Caleb - the man who served God wholeheartedly.
Spiritual and Physical Inheritance For Those Who Serve God Whole-Heartedly
God said, "No one who has treated me with contempt will see [the Promised Land]. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me whole-heartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it" (Num. 14: 23,24).
Joshua 14: 6-12 The people of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite spoke: "You'll remember what God said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me back at Kadesh Barnea.
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of God sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. And I brought back an honest and accurate report. My companions who went with me discouraged the people, but I stuck to my guns, totally with God, my God.
And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. Joshua 14:7-9 NIV
That was the day that Moses solemnly promised, 'The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance, you and your children's, forever. Yes, you have lived totally for God.' Now look at me: God has kept me alive, as he promised. It is now forty-five years since God spoke this word to Moses, years in which Israel wandered in the wilderness.
And here I am today, eighty-five years old! I'm as strong as I was the day Moses sent me out. I'm as strong as ever in battle, whether coming or going. So give me this hill country that God promised me. You yourself heard the report, that the Anakim were there with their great fortress cities. If God goes with me, I will drive them out, just as God said."
Joshua blessed him. He gave Hebron to Caleb son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Hebron belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite still today, because he gave himself totally to God, the God of Israel and followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
The name of Hebron used to be Kiriath Arba, named after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim. And the land had rest from war.
Joshua 14:6-15 The Message Bible
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Source of texts below
CALEB, ONE WHO WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD
Introduction
A. Romans 15:4 - The Old Testament is a rich source of excellent lessons.
1. This is especially true in character studies.
2. When we examine the lives of the spiritual giants of old, many important and profitable lessons can be learned.
3. They encourage us to persevere, bring comfort to our hearts, and cause us to rejoice in our hope.
B. In this lesson we want study about Caleb, a man who wholly followed the Lord.
I. Most of what we learn about Caleb is revealed in Numbers 13 and 14.
A. He was one of the twelve spies who were chosen.
1. Each spy was selected because he was "every one a leader among them." Num. 13:1-3
2. Thus, Caleb was well respected by the people.
B. He was a man of courage.
1. He accepted the difficult and dangerous assignment to spy out the land. Num. 13:17-21
2. He encouraged the people go up immediately to and take the land. Num 13:30-33
3. He held to his faith and convictions in the face of bitter opposition. Num. 14:1-10
C. He was a man of faith and complete trust in God. Num. 14:8
1. This was the key to his success.
D. God was very angry with the Israelites because of their lack of faith and rebellion.
1. He wanted to destroy all of them but Moses intercedes. Num. 14:15-19
2. God says that Caleb and Joshua will go in and inherit the land. Num. 14:28-32
a. Moses often repeated this promise that was made to them. Num. :11-12; Deut. 1:34-36
3. When the children of Israel were numbered the second time forty years later, all those from twenty years old and upward had died, except Caleb and Joshua. Num. 26:63-65
4. In their first battle with the Canaanites, the Israelites did not loose a single man. Num. 31:48-49
a. Remember, the ten spies said they were not able to go against the enemy because they were stronger than them. Num. 13:31
b. Caleb and Joshua tried to persuade the people that God would be with them and help them to defeat their enemies. Num. 14:8-9
c. God was truly with them. How often do people go out to battle and not loose a single soldier?
II. Many years later, after the forty years of wandering, Caleb receives his inheritance. Num. 14:6-15
A. Verse 10 - This shows how long they were in taking and dividing the land.
B. Verse 11 - Physical blessings, as well as spiritual, are given when one serves the Lord.
1. To live to a "good old age" is a blessing from the Lord. Gen. 15:15; 1 Chron. 29:28
C. Verse 12 - This verse is significant.
1. The very people and land the other ten spies said they could not conquer, becomes the place of choice for Caleb.
2. He relies on God - "..As the Lord said" - to conquer the giants.
a. Thus, he trusted God and called on Him to help.
D. Verses 13-14
1. Caleb trusted God and was blessed by receiving the object of his hope.
2. He had to wait a long time (45 years), but it eventually came.
III. What lessons can we learn from the life of Caleb? What applications can be made?
A. A lesson in character. Caleb was first and foremost a man of God. Such character is sorely needed in our generation.
1. Courage; he was not afraid of the giants. 2 Tim. 1:7
2. Dedication; his life was as a job well done. 2 Tim. 4:15
a. Notice what happened to the other ten spies, Num. 14:36-37
3. Faith and trust in God. "...The Lord is with us. Do not fear them." Num. 14:9. Rom. 8:31,37
B. We're going to face our own giants. We have our own mountains to conquer.
1. They will take various forms: a personal weakness; possibly an addiction of some sort; a difficult task of some kind; a door of opportunity that has been opened.
a. How can I be strong and courageous like Caleb? Eph. 3:16; Eph. 6:10-17
C. We need to wholly trust God and rely on His promises. Heb. 11:6; Ruth 2:12; Matt. 6:33; 2 Pet. 1:4
D. It takes time, but eventually the object of our hope will come. Titus 1:2; Heb. 3:6; 6:11-12
1. We, too, need to fully rely on God. 2 Thess. 2:16-17
Conclusion
A. With God on our side, we can face any giant and conquer any mountain.
1. With Him on our side, we can face them with courage and confidence.
B. We must follow Caleb's example and follow the Lord fully.
1. We can't hold back; we can't doubt; we can't waver.
C. Within a few short years, we, too, will receive the object of our hope. 1 Pet. 4:19
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Joshua and Caleb set a mighty example for us! Our report should be “The Harvest is ripe and it is ours! We should immediately reap for we are able! We can take it! There are many giants, there will be troubles, but we can do it for the Lord is with us! Yeshua has won the battle!” Don’t send spies when you are in tribulation! Don’t hesitate when you need a healing! Don’t give up on unsaved family members or friends! Claim your victory! Enter into your spiritual Promised Land! For we are well able to overcome any tribulation, sickness, or curse for we have overcome by the blood of Yeshua, He has given us the promise! It’s up to us to take the victory!
Source of article above: Sid Roth
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