We all know the little song for children which is about the twelve scouts sent to observe the Promised Land. We also know that ten of the “spies” had no faith in the ability of the Lord, and two of the “spies” did have faith.

But did you know that this is a theme found in several places in the Bible?

First, in the account of Joseph, the son of Jacob, ten of his older brothers hated him. Joseph was seventeen years old when Jacob sent him to find out how his brothers and the flocks were doing. When the ten brothers saw Joseph approaching, they plotted how to kill him (Genesis 37:18). Because Reuben convinced the brother not to kill Joseph, he was merely sold into slavery in Egypt, where he ultimately became the viceroy of that great nation.

Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin was not part of the plot to kill Joseph out of hatred. The ten hateful brothers were bad, two of the brothers, Joseph and Benjamin, were good.

Chronologically, the account of the twelve scouts is next. Ten of the men brought back an “evil report” of the land, due to the giants that dwelled there (Numbers 13:32-33). However, Joshua and Caleb spoke in favor of trusting the Lord and entering the land (Numbers 14:6-9). Ten were bad, and two were good.

Upon the death of King Solomon, his son Rehoboam became king. The people of Israel asked to have their tax burden lightened, but Rehoboam refused. The elders of the king’s counselors advised Rehoboam to be a servant to the people and speak kindly to them, then they will be his servants for ever (I Kings 12:7). But Rehoboam the Spoiled, listened to his spoiled buddies who advised him to show the people how tough he was. The result was that the ten northern tribes immediately withdrew from the Kingdom of Judah. Later, King Rehoboam fled for his life from the northern tribes (I Kings 12:18).

The withdrawing from the Kingdom of Judah, in itself, was not bad. But Jereboam, who became king of the Kingdom of Israel, the ten northern tribes, set up idols, two golden calves, for the people to worship (I Kings 12:28). This rebellion against the Lord was assuredly bad.

The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were the only two tribes remaining in the southern kingdom, the Kingdom of Judah. Ten tribes were bad. Two tribes were good.

These events all occurred at an important time in the history of Israel.

1. Joseph, who was placed to preserve the line of Jacob (the Children of Israel).
2. The preparation of the Children of Israel to enter the Promised Land.
3. The time immediately following the “Golden Age” of Israel, when Solomon reigned in peace.

The Apostle Peter, known to be impetuous, followed Jesus and was outside the palace of the high priest where he denied the Lord Jesus three times. Peter saw Jesus upon his third denial and Jesus just looked at him in confirmation. Then Peter went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:60-62).

I suspect that Peter was at the Crucifixion with John because of his grief at having denied the Lord Jesus. We are not told this. It is conjecture on my part. We are told that acquaintances of Jesus, possibly including Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, were there (Luke 23:49). If Peter was at the Crucifixion with John, and none of the other Disciples were there, then there were two who were good, and ten that failed to support the Lord Jesus in His last hours.

Again, this last occasion is conjecture. It was clearly a major event in the history of Israel.

There may be other accounts in the Bible of “ten were bad and two were good.” The Word of God is complex and multi-layered. We will not have any idea of all that the Bible includes until we get to Glory and the Lord shows us.

Praise His wonderful name!