accomplished in history (17–22), achieves in experience (23–27) and provides in abundance (28–33). Moses was told to send twelve men to explore the land of Canaan, which, God said, ‘I am giving to the Israelites’ (2). It is a recognized military maxim that ‘time spent on reconnaissance is never wasted’. Before this particular reconnoitre began, God reminded Moses of the promise made to Abraham; here was a land he was determined to give to them. Out of the vast numbers