Caleb: Faith Endures - Numbers 13,14 and Joshua 14 - June 4, 2006

Sunday School Lesson – Caleb: Faith Endures – June 4, 2006

We begin a new series “Godly Men of Faith.”

June 4 – Caleb followed the LORD fully.
June 11 – Daniel in the lions den.
June 18 – Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
June 27 – Timothy, Paul’s last letter to his son in CHRIST.

In our study of Caleb, we will see that our relationship with GOD is very important when we have a GOD-sized task facing us.

It is interesting that Caleb was not born a Jew. However, Caleb became a Jew by choice but more important he had great faith in GOD. Once he embraced GOD he did not waiver from his faith in GOD and what GOD can do. Caleb knew all things were possible through GOD, because he had seen HIM at work around him in Egypt and along their journey from Egypt to the wilderness of Paran or Kadesh where our study begins. It is about 175 air miles from where they had been in Egypt to Kadesh Barnea.

Our background scripture is Numbers 13:1-33 and Joshua 14:1-14.

Our focus scripture is Numbers 13:30-32; 14:1-10; 29-43 and Joshua 14:6-14.

Let’s read Numbers 13:30:

30 Then Caleb[23] Nm 14:6,24,30,38; 26:65 quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”

Moses selected one (1) representative from each of the twelve (12) tribes to check out the Promised Land. The Promised Land is also called the land of Canaan. It is about 150 miles long and about 60 miles wide. The journey to scout the Promised Land covered 500 miles and took 40 days.
All of the spies agreed it was a land of bounty. In fact they brought back with them a cluster of grapes so large that they had to place the cluster on a pole and two (2) men had to carry them. They also brought back figs and pomegranates. It was a land flowing with milk, which would indicate animals and honey, which would indicate plants that would provide nectar to make the honey. But it was also a land occupied by some people who where 7 to 9 feet tall (Nephilim (NEFF ih lem) the descendants of Anak, thus Anakim.

Goliath was a descendant of the Nephilim’s. Nephilim’s or giants were on earth before the flood and grew up to ten (10) feet tall.) and some had very long necks. All twelve (12) spies agreed it was a land flowing with milk and honey but ten (10) of the spies gave a negative report based upon the size of the people and the well fortified cities. The walls of the cities are 25 feet high and 20 feet thick. The negative report was enough to persuade the people not to go forward. Big mistake!

When we see situations through our human eyes many things can be very intimidating. However, when we see the same things from GOD’S perspective they are challenges to be conquered. When we face circumstances in life, it is important GOD leads us to do what needs to be done versus us leading GOD. When GOD leads us, it is HIS power that conquers. When we lead GOD, then failure is sure. When we fail, we blame GOD for letting us down, when all along it is us who are trying to control GOD.

Verse 30 captures the faith and confidence Caleb has in GOD.

We see the negative report in verses 31 and 32 - 31 But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t go up against the people because they are stronger than we are!” 32 So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size.
GOD had led the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. HE had delivered them, parted the sea, protected them, covered them with a cloud by day, led them with fire by night, fed them, provided water, provided the ten (10) commandments, met with Moses and performed many miracles to confirm HIS presence and power to them. The spies had seen the Promised Land and it was a land flowing with bounty as GOD had said. However, there are obstacles such as well fortified cities and big strong defenders. But if GOD is for us who can be against us? When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Caleb is tough but his toughness is not in his ability but GOD’S.

Let’s see what happens next.

Let’s read Numbers 14:1-5:

1 Then the whole community broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night. 2 All the Israelites complained about Moses and Aaron,[1] Nm 14:27; 16:11,41; Ex 16:2,7–8; 17:3 and the whole community told them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us into this land to die by the sword? Our wives and little children will become plunder.[2] Nm 14:31; Gn 34:29 Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”[3] Nm 11:5; Dt 17:16; Neh 9:17; Ac 7:39 4 So they said to one another, “Let’s appoint a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces [to the ground]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. in front of the whole assembly of the Israelite community.

Rebellion and fear can cause us to miss out on a promised blessing. Faith requires action. Faith is not when we can see the conclusion. Faith is when we trust GOD for the conclusion. GOD did not turn HIS back on the people; they lost faith and confidence in HIM. They were at the door leading to the Promised Land. All they had to do was walk into the Promised Land and claim it in the name of the LORD.

Let’s read Numbers 14:6-10:

6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh (jih FUHN nee), who were among those who scouted out the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite community: “The land we passed through and explored is an extremely good land.[4] Nm 13:27; Ex 3:8; Dt 1:25; 3:25 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey,[5] Nm 13:17; 16:13–14; Ex 3:8; Lv 20:24 and give it to us. 9 Only don’t rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them.[6] Nm 14:3 Their protection[7] Ps 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:1; Isa 49:2; 51:16 has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” 10 While the whole community threatened to stone them,[8] Ex 17:4; Mt 23:37 the glory of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent of meeting.

It is tough to stand against a crowd, two (2) against ten (10). We live in a society where the majority rules and it is very difficult to go against the majority. When truth is at stake it is important that those who know the truth take a stand against the majority.

Joshua and Caleb do their best to convince the people of the error of their way. They were looking at their capability and not looking at GOD’S. They seem to have forgotten all that GOD had done for them since HE delivered them from slavery in Egypt. GOD had told them the land was good and their reconnaissance had confirmed this fact.

GOD had been truthful and faithful to them. HE had proved to them that HE could be trusted. It is time they needed to show continued faith in GOD by moving forward, the LORD had been their protector, shield and provider. This is the Land GOD had promised them. The inhabitants of the Promised Land may be big and live in well fortified cities but GOD is their deliverer.
But the people rebelled against the LORD when they refused to move forward. When Joshua and Caleb tried to change their minds, the people threaten to stone them.

The truth hurts. When people know they are wrong but do not have the courage to take the stand they know they should, they strike out against something or someone. In the case they struck out against Joshua and Caleb.

GOD is very displeased with the people and Moses has to plead with GOD not to destroy them. Moses convinces GOD to change HIS mind. But even though GOD changes HIS mind, the people are punished.
When we sin, we can be forgiven of our sin but the consequences of that sin may be with us for a lifetime and impact our family. The next scripture reveals the consequences for this sin, which impacted their family for 40 years:

Numbers 14:29-43:

29 Your corpses will fall in this wilderness—all of you who were registered [in the census]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , the entire number of you 20 years old or more[29] Nm 1:3 —because you have complained about Me. 30 I swear that none of you will enter the land I promised[30] Lit I raised My hand to settle you in, except Caleb son of Jephunneh (jih FUHN nee) and Joshua son of Nun. 31 I will bring your children whom you said would become plunder[31] Nm 14:3 into the land you rejected, and they will enjoy it.[32] Dt 1:39 32 But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33 Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for 40 years and bear the penalty for your acts of unfaithfulness until all your corpses lie [scattered]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. in the wilderness. 34 You will bear the consequences of your sins 40 years based on the number of the 40 days that you scouted the land, a year for each day.[33] Lit a day for the year, a day for the year [34] Nm 13:25; 32:13; Dt 2:14; Ps 95:10; Ezk 4:6 You will know My displeasure.[35] Or My opposition 35 I, the Lord, have spoken. I swear that I will do this to the entire evil community that has conspired against Me.[36] Nm 16:11; 27:3; Ps 2:1–3 They will come to an end in the wilderness, and there they will die.”[37] Nm 14:30; 26:64–65; 1 Co 10:5 36 So the men Moses sent to scout out the land, and who returned and incited the entire community to complain about him by spreading a bad report about the land— 37 those men who spread the report about the land were struck down by the Lord. 38 Only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to scout out the land.
Israel Routed
39 When Moses reported these words to all the Israelites, the people were overcome with grief. 40 They got up early the next morning and went up the ridge of the hill country, saying, “Let’s go to the place the Lord promised, for we were wrong.”[38] Dt 1:41–44 41 But Moses responded, “Why are you going against the Lord’s command? It won’t succeed. 42 Don’t go, because the Lord is not among you and you will be defeated by your enemies. 43 The Amalekites (AM uh lech ites) and Canaanites (KANE un ites) are right in front of you, and you will fall by the sword. The Lord won’t be with you, since you have turned from following Him.”

The bottom line, you do not fool around with GOD.

Verse 34 tells us that the 40 years is based upon the 40 days it took for the spies to scout the Promised Land.

The ten (10) spies who gave a negative report were struck down. Going along with the majority has its’ consequences. Remember GOD looks upon the heart. It causes me to pause and consider if they were really convinced they should not go forward and take the Promised Land. Where politics at work or was there a strong leader who may have felt strong about not moving forward, who convinced the others to agree with him? All we know, not going forward was a bad decision.

GOD honors Joshua and Caleb faithfulness. Their action reflects their heart and faith in the power of GOD.

When Moses tells the people about the consequences, they change their mind. They see the error of their way but it is too late. Once they turned their back on GOD they had to be punished.

So why did GOD not forgive them and let them go forward? Remember GOD knows the heart. The people faced potential death in fighting to capture the Promised Land, now they faced wandering in the wilderness and death in the dessert. So they only changed their minds when they were faced with potential death either way. They changed their minds but not their hearts. Faith is not multiple choice. It is obedience and trusting that GOD will provide.

This is why “Grace” is so important to us. GOD’S grace is only possible through HIS SON JESUS WHO paid the price for our sin.

This is why 1 John 1:9 is possible:

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

When we become a Christian, we will sin and fall short of what GOD wants us to do. But unlike the Old Testament, once we acknowledge our sin, then HE will forgive and forget. Our goal should be to serve the LORD with all our heart, mind and soul.
Here again we cannot serve HIM with all our heart, mind and soul in our own strength. That is why we must have an intimate loving relationship with HIM. It is not us working hard to please GOD but yielding our will to HIM and letting HIM direct our lives and what HE wants us to do to please HIM. We cannot figure it out. HE has to reveal it to us as we fellowship with HIM and get to know HIM.
So how do we obtain an intimate loving relationship with GOD? First we have to have CHRIST in us by asking HIM to forgive us of our sins and asking HIM to come into our lives. CHRIST in us is what makes us a Christian. It is not us joining a church or being born to Christian parents.

Allowing GOD to take control of our lives is the key to building a relationship with CHRIST. The HOLY SPIRIT, WHO lives within us will direct our lives, enlighten us, reveal truth to us, teach us and guide our lives to build our relationship with GOD.

How do we build a relationship with anyone? We spend time with them to get to know them. Marriage is a perfect example. It is the day-to-day living that we get to know our spouse. That includes communicating with our spouse. We need to read and study GOD’S word the Bible, Pray, fellowship with GOD, fellowship with Christians and be obedient to what GOD asks us to do.

Faith requires action. Here you have to be careful. It is not us deciding what we are going to do for GOD but waiting upon GOD to direct us to what HE wants us to join HIM in doing.
Now we fast forward for 40 years and see that GOD is faithful to HIS promises to those who are obedient to HIM.

Let’s read Joshua 14:6-14:

6 The descendants of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal (GILL gal), and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite (KEN iz zight)
said to him, “You know what the Lord promised Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea (KAY desh bar NEE uh) about you and me.[2] Nm 14:24,30 7 I was 40 years old when Moses the Lord’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report.[3] Nm 13:1–29 8 My brothers who went with me caused the people’s hearts to melt with fear, but I remained loyal to the Lord my God.[4] Nm 13:30—14:3 9 On that day Moses promised me, ‘The land where you have set foot will be an inheritance for you and your descendants forever, because you have remained loyal to the Lord my God.’[5] Dt 1:36 10 “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive [these]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. 45 years as He promised,[6] Nm 14:30; 26:65; 32:12 since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, 85 years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks[7] Lit for going out and coming in is now as it was then. 12 Now give me this hill country the Lord promised [me]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. on that day, because you heard then that the Anakim (AN uh kim) are there, as well as large fortified cities.[8] Nm 13:28 Perhaps the Lord will be with me and I will drive them out as the Lord promised.” 13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron (HEE bruhn) as an inheritance. 14 Therefore, Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he remained loyal to the Lord, the God of Israel.

Can you imagine waiting 45 years to claim the promise GOD made to you. This is awesome. Caleb is now 85 years old but still fit, feisty and overflowing with faith and confidence in GOD to be his conqueror. So what was Caleb doing for 5 extra years since the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years? We do not have an account of Caleb during these 45 years. We do know that after 40 years portions of the Promised Land were being conquered. Likely Caleb was fighting along with his fellow Israelites to help them conquer their land. Then it became Caleb's turn to get his Promised Land, which is Hebron. Hebron was a well fortified city occupied by giants. No problem for Caleb because GOD was with him. Caleb goes to battle and with GOD’S help conquers Hebron.

Hebron still exists today and is located about 19 miles south of Jerusalem and 15 miles from the Dead Sea.

How big is GOD to you? Can HE do all things?

When HE asks us to do something, what we do next depends upon our relationship to HIM. GOD builds character within each of us to do what HE wants us to do for HIM. It takes time to build character and it takes a willing heart to allow GOD to build character within us. We all have a will and GOD never takes away our right to choose.

How will we choose when we are the minority and have to take a stand against the majority? The majority may want to stone us but GOD will reward us. With GOD all things are possible.