12 Spies, Joshua and Caleb Story For Kids

Thousands of years after Abraham passed, the Hebrews lived as slaves in Egypt. But a prophet was born to free those slaves from the pharaohs of Egypt, whose name was Moses. Moses sent the message of God to the pharaohs of Egypt and pleaded to free the slaves, but the pharaohs did not liberate them at once. But Moses freed the slaves from Egypt and took them to the God-given country, The Promised Land. This is the same country God promised to Abraham. The name of that Promised Land was Canaan.

To know the complete story of Moses for kids, click here – The Story of Moses Bible for kids

Click here to read the full story of Abraham for kids – Abraham Story For Kids From The Bible

12 Spies

After doing this, Moses chose one man from each of his people. There were a total of 12 tribes, so because of this, Moses chose 12 people. Moses told them all to go to Canaan, The Promised Land. The reason for doing this was that Moses wanted to know, how the people of Canaan live? Do they live in forts or make camps? How is the land there? Apart from this, Moses also asked them to bring some fruits. Because it was the grapes season. In this way, those 12 people were called 12 spies.

They all went towards the south as Moses told them. After reaching the land of Canaan, they saw everything there. They have rarely seen such a country. Then 40 days later, the 12 spies returned to their people. One by one, everyone gave a description of the land of Canaan.

While returning, they had a large bunch of grapes with them. The grape bunch was so big that it took two people to raise it. Everyone saw that bunch of grapes. After this, They began to give details of Canaan. Everyone told that the people of Canaan live in a big area. Their city is safe inside a big wall. The people there are very strong and very tall. If we go in front of them, we will look like a grasshopper.

But, there were two of them who wanted to occupy Canaan by obeying God. Name of both is Caleb and Joshua. After listening to everyone, Caleb immediately comes and says, “Let’s go and occupy that place at once. We are able to win that place.” Joshua and Caleb repeatedly tell their people that the place is very good. In which the rivers of milk and honey flow. Their life will improve there and God will support them in doing so. People did not listen to both.

There was fear inside the other people, apart from Joshua and Caleb, the other 10 people who went to spy. They were denying that they could not take Canaan. People said, “We should have stayed in Egypt to die!” People said these things that showed that they did not believe in God.

God must have been very sad to hear this and perhaps Moses too. Because Moses had saved Israelites from Egypt with the help of God. Then they all crossed the Red Sea and escaped from the Pharaoh of Egypt. Even after seeing such miracles, people did not trust God.

Because of this, God cursed them that the people of that generation who are more than 20 years old will never be able to go to the promised land of Canaan. Their death would have been in wandering in the wilderness who did not believe in God. But nothing happened to Joshua and Caleb. Because of this, They had to wander for 40 years.

Joshua Taking Responsibility

After this, they all settled on the banks of the Jordan River. Moses could not go to that land, so God gave Joshua further command. God said to Joshua, “Joshua, you will not be afraid. I am with you. I will take you and your people to the land I promised.” God encouraged Joshua by saying this.

On the other side, the king of Jericho got the news of this. The Israelis were settling on the banks of the Jordan River and they want to enter Jericho. (In those days Jericho used to be part of Canaan.) So the king reached the banks of the river and started warning Israel’s people. The king said, “You all go away from here. You cannot have anything here. Are you seeing this river? You can never cross it and if you cross it, you will never be able to cross the tall wall.”

Joshua did not pay much attention to the king’s point because he knew that God was with him. Now he wanted to know how big the wall of Jericho is. For this Joshua sent 2 people to Jericho for espionage(meaning-spying). They both bumped into Jericho. They closely inspected the fort. While watching, They were seen by guards. They started running to escape the guards.

While they were running away, a woman named Rahab gave them a place in the house to hide. In return, Rahab pleaded with them that they would not kill her when his men attacked Jericho. Both of those spies asked Rahab to put a red rope at his house. It was a sign.

Now both had returned to Joshua. Both of them told Joshua what they saw. Apart from this, they also told Joshua about Rahab. Joshua prepared his people and the next day they were about to cross the Jordan River.

People of Israel in Jericho

As soon as the next day began, all gathered in the banks of the Jordan River. Joshua ordered to bring the ark of the covenant. As soon as people arrived with the ark of the covenant near the river, then a path was automatically formed in the river. As Moses made the passage to the sea.

After crossing that river, they set up a camp there. That night, where they spent the night, they placed 12 stones there. This stone was a sign that the river had stopped when they were crossing the river. That place is known as Gilgal “circle of stones”. They placed 12 stones because there were 12 clans in total.

After this, God told Joshua the way to demolish the wall. Joshua asked everyone to queue. First of all 7 people were standing with trumpet. Behind them was the ark of the covenant and the soldiers behind. After making the queue, everyone revolved around the wall of the city. People loudly trumpeted and circled. For 6 days they revolved around the city, but on the seventh day, the wall fell down.

Then the people of Israel took possession of Jericho. After taking possession of Jericho, they captured more countries. They got the Promised Land.

So this was the story of 12 Spies, Joshua and Caleb for kids. If you like it, do share it

Questions from the story of 12 Spies, Joshua and Caleb for kids

Question: Where is the Promised Land where Moses and the people of Israel wanted to go?

Answer: Moses had freed the Egyptian slaves and after that, he wanted to take them to God-given land, The Promise Land. The Promise Land is called Canaan, where the people of Moses and Israel wanted to go. This country was promised by God to Abraham and his children.

Question: How many people did Moses send to Canaan and why?

Answer: Moses sent a total of 12 people to Canaan. There were a total of 12 tribes, so because of this, Moses chose 12 people. The reason for doing this was that Moses wanted to know how the people of Canaan live? Do they live in forts or make camps? How is the land there? Apart from this, Moses also asked them to bring some fruits. Because it was the grape season.

Question: Who were Joshua and Caleb?

Answer: Joshua and Caleb were two of the 12 spies who went to Canaan. Among the 12 spies, only Joshua and Caleb wanted to go to Canaan and capture it. They both trusted God. After Moses left, God gave Joshua the responsibility of the Israelites.

Question: Why did God punish the people of Israel for 40 years and the people of that generation for not going to Canaan?

Answer: Apart from Joshua and Caleb the other 10 people who went to spy. They were denying that they could not take Canaan. People said, “We should have stayed in Egypt to die!” People said from these things that they did not trust God.

Because of this, God cursed them that the people of that generation who are more than 20 years old will never be able to go to the land which is provided by God. His death would have been wandering in the forest who did not believe in God. It was 40 years since the death of that generation. But nothing happened to Joshua and Caleb. Because of this, he had to wander in the jungles for 40 years.

Question: How did Israelites fall the wall of Jericho?

Answer: Joshua asked everyone to queue. First of all 7 people were standing with trumpet. Behind them was the ark of the covenant and the soldiers behind. After making the queue, everyone revolved around the wall of the city. People loudly trumpeted and circled. For 6 days they revolved around the city, but on the seventh day, the wall fell down.