Moses sent twelve spies to Canaan in Numbers 13.  He gave them a charge in verse 17-20 and they reported back, after a 40 day trip, in verses 25-33.  Here is a brief summary of what the spies were to look for and what they found:

–          See what the land is  –  it flows with milk and honey

–          Are the people strong or weak  –  stronger than us

–          Are there few or many people  –  more than us

–          Is the land where they dwell good or bad  –  the land is good

–          Are their cities camps or strongholds  –  fortified and very large

–          Is the land rich or poor  – the land is good

–          Are there any trees  –  yes

–          Bring back some fruit  – these grapes are huge!

–          Be of good courage  – but there are giants out there!

Then Caleb said, “let’s go take the land; we can do it.”

The Ten faithless spies said, “Oh no, we can’t! Those giants are BIG!”

And the people cried all night.  The next morning they grumbled, wanted a new leader, and wished they would have died in Egypt or in the wilderness rather than die trying to move into Canaan.

Then Joshua said, “The land is good.  Don’t fear those people, because God is on our side.”

And the people wanted to stone Joshua.

But the LORD intervened.  His Shekinah Glory showed up in the tent and he threatened to wipe out the nation and start over with Moses as the new Abraham. Moses interceded and God forgave.  But, as punishment for rejecting the land, (a) the Israelites would be in the wilderness forty years (one year for each day of the spy mission); (b) all adults over age 20 (except Caleb and Joshua) were doomed to die in the wilderness, as they wished; and (c) the ten faithless spies died of a plague.

So, the promised land was exceedingly fine but the inhabitants were big and numerous.  Those who trusted the LORD knew He was able to clear out the Canaanites; those who did not trust Him could not see past the giants. Trust, faith, and sight are linked together.