As the story proceeds, the children of Israel are encamped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and they look to enter the land by moving west. Across the river is the heavily fortified city of Jericho, the gateway, we might say, to the promised land. Joshua’s first act is to find out what he is facing, that is, how strong are the fortifications, what kind of resistance might be expected, what is the state of morale. So he sends in spies.