CALEB, ONE WHO WHOLLY FOLLOWED THE LORD Numbers 13 and 14
Intro.
A. Romans 15:4 - The Old Testament is a rich source of
excellent lessons. All things were written before were written for our learning
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 to immediately go up 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. 32:11-12; Deut. 1:34-36 Deut 1:34-36
And the LORD heard the sound of your words, and was angry, and took an oath, saying, 35'Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see that good land of which I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him and his children I am giving the land on which he walked, because he wholly followed the LORD.'
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 15:18 Abraham; 1 Chron. 29:28 David
C. Verse 12 - This verse is significant. Numbers 14:12
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
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2. Dedication; his life was as a job well done.
a. Notice what happened to the other ten spies, Num.
14:36-37 those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD.
3. Faith and trust in God. "...The Lord is with us. Do not
fear them." Num. 14:9. Rom. 8:31,
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
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. 6:10-17 The Whole Armor of God
C. We need to wholly trust God and rely on His promises.
Heb. 11:6; For without faith it is impossible to please God,
Ruth 2:12; The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge."
Matt. 6:33; But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
2 Pet. 1:4 By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
D. It takes time, but eventually the object of our hope will come.
1. We, too, need to fully rely on God.
Concl.
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 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him
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