The people rejoiced that they were to come into possession of so goodly a land, and they listened intently as the report was brought to Moses, that not a word should escape them. "We came unto the land whither thou sentest us," the spies began, "and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." The people were enthusiastic; they would eagerly obey the voice of the Lord, and go up at once to possess the land. But 388 after describing the beauty and fertility of the land, all but two of the spies enlarged upon the difficulties and dangers that lay before the Israelites should they undertake the conquest of Canaan. They enumerated the powerful nations located in various parts of the country, and said that the cities were walled and very great, and the people who dwelt therein were strong, and it would be impossible to conquer them. They also stated that they had seen giants, the sons of Anak, there, and it was useless to think of possessing the land.

Folket jublede over, at de skulle tage et så herligt land i besiddelse, og de lyttede ivrigt, da spejderne aflagde rapport til Moses, for ikke at gå glip af et eneste ord. "Vi kom til landet, du sendte os til, begyndte spejderne deres beretning. "Det er virkelig et land, der flyder med mælk og honning, og her er frugt derfra." Folket blev begejstret. De var mere end villige til at adlyde Herrens røst og drage af sted med det samme for at tage landet i besiddelse. Men da spejderne havde beskrevet landets skønhed og frugtbarhed, begyndte alle sammen på nær to at udmale de vanskeligheder og farer, der ventede israelitterne, hvis de forsøgte at erobre landet. De opregnede de stærke folkeslag, som beboede de forskellige dele af landet, og sagde, at byerne var store og omgivet af mure, at beboerne var stærke, og at det var umuligt at besejre dem. De føjede til, at de havde set kæmper, efterkommere af Anak, og at det var nytteløst at tænke på at tage det land i besiddelse.