A. Distrust in Yahweh—Failure to Take the Land (1:6-46)

This section dramatically presents Israel as a model of an unbelieving, rebellious people. The form of the chapter reflects the major concern of the text. For example, some corresponding parallels are:

A. Go in and possess the land (vv.6-8).

B. Triumphs and multiplication of Israel (vv.9-12).

C. Wise leaders chosen (vv.13-18).

D. Go up and possess the land (vv.19-21a).

E. Do not fear the peoples (v.21b).

F. Request for spies (vv.22-24).

G. Good report of spies (v.25).

H. But you were not willing; you rebelled; unbelief (vv.26, cf. 32) is the central issue.

-G'. Evil report of spies (v.28).

-F'. Rejection of spies (v.28).

-E'. Fear of the people expressed (v.28).

-D'. Land is given to others (vv.34-40).

-C'. The leaders' foolish choice (v.41).

-B'. Defeats and decrease of Israel (vv.42-44).

-A'. Do not go in and possess the land (v.42).

The structure clearly shows that the central theme of the passage is in vv.26, 32: “You rebelled. You did not trust.”

Bad faith clearly produced corrupt theology in Israel, illustrated by the people’s grotesque charge against Yahweh in v.27: “The Lord hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us.” V.28 completes this hideous distortion of Yahweh’s true motive for bringing his people out: the Israelites are afraid of the people, cannot conquer them, and are discouraged. The direct speech emphasizes that these words are of major importance.

Israel charged Yahweh falsely. They not only forgot his deeds and words (1:29ff.), more seriously they misinterpreted them. Even after repentance (1:41), they do not perceive things correctly; they insist upon being hotheaded and stiff-necked despite Yahweh’s warning. The result of this failure of faith was forty years of discipline in the desert (2:1, 14-15). Only those who did not take part in the rebellion and distrust of Yahweh could then enter the land (2:14-15; 4:4).

The shocking irony of Israel’s failure strikes home when vv.27-28 are analyzed: they are nothing less than the complete reversal of Yahweh’s stated purposes for choosing Israel. The issue is clear in 4:37-38. He does not hate Israel (1:27), he loves them and their forefathers (4:37). He did not bring Israel out of Egypt to give them over to the Amorites (1:27); he brought them out to give the Amorites into their hands (4:38). The people in the land are not too strong for Israel (1:28); the Lord will drive them out (4:38). Israel should not lose heart (1:28), but should take heart (4:34). Their brothers are not against them (1:28), for God has chosen them all for the same purpose (3:18-20; 4:38). Israel should not grumble (1:27); rather, Yahweh is to be her praise (10:21) and things will go well (4:40). Israel could not “know” Yahweh and his way unless they would trust him. To know God and to interpret his deeds/words correctly on their behalf required obedience to the Lord.