Priority Intelligence Requirements

The modern military commander will define Priority Intelligence Requirements, which must be met for a successful reconnaissance mission. In Numbers 13, we see Moses doing the same for the twelve leaders: 

Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.

Numbers 13:17-20 NET

The men Moses sent out were key military leaders of the tribes. Joshua was the commander of Ephraim and also of the entire Israelite military force. Caleb led Judah, the largest tribe with a place of honor as the first in the order of march and encamped on the east side of the Tabernacle. 

When the leaders return, viewing their responses in light of this knowledge helps us to understand God’s treatment of them. 

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The Leader's Reconnaissance

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Send out men to investigate the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. You are to send one man from each ancestral tribe, each one a leader among them.” So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran at the command of the Lord. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.

Numbers 13:1-3 NET

Although Bible translators often use the word “spy” to describe what the twelve leaders do, Hebrew dictionaries also suggest “reconnaissance.” The Bible’s description of twelve tribal chiefs exploring the land to bring back information about logistical resources, enemy concentrations, and the nature of their defenses closely matches the modern military definition of a Leader’s Reconnaissance. 

“During his reconnaissance, the leader pinpoints the objective, selects reconnaissance, security, support, and assault positions for his elements, and adjusts his plan based on his observation of the objective.”

Department of the Army, Ranger Handbook: TC 3-21.76 (Headquarters, Department of the Army, 2017), 7-4.

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