The Canaanites had filled up the measure of their iniquity, and the Lord would no longer bear with them. His protection being removed, they would be an easy prey. By the covenant of God the land was ensured to Israel. But the false report of the unfaithful spies was accepted, and through it the whole congregation were deluded. The traitors had done their work. If only the two men had brought the evil report, and all the ten had encouraged them to possess the land in the name of the Lord, they would still have taken the advice of the two in preference to the ten, because of their wicked unbelief. But there were only two advocating the right, while ten were on the side of rebellion.

Kanaanæerne havde fyldt deres syndebæger, og Herren ville ikke tåle dem mere. Når han ikke længere beskyttede dem, ville det være en let sag at besejre dem. Ifølge Guds pagt skulle landet tilfalde Israel. Men folket troede på de troløse spejderes rapport, og derved blev hele menigheden ledt på vildspor. Forræderne havde gjort deres gerning. Selv om der kun havde været to mænd, som aflagde en dårlig rapport, og ti mand, som tilskyndede folket til at tage landet i besiddelse i Herrens navn, ville folket også hellere have lyttet til de to end til de ti på grund af deres frygtelige vantro. Men nu var der kun to, der stod på rettens side, og ti, der gjorde oprør.