the spies, who appear loaded with fruits of
the land.
DEVELOPMENT:
Cns. Discuss with the students the things the Israelites would talk about during the
absence of the spies. Would they be hopeful about the future? Would they wish
to return to Egypt? Would they be optimistic or pessimistic?
- The spies finally arrive 40 days later, bringing samples of the fruit they found in the
land.
Cns. God has been faithful with them and has brought them all back safely.
- The grapes, the pomegranates and the figs they bring with them show how fertile is the
land of Canaan.
- These are a few of the benefits that await the people who, during the journey through
the desert, have seen little or nothing of such things.
Cmt. In contrast to the arid desert where they are camped, the evidence of a fruitful land
before them should have encouraged the Israelites to move forward.
Sug. The teacher might wonder out loud who would taste the fruit brought back. It
was insufficient to be tasted by everybody. However, each tribe had a representative in
the group who would describe the tastiness of the fruit.
Apl. Those who have experienced God's blessing in salvation give witness to the
satisfaction it brings. Ps 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him."
- The report they bring reveals that the land is more productive than they expected.
- Proof of this is the size of the fruit they brought back..
- Nevertheless, the people listen with fear to the spies' report of the walled cities and
the size of its inhabitants.
- Ten of them speak more of the problems than of the benefits.
- Moses receives their report, disturbed by the fear and lack of faith shown by the
Israelites.
- The Promised Land shows every evidence of being fertile and prosperous.
- It was much better than what the Israelites had known in Egypt.
- Because they pay more attention to the size of the Canaanites than to the unlimited
power of God, the 10 spies claim they looked like grasshoppers beside them.
- Joshua and Caleb remind the people that God has more power than any of the giants of
Canaan, and they counsel them not to be rebellious.
- Their advice to trust and enter Canaan is not accepted.
- The Israelites imagine themselves fighting the giants alone.
- They do not take into account the power of God and His promise to be with them.
- Angry and unbelieving, they decide to stone Joshua and Caleb.
Apl. Lack of faith can lead a person to make serious mistakes.
SCENE No. 3. SUGGESTED VISUAL AIDS: A group of Israelites listening to the spies
talk.
Words surrounded by a flash of light, "The unbelieving will die in this
wilderness". (Num. 14:29)
Figure of Caleb encouraging the people to go plus another figure of a spy influencing the
people to do the opposite A group of (modern) children listen to false tales rather than
the truth to be found in the Holy Scriptures.
Two texts written separately: 2 Thessalonians 2:12, 13.
"That they all might be condemned who believed not the truth".
(and)
"We give thanks to God ... because (of) salvation through .... belief in the
truth."
DEVELOPMENT:
- The 10 spies succeed in influencing the people against entering the Promised Land.
Apl. It is important that we listen to those who take God into account when they speak,
and turn a deaf ear to those who do not.
Cns. Much damage is done when someone in a group spreads erroneous tales that put in doubt
the truth told by others.
- The people begin to cry and weep, regretting that they did not die in the wilderness.
- They complain against God Himself, (Num.14:3-4) and talk about finding a captain who
will take them back to Egypt.
- Joshua and Caleb try to remind the people that God has greater power than the giants of
Canaan, but the people talk of stoning them.
- The glory of the Lord appears in judgment but Moses and Aaron intercede with God for the
people.
Cmt. The manifestation of the glory of God shows He has been silently listening to the
words spoken and observing the unbelief that has gripped the heart of the people
Cns. Moses is called the meekest man on earth. This is evidenced by his intercession on
behalf of the people.
- God accepts the intercession of Moses but orders that the Israelites return to the
desert to wander there for the remaining 40 years, during which time all those who refused
to believe will die.
- Only Caleb and Joshua will enter the promised land and possess a part of it.
- The death of the 10 spies occurs immediately because of the evil report they brought.
Num.14:36-38.
Cns. The 10 spies had no faith in the power of God and suffered the consequences of their
lack of faith. (See verses from 2 Thess.2.)
2 Thess. 2:12 warns about the danger of unbelief.
2 Thess. 2:13 speaks of blessing as a result of believing the truth.
Apl. Many listen to and believe things presented to them which are not in accordance with
the Word of God. As a result they will suffer as did the Israelites.
Cmt. The mistaken ideas and philosophies which run counter to the truth of Scripture and
which influences youth today are found in many areas. These include the lyrics of
the songs they sing, the videos they watch, the comments they hear from others, besides
the distorted value system developed by society. |
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