Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 13-14)

When the people of Israel were preparing to go into the land which God promised them they first sent out spies to see if the land was truly good. This would help them prepare as well as see what they needed to do. 12 spies were to be sent out, one for every tribe of Israel, two of these spies were Joshua and Caleb. After the spies came back from the promise land all of them except Joshua and Caleb said bad things about the land. Focusing on how the people were giants and strong, how could Israel ever defeat them? But Joshua and Caleb did not focus on the negative but on how what God promised them would be there was there. It was an abundant land flowing with milk and honey, through God Joshua and Caleb knew all things were possible so they told the truth about the land. Not making it seem any better or any worse than it was. They didn't even deny that the people there were mighty men but rather said that God will deliver the land over to the Israelites just as He had promised.

For telling the whole truth and not just one side God was very proud of Joshua and Caleb. It lead to them getting great blessings and gifts from God, however the other 10 spies God was not proud of. They didn't tell the whole truth about what happened.

(Suggested Questions to ask Children about the story)

Have you ever told the truth and felt like it was the right thing to do? -This could be continued with a why or why not. If the child feels like telling the truth wasn't right look at the positive of it or show them a different way to have told someone the truth without as much of a negative reaction.

Have you ever told a lie and then felt guilty? What do you think would have been a better thing to do?

If God was proud of Joshua and Caleb when they told the truth do you think he will be proud of you?

If God was sad that the other spies didn't tell the people of Israel the whole truth do you think he is sad when you don't tell the whole truth about something that happened?