Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. We will be celebrating Bethany’s 50+3 Anniversary in August 2026

2. The passing of time can somehow affect both Faith and Focus adversely

3. The challenge for us is to find a fresh inspiration to press on without feelings of fatigue

4. The testimony of a man called Caleb the son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah is most inspiring

A SPECIAL COMMAND FROM GOD

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, everyone a leader among them.”

3 So Moses sent them from the Wilderness of Paran according to the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the children of Israel.

Numbers 13:1-3

1. Spying out the land of Canaan

a) The Land was promised by the Lord

b) But it was an unknown country to the children of Israel

c) An expedition would provide useful knowledge of Canaan

2. Leaders from among the Twelve Tribes to be chosen

a) Moses must do his part

b) He must choose and appoint leaders for this task of exploring Canaan

c) Moses understood and complied

i) They were leaders in their own right

ii) They were called “heads of the children of Israel”

AN HONOURED LIST OF LEADERS

4 Now these were their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur; 5 from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori; 6 from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; 7 from the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph; 8 from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun; 9 from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu; 10 from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi; 11 from the tribe of Joseph, that is, from the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi; 12 from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli; 13 from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael; 14 from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi; 15 from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
16 These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.

Numbers 13:4 -16

1. Caleb the son of Jephunneh was from the tribe of Judah

2. Hoshea the son of Nun was from the tribe of Ephraim

3. It was Moses who gave Joshua his name (Hoshea to Joshua)

a) “Hoshea” means “general idea of deliverance or salvation”

b) Its root is from the word that gives us Joshua

c) “Joshua” has a deeper focus. It means God is Salvation. The emphasis is the Lord’s part in bringing about deliverance or salvation

d) There developed a strong bond between Moses and Joshua over time

THE TASK ASSIGNED

17 Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, 18 and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; 19 whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; 20 whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Numbers 13:17-20

1. A mountain view

a) To spy out the lands from a distance

b) To have a better understanding of the terrain

2. A close up view

a) Be familiar with the Terrain of Canaan

b) Learn about the Canaanites dwelling there

c) Learn about the defences of the land

d) Bring samples of food from the land of Canaan

THE FORTY-DAYS MISSION

21 So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, near the entrance of Hamath. 22 And they went up through the South and came to Hebron; Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. 24 The place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the men of Israel cut down there. 25 And they returned from spying out the land after forty days.

Numbers 13:21-25

1. The Twelve spies swiftly explored the land of Canaan

2. They saw the descendants of Anak
They were huge in size (giants)

3. They cut off one cluster of grapes, some pomegranates and figs

4. It took two men to carry one cluster of grapes on a pole!

VITAL LESSONS

1. Moses’ role in Israel was unique

2. More leaders must arise

3. In time, potential leaders may arise

4. Two stood out

a) Joshua the son of Nun

b) Caleb the son of Jephunneh

CONCLUSION

1. Our challenge is to recognise that Leaders need to be found

2. Potential leadership skills must be carefully verified

3. The actual Mission placed these men in danger
They would be in enemy territory

4. They must be prepared to suffer any adverse circumstances