THE LESSON BACKGROUND.
After the Israelites left Mount Sinai and arrived at Kadesh-barnea which was near the border of Canaan, God commanded Moses to “send…men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel” (see Numbers 13:2). When the twelve chosen spies returned from exploring the land, ten of the twelve men brought a report indicating that the people would not be able to take the land because of giants. This caused all the people to weep in fear (see Numbers 14:1). But two of the twelve, Joshua and Caleb, declared that Israel was “well able” to take possession of the land (see Numbers 13:30). They also said “If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us” (see Numbers 14:8). The people believed the evil report from the other ten spies and turned against Joshua and Caleb. This led the people to call for the stoning of Joshua and Caleb (see Numbers 14:10). At this point, “the glory of the LORD appeared in the temple of the congregation“ in front of all the people, and God told Moses that because the people had constantly provoked Him, He would destroy them and start all over with Moses (see Numbers 14:11-12). This is where our lesson begins.