When they said to Moses: “Let us send men before us,” Moses began standing and pondering, he said: ‘Is it possible for me to do anything until I consult with the Holy One blessed be He?’ He went and consulted. He said to Him: ‘Your children are requesting such and such.’ The Holy One blessed be He said to him: ‘This is not a first for them.
While they were still in Egypt, they derided Me,’ as it is stated: “This was their derision in the land of Egypt” (Hosea 7:16). ‘They are accustomed to this. I need not test them,’ as it is written: “He knows what is in the darkness, and the light rests with Him” (Daniel 2:22). The Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: ‘I know what they are. However, if you asked, send them yourself.’
From where is it derived? It is as it is written: “These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to scout the land” (Numbers 13:16).