Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. (Joshua 2:1 NIV, 5-5-12)

It’s called learning from mistakes. First time they publicly sent out twelve spies who represented all the tribes of Israel.

This time it was two spies, hand selected, sent privately. (We’re not even told their names.)

Two because that’s all that’s needed, it avoids a committee mentality, and two was the number of the first team who had faith.

Hand selected so they understood the real task (describe not decide), and privately because there would be no vote afterward, even if the report was negative.

Result? Victory at Jericho instead of 40 more years of wandering.

[Father, help me to learn from mistakes, both mine and the mistakes of others.]