Send the Spies

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the Chosen People. 00:00:03 Speaker 2: Your name my son, Moose, son of none Osheya, my son, you did everything I asked of you. 00:00:18 Speaker 3: You did well. 00:00:21 Speaker 2: I'd have you lead the armies for me. Oshea, stand by my side and learn from me. You have an obedient and faithful spirit. With such a spirit, there's no limit to what you can do on behalf of God and for our people. 00:00:38 Speaker 4: You let us well, My friend, with courage far beyond your years or experience. The name's Caleb, son of Jeffany. 00:00:46 Speaker 5: I have seen the affliction of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries and beheld their suffering. I have come to deliver them out of slaver and carry them to a land of promise, a vast and vibrant land heaving with life, a land flowing with milk and honey. 00:01:13 Speaker 2: Tell each man to be equipped for battle. There's no telling what perils will face on the White Decadian. The wilderness is treacherous, the path is long. 00:01:27 Speaker 6: Click the link of the description to grow closer to God. There you'll find daily prayers, Bible plans, sleep stories, and so much more, all on the prey dot Com app. Click the link of the description to get started. 00:01:41 Speaker 1: Whose sheer could feel his heartbeat in his throat, and he fought the urge to wipe his sweaty hands on his cloak. He stood before all of Israel, just outside the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Moses was proclaiming their mandate before the nation, his mandate, the mandate of the eleven other men who stood beside. 00:02:03 Speaker 2: Him, Shamuas son of Zakur, from the tribe of Reuben, Shaffat, son of Hurri, from the tribe of Simeon, Caleb, son of Jeffuna, from the tribe of Judah, hi Gal, son of Joseph, from the tribe of Isikar, Joshua, son of None, from the tribe of Ephraim Parti, son. 00:02:19 Speaker 3: Of Rabah Joshua. 00:02:22 Speaker 1: He was Joshua now, though the name still felt foreign, as if it belonged to someone else. Days earlier, Moses had pulled him aside, speaking of the importance of this mission. The people were growing anxious. They had left Hazaroth, mourned those lost to grumbling and the quails blague, and now stood at Kaidish on the border of the wilderness of Paran. God's people were on the brink of their promised land. Feeling the elder's pressure, Moses shared with Joshua his decision to send a scouting party ahead. 00:02:58 Speaker 2: The people hold it when I walk by, but they gripe to the elders without abandon, knowing that it will. 00:03:05 Speaker 3: Make its way to me. They are cowards, but. 00:03:11 Speaker 2: They of course do not want to be seen as cowards. 00:03:14 Speaker 3: You can't blame them for being afraid. 00:03:16 Speaker 2: But I can blame them for the lack of faith, Osha. 00:03:20 Speaker 3: Faith is everything true. 00:03:26 Speaker 2: Nevertheless, a good leader listeners, That's why I've gathered you and the elders. 00:03:32 Speaker 3: Are you going to send a scouting party? 00:03:34 Speaker 2: I do, Osha? 00:03:37 Speaker 3: Would you go and lead them? Me lead the scouting party? 00:03:41 Speaker 2: Yes, you seem surprised. 00:03:43 Speaker 3: I'd ask you, Moses. You know I will do whatever you ask, but I do not know the way. Ha ha ha. Do not fear, young Husai. 00:03:54 Speaker 2: I would not send you alone. I have men who would prepare you with maps and knowledge of the terrain, roads and cities. 00:04:01 Speaker 3: That is could When would you have us go? 00:04:04 Speaker 1: Moses looked at Hoshier for a moment, considering Hoshier stiffened under his gaze, even after all this time, and though he profoundly admired Moses. He was still an intimidating man, for he could perceive in him, deep under the surface, deep rolling anger, ranging from a righteous anger to an indignant sense of injustice. Joshua supposed it fueled the determination to lead their nation, lending him strength and tenacity. He couldn't sense it now, but he knew it was deep within. He did his best not to shrink under moses steady gaze. 00:04:45 Speaker 2: I did not tell you this enough. I am grateful for you. I've not known loyalty like yours. 00:04:53 Speaker 1: Hosher was speechless. He could feel his face turning bright red, and the more he thought about how read it was growing, the more heat traveled to his cheeks. 00:05:04 Speaker 3: Thank you, Moses. I don't know what to say. You've been like a father to me. It is you I should be thanking. 00:05:11 Speaker 2: You truly are a kind of salvation. Your name Hoshea. Surely your parents told you of the meaning. I suppose they had hoped that our people would eventually be free from our oppressors. I'm sorry they didn't live to see it. Oh Shea, Your faithfulness to me and to our Lord will be rewarded someday. But until that day, I would offer you a blessing before you depart on this mission. 00:05:43 Speaker 7: For me. 00:05:45 Speaker 1: Ho Sheher was struck silent a blessing from Moses before he could speak. Moses rose and approached him. The prophet, chosen leader of Israel, knelt beside Hoshia and rested a gentle hand on his shoulder. 00:06:02 Speaker 2: Hoshea, if you accept, I will give you a new name, a name to give you strength in our promised land, A name to remind you where your true strength lies in the face of whatever comes. I name you Joshua Yahweh is Salvation. Let this name remind you, no matter the danger or uncertainty, that salvation is found only in the Lord. And the Lord does not fail, does not falter, and does not abandon his promises. May Our God protect you and guide your steps, granting you wisdom and courage above all else. Joshua, Do you accept this new name, your new calling, and this mission? 00:06:52 Speaker 3: I accept. I don't know what else to say. You honor me. 00:06:57 Speaker 1: Joshua blinked fists to steady himself. If he thought any longer about how profoundly meaningful that moment was to him, he would never recover his composure, not while standing before all of Israel as Moses delivered their charge to the appointed spies. More than anything, he longed to be worthy of this appointment. 00:07:19 Speaker 2: And in this way I charge you to explore the land. Go with courage in the name of the Lord, and bring back the fruit of the land in your report, so that I may see the truth of the Lord's promises. Go now, with his blessing and his protection before you, honor your tribes, for you have each been chosen to represent your people. We await your safe return. 00:07:44 Speaker 1: And with that, the Israelites cheered for their representatives as they waved in acknowledgment at the crowd. Joshua waved awkwardly, but felt better when his friend Caleb gave him a playful lunch and flashed him a friendly smile. Joshua was good lad Caleb had been selected for his tribe. He felt woefully out of place in this assortment of decorated lieutenants and statesmen from the other tribes. He didn't know any of them personally, but their reputations preceded them, and besides, most had children who were older than he was. But with Caleb by his side, he knew he would have at least one person to watch his back. Joshua and Caleb snuck through some jagged stones, overlooking the land of Hebron. The city had jagged buildings hewn from stone, with large pillars of fire illuminating the city streets. Padding close behind was the lieutenant of the tribe of Reuben Shamoa. He was an abrasive and prideful man. 00:08:47 Speaker 8: Remind me again why Hebron is so important. 00:08:51 Speaker 3: Hebron as where most of their forefathers and mothers are buried, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob, and Leah. 00:09:00 Speaker 1: Caleb peered down and pursed his lips. 00:09:03 Speaker 7: It is also the land where my father's ancestors, the Kennesites, lived, long before they assimilated into the tribe of Judah. I have eyes here. 00:09:14 Speaker 8: Will we be met by friends or foes down there? 00:09:17 Speaker 3: No way of knowing until we get a closer look. 00:09:20 Speaker 7: It's too risky for all of us to go in. I'll go, so we're work and come with me. 00:09:26 Speaker 1: The two men crouched and descended the hill. They crawled through the sparse desert brush, scanning the city. Ahead of the city's entrance, two large figures emerged from the shadows. Their footsteps shook the earth, vibrating Caleb and Shamoua's chests. What struck Caleb most was their sheer size. Even from a distance, he could tell these men stood more than a foot taller than he did, and Caleb was. 00:09:54 Speaker 3: No small man. 00:09:56 Speaker 1: Their broad shoulders, powerful legs, and precise move and s marked them as warriors, and their cruel iron weapons and lightweight armor confirmed it. His heart sank. 00:10:08 Speaker 3: These were likely scouts like. 00:10:10 Speaker 1: Them, searching for threats, and the Israelites were undoubtedly that threat. Shamor shot him an alarmed glance. Echoing Caleb's thoughts, the giants grumbled to each other as they settled into the camp. 00:10:25 Speaker 3: Why'd you got. 00:10:26 Speaker 9: Him so quickly? We should have questioned him and learn what he was? An Amori? Those greedy dogs only. 00:10:37 Speaker 3: Want more land. I didn't want to give him a chance to bark. Who would turn home to his master's to wine. We don't even know if he was a spy or an amort, cause he was a spy, and did you see his clothes? Even if he wasn't an Amori, who cares he wasn't one of us? Remember when he wet himself. 00:11:06 Speaker 7: Ah, has he wept like a babe. 00:11:14 Speaker 10: I think I heard him blubber in for his mother when I twisted my blade into his throat. 00:11:21 Speaker 3: Course, it's hard to understand what a man's saying when blood is bubbler out of his mouth. 00:11:29 Speaker 7: Coward coward. 00:11:32 Speaker 1: Caleb and Shamoa exchanged where he looks that recently and brutally murdered Amorite captive could very well have been them if they had been discovered. Caleb and Shamoa silently retreated from their cover up the hill and away from the giants. They didn't speak a word to one another as they put a mile between them and the terrifying men. Caleb wondered if Shamoa had noticed the dried blood that was crusted on their weapons and clothes, the latter telling the bloody and violent tale of their victim's final moments. Caleb's thankfully empty stomach twisted into knots as he wondered if a similar fate should befall them should they encounter the brethren of these giants in the land of Canaan. Back at camp, Caleb and Shamoa shared what they had witnessed. Joshua clenched his fists in frustration. The land was fertile and ripe for their people to thrive, but every mile was filled with adversaries, battle hardened, giant and bloodthirsty adversaries. The spies deliberated about what they were going to report back to Moses and the others. 00:12:39 Speaker 8: There's no way I'm marching into battle against those giants. 00:12:44 Speaker 1: Another one of the spies, Igal from the tribe of Isaka, chimed in. 00:12:49 Speaker 2: There's no doubt the land is fertile, but how on earth will we compete for its resources. We don't stand a chance against him. 00:12:59 Speaker 3: Where's your The Lord has promised us this land. It's ours for the taking, if we simply have faith. 00:13:05 Speaker 8: That's easy for you to say, Joshua, you didn't see those giants. 00:13:09 Speaker 1: Caleb stood up and interjected. He stood a head taller than the rest imposing and commanding. 00:13:16 Speaker 4: I saw them, but I still remain convinced that the Lord will grant us victory. 00:13:21 Speaker 3: Fool, coward, Easy men, Easy, Michael, you witness the parting of the Red Sea just as I did. Where as your faith, I've fought by your side. 00:13:31 Speaker 2: Joshua, your experience is the same as mine. You and I both know the capabilities of our armies. I don't understand your optimism here. 00:13:44 Speaker 3: This task is foolish. It would only bring. 00:13:47 Speaker 8: Us there, and the lands to the east of the Salt Sea are not much better. Adam's reputation of being an unfriendly neighbor does not bode well. And Moab is held by the Amorites. They say their fortresses are even stronger and better fortified than the ones here. Not to mention, the Amorites are a bile people. They sacrifice their own children to the cruel god. 00:14:14 Speaker 2: Molik Shamua is right. We have to warn the people we cannot enter Canaan. 00:14:22 Speaker 4: Brother eat Gal. I can't believe the words I'm hearing, All the more reason we should take the land back. 00:14:30 Speaker 8: Enough, Caleb, if you try and win the people over with a favorable report, then rally them to pursue this madness. I'll call you a trader. We all will. We've talked at length. You're outnumbered, Caleb. Even Egaal and Gadiel of your eastern unit are against you. 00:14:49 Speaker 1: Joshua is righteous, anger burned as the betrayal unfolded. 00:14:54 Speaker 10: How dare you call Caleb a trader when it is you who are denying the will of our God. 00:14:59 Speaker 1: Before Joshua could blink, Shamua was on him. He grabbed the collar of Joshua's robes and roughly pulled him up to his face. 00:15:07 Speaker 8: Oh, we didn't forget about you, little pop. You think you're so special because you fetch Moses's wine skin and mend his sandals. Well, listen carefully, little pop. We refuse to let Moses lead us into Canaan. 00:15:25 Speaker 1: Joshua's blood boiled hot. He gripped Shamoa's wrists tightly, ready to strike him. Shamua's eyes widened. Realizing that Joshua was stronger than he looked, he released Joshua, sending him tumbling to the ground. Joshua sprang up to strike, but Caleb stepped forward to stop him. A heavy realization settled in. There was nothing he or Caleb could say to change the other's minds. The silence that followed was thick and tense as the ten other representative stood unmoved, united in their decision to defy the will of the Lord. The Spies entered camp triumphantly, greeted by hopeful Israelites gathered around the kidish stream. Moses and Aaron quieted the excited crowd as the twelve spies lined. 00:16:22 Speaker 2: Up, representatives of Israel. You've returned, as you can see, we are eager to hear your report. 00:16:30 Speaker 1: Caleb noted that Moses frowned silently at Joshua and his placement away from the rest of them. Joshua had not looked up from the ground since camp came into view about two hours ago. In contrast, Shamois, with an oily politician smile, stepped forward to give the report on behalf of the twelve spies. 00:16:51 Speaker 8: As a son of the great tribe of Jacob's eldest Reuben, I will give the report on behalf of my companions. 00:17:01 Speaker 1: Caleb fought the urge to roll his eyes at Shamor's piety. 00:17:06 Speaker 8: It is true. Canaan is a land flowing with milk and honey, as you can see from the bounty we brought back. But the people there are strong, their cities large and fortified, defended by forces we could never hope to match. In the Negev, we face the Amalekites, fierce desert dwellers we know all too well. To the west, from the Salt Sea to the great Sea. The Canaanites, Heathites, and Jebusites hold their cities with tenacity. In the hill country and toward Mowab, the Amorites have carved out a kingdom. Their cities are said to be even more fortified than those in the west, and their cruelty is infamous. They sacrificed their children to Molik, and they are but one of the braved nations we would face. We even saw the Anarkites with. 00:18:06 Speaker 3: Our own eyes, giants. 00:18:09 Speaker 8: The descendants of the Nephelin themselves. 00:18:13 Speaker 1: The crowd gasped at that. Chamois's scare tactics were working, and Caleb's blood was beginning to boil with each word. 00:18:21 Speaker 8: Yes, you remember them from our histories, horrible, violent giants, standing almost twice as tall as our warriors. If I hadn't seen them with my own eyes, I would have thought the stories of their foul deeds to be an exaggeration to scare children. But no, they are real, and they will surely kill us all if we should ever face them in battle. Listen to me, for I have seen the truth of the land. There is only death in Canaan. 00:18:57 Speaker 1: The crowd erupted in fearful chatter. Moses and Aaron exchanged looks of concern as the crowd began to unravel at Chamois's provocative words meant to stir up fear and rebellion. Kleb's anger pequed, and he found he couldn't stay silent any longer enough. 00:19:16 Speaker 4: I was there too. 00:19:18 Speaker 1: Kleb threw off e girl's fist, which was now balled on the back of his cloak, and stepped forward to address Chamois and the crowd before him. 00:19:27 Speaker 4: I saw the anarkite, same as you, but I will not let it deter me from taking what has been promised to me. 00:19:35 Speaker 1: The crowd was utterly still at Kleb's words. Shamois was shaking in fury at being contradicted before them. 00:19:42 Speaker 9: All let's go. 00:19:45 Speaker 4: Let's go now and take possession of the land, because we can surely conquer it. Where is your faith? Remember the promise and the one who made it. 00:19:56 Speaker 8: No, don't listen to him. I name him Trader. 00:19:59 Speaker 11: He would lead you to your debts. We can't take this land. The people are too strong. We'd be devoured the Nephelim our giants. We are like grasshoppers before them. It's hopeless. Ask the other scouts. 00:20:13 Speaker 1: The other scouts rushed forward and added their voices to Chamois's negative report about the land. Joshua stood alone and silent as the crowds started to lament and complain. They even started hurling curses and insults towards Moses and Aaron in their frenzied fear. 00:20:31 Speaker 12: If only we had died in the land of Egypt or the wilderness, cost we buried in SINAI are better off. 00:20:40 Speaker 8: I've seen what will happen. I ask you this, Why would the Lord bring us here only to die at the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder to the enemies. We should go back to Egypt. Yes, we should appoint a new leader, one who will lead us back to Egypt as far away from Canaan as we can get. 00:21:02 Speaker 11: Moses will lead us to death if we stay with him. 00:21:06 Speaker 1: Caleb watched in helpless horror as the crowd fell into chaos. Moses and Aarons sank to their knees, then lay face down, lightly, crying out to the Lord for guidance. Caleb felt sick, as if trapped in a nightmare. Joshua staggered over and they both fell to their knees, tearing their clothes in grief. Lament was all they had left in the face of Israel's devastating failure. After all they'd endured, would they really turn their backs on the god who had rescued them from slavery, returned to the very chains he had broken? It was madness. Tears filled Joshua's eyes, mirroring Caleb's, and Caleb knew they shed the same desperate thought. Joshua pleaded with the frenzied crowd. 00:21:58 Speaker 8: Stop to stop. 00:22:00 Speaker 13: Are you even hearing yourselves? This land is incredible. It's better than we imagined. The Lord would not lie to us. He's bringing us to a land of milk and honey. He's not holding out on us. Listen, you fools. 00:22:14 Speaker 12: Don't revel against the Lord. Don't be afraid of the people of the land. The Lord has taken their protection, for he is with us. Don't be afraid of them, traders. Why do you want to see us all dead? Why do you hate Israel? 00:22:33 Speaker 1: The crowd had quieted at their words, but it was now muttering and fearful again. Despite Caleb and joshuas please, Shamou rounded on them. A wild manic look in his eye, his fear forgotten for the moment, his wounded pride seeking vengeance. 00:22:50 Speaker 3: Instead. 00:22:51 Speaker 1: Caleb and Joshua undermined him, and Caleb could see that he was now hell bent on turning this crowd against them. 00:22:58 Speaker 8: You are trait to turn against your old people. 00:23:03 Speaker 1: This inflamed the crowd and stoked their fear into rage. Caleb flinched as someone spat in his face. He blinked and wiped it away in time to see someone pick up a stone. He saw Shamouas see it too. Shamoua stooped to pick up a stone himself. Caleb was horrified to see that many others in the first few rows of the crowd did the same. He wondered where his wife and children were. Were they about to witness his death. Caleb's heart broke as he turned to look at a pale and terrified Joshua. Loyal to the end, but he had gotten him into the situation. He knew the boy would follow him, and now he would follow him into death. 00:23:49 Speaker 7: Joshua. 00:23:51 Speaker 1: Joshua tore his eyes from the looming men with stones to meet Caleb's now steady gaze. I'm sorry Joshua nodded and then closed his eyes as he turned back to face the mob. Kayleb did the same, and a blinding light erupted all around him. This Prey dot Com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltafianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 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