Chapter 6

God’s rules and laws were perfect, but God’s people were

not. They wanted to obey the laws, they wanted to live holy

lives, but still they made bad choices and did the wrong things.

When they thought God had left them, they made their own

god, a calf made out of gold. God was very angry, but when the

people said they were sorry, God forgave them.

The Israelites prepared a special tent for God called a

tabernacle. God placed a cloud over the tabernacle during the

day; at night he appeared as fire. Day or night, the people

could see a sign of God’s presence as he led them through the

wilderness. God provided for his people as they made their way

to the land of Canaan.

After traveling in the wilderness, Moses and the Israelites

reached the edge of Canaan, the land God had promised his

people. The weary travelers were excited to know their journey

was almost over.

Moses called the people together. “Before we enter this

Promised Land, we must send explorers to learn about the land

and the people who live there,” he said.

Moses chose twelve explorers and gave them instructions.

“Go south and then to the mountains,” he said. “See what the

land looks like. Is the soil rich for planting? Are there lots of

trees? Are the people strong or weak? What are the towns like?

Are they open like camps, or do they have walls?”

The twelve explorers packed up. Off they went. They

searched and looked and investigated for forty days.

Then they returned to Moses with a report. “The land is

awesome!” said the explorers. “The soil is good for planting.

Just taste these wonderful fruits we found: grapes,

pomegranates, and figs.” They shared their treasures with the

people.

The Israelites couldn’t wait to enter the land. Excitement

grew among the people.

But when Moses asked about the Canaanites who lived in

the new land, the explorers began to disagree. Ten were fearful

and told the others, “We can’t go there. The cities are huge

and they have tall walls around them! The people are big and

strong! Some are as big as giants!”

“They will kill us if we try to take their land!” they cried.

The fears of the ten explorers quickly spread through the

camp. “We were better off back in Egypt living as slaves,” the

people protested.

But two explorers, Caleb and Joshua, were not afraid. They

were strong and brave, and they trusted God. “We can do it!

We can take the land! The Lord is on our side. Don’t be afraid

of the people. They have no protection, but the Lord is with

us.”

Despite all the good things God had done for his people,

the people did not believe Caleb and Joshua. God was angry

with the Israelites’ lack of faith. Moses pleaded with God to

forgive the people. God listened to Moses and agreed to

forgive. But God did not allow his people to enter the land for

another forty years.

Moses tried to be a good leader. He carefully followed

God’s instructions. He helped the people remember all of God’s

rules. When the Israelites grumbled, he tried to be patient, but

Moses didn’t always succeed.

The Israelites could not find water in the desert. Once

again, the people forgot how God had provided for them

throughout their journey. They fussed and complained. They

blamed Moses. “We’ll die in this desert if you don’t find us

water! We should have stayed in Egypt!”

Moses listened. Then as always-he went to God. He asked

God to provide water for the people.

God answered his prayer. “Gather the people around,” God

instructed. “Take your walking stick and go to a rock I will

show you. Talk to the rock, and water will flow.”

Moses and his brother Aaron gathered the people who

were still griping and grumbling. Moses became angry and lost

his temper. He shouted at the people for not trusting God. Then

Moses smacked the rock twice with his stick. Immediately

water gushed out of the rock, enough for all the people and

animals.

The people received what they needed, but Moses was

punished for his action. Moses had disobeyed God and hadn’t

given him credit for the miracle. God said, “Because you did

not believe me, and because you did not honor me as holy

before the people, you will not lead them into the land I will

give them.”

Moses remained the leader of the people of Israel, but

because of his mistake, his leadership ended at the edge of the

Promised Land.