Final answer:
The Israelites responded to the report of the spies with disbelief and rebellion, which led to their punishment of 40 years of desert wandering before the new generation could enter Canaan. They followed divine commands in military campaigns, including the conquest of cities and destruction of various peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the Israelites were faced with the report of the spies in the biblical narrative, they faced a significant decision. The spies had surveyed the land of Canaan and brought back diverging reports.
The resultant fear and disbelief among the Israelites led them to rebelling against Moses and Aaron, and ultimately against God's instruction to enter the promised land. Because of this lack of faith and refusal to advance into Canaan, they were punished by God, who decreed that they would wander in the desert for 40 years until a new, faithful generation arose that would be allowed to enter Canaan. This event underscored the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith in the biblical narrative.
Throughout the journey described in the Old Testament, instances such as the Exodus, led by Moses, and military campaigns led by Joshua are noted. The Israelites frequently engaged in battles, as indicated in verses from the books of Exodus (EX), Leviticus (LE), Deuteronomy (DT), Numbers (NU), and Joshua (JS), following what they believed to be divine commands to conquer and settle in new lands, where they carried out actions including the destruction of cities and the smiting of various peoples.