Spies Again?

Yehoshua 2;1

Photo by Paul Skorupskas on Unsplash

In preparation for the conquest of Canaan, Yehoshua dispatched two spies, Kalev and Pinchas, to scout the land. The pasuk states:

וישלח יהושע־בן־נון מן־השטים שנים־אנשים מרגלים חרש לאמר לכו ראו את־הארץ ואת־יריחו וילכו ויבאו בית־אשה זונה ושמה רחב וישכבו־שמה

Yehoshua ben Nun secretly sent two men from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, reconnoiter the region of Yericho.”

This action seems a bit shocking given Moshe's prior experience, where he sent 12 spies to Canaan, leading to disastrous consequences. Why did Yehoshua feel it appropriate to deploy spies now? And why the emphasis on Yericho?

The Malbim points out five distinctions between Yehoshua's and Moshe's spies:

1. Moshe's spies were sent due to the demands of the people, and their pessimistic feedback was accepted by the masses. Yehoshua, however, acted independently without being swayed by public opinion.

2. Moshe dispatched spies from Paran, which was far from Canaan, leading to doubts about invasion. Yehoshua's spies were from Shittim, close to Canaan, with the goal to identify the best location for conquest, not to determine the worthiness of the land.

3. The Malbim clarifies the roles of a "tar" (spy) and a "meragel" (scout). A "tar" assesses the land and its people, while a "meragel" zeroes in on strategic conquest points. The type of mission varies: when determining the value of the land, representatives from each tribe were chosen, as no tribe would rely on another. Moshe had them explore the land, not spy on it. In contrast, if the goal is strategic assessment, a few individuals from the general populace would suffice. Yehoshua sent only two scouts, not nesi’im, without the possibility of a pessimistic report.

4. Yehoshua's mission was clandestine; only he was privy to it.

5. Yehoshua's main attention was Yericho and its surroundings, aiming to understand how to conquer it.

In explaining why they only staked out Yericho and not any other city, Rav Yaakov Kamentzky explained that Yericho was the strategic focal point as each Canaanite nation had stationed troops there. The Jordan River, a natural land border, was where forces congregated to jointly defend the region. Analyzing Yericho provided a panoramic view of Canaan's overall situation because through understanding the morale and disposition of Yericho's troops, insight into the entire land was achievable.¹

In many situations, decisions are influenced by popular opinion, even when these choices may not guarantee the best long-term outcomes. Yehoshua's decision to send spies into Canaan offers invaluable insights into leadership and strategic decision-making.

While Moshe dispatched twelve spies based on the people's demand, Yehoshua took a contrasting approach by initiating the mission on his own terms. This underscores the essence of leadership willing to embrace calculated risks anchored in a clear strategic vision. The distinction in the objectives of their spies is noteworthy: Moshe's were sent to assess the land's desirability, whereas Yehoshua's mission was to strategize the conquest. This mirrors challenges in our lives; rather than shying away from what appears daunting or uncomfortable, embracing change and strategizing how we can best accomplish that which seems daunting and uncomfortable can pave the way for success.

Yehoshua also understood the importance of capturing the bigger picture. He recognized that to gain access to Eretz Yisrael, one needed to comprehend the situation on the ground—where the people were, what they believed, and their disposition. He did this quietly and strategically, without making a scene. Many times in life, the best way to effect change is by doing things quietly without causing a scene, this is true of international diplomacy and personal relationships.

Furthermore in going specifically to Yericho, a convergence point for various Canaanite sub-groups, the spies were able to understand the broader perspective of the nation they were about to conquer. Similarly, in our personal and professional lives, taking the time to understand the broader context and the perspectives of others can lead to wiser decisions.

Think about times in your life when you've taken a moment to really understand something instead of just going with the crowd. Like Yehoshua, we can all benefit from stepping back, looking at the bigger picture, and making thoughtful choices. As you face challenges, remember to take a pause, think things through, and act with purpose.

1. Emes L’Yaakov - Yehoshua 2;1