CALEB’S REMINDER (JOSHUA 14:6-9

Caleb - The Best Second Caleb - The Best Second FiddleFiddle


CALEB’S REMINDER CALEB’S REMINDER

(JOSHUA 14:6-9(JOSHUA 14:6-9


Numbers 14:22–24 (NIV) not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.


Joshua 14:6–9Joshua 14:6–9 (NIV) (NIV) Now the people of Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. Kadesh Barnea to explore the land.


And I brought him back a report And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’Lord my God wholeheartedly.’


CALEB’S APPEAL CALEB’S APPEAL

(JOSHUA 14:10-12)(JOSHUA 14:10-12)


Joshua 14:10–12Joshua 14:10–12 (NIV) (NIV) “Now then, just as “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; today as the day Moses sent me out;


I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”me, I will drive them out just as he said.”


CALEB’S BONUS CALEB’S BONUS

(JOSHUA 14:13-15)(JOSHUA 14:13-15)


Joshua 14:13–15Joshua 14:13–15 (NIV) (NIV) Then Joshua Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.) the greatest man among the Anakites.) Then the land had rest from war.Then the land had rest from war.

Caleb - The Best Second Caleb - The Best Second FiddleFiddleAPPLICATION FOR TODAYAPPLICATION FOR TODAY

First, Caleb was blessed because he had First, Caleb was blessed because he had “followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” “followed the Lord wholeheartedly.”

Second, Caleb’s obedience was in the Second, Caleb’s obedience was in the context of a minority report. context of a minority report.

Third, Caleb’s obedience was in the context Third, Caleb’s obedience was in the context of group rejection. of group rejection.

Fourth, Caleb’s obedience continued for 45 Fourth, Caleb’s obedience continued for 45 yearsyears

Fifth, Caleb’s obedience was eventually Fifth, Caleb’s obedience was eventually honouredhonoured

Caleb - The Best Second Caleb - The Best Second FiddleFiddleLIFE RESPONSELIFE RESPONSE

1. How obedient am I to all that God 1. How obedient am I to all that God commands?commands?

2. When the majority wants to do what is 2. When the majority wants to do what is wrong in the sight of God, do I take a wrong in the sight of God, do I take a stand for what is right?stand for what is right?

3. When I am faced with group rejection, 3. When I am faced with group rejection, because I want to obey the Word of God, because I want to obey the Word of God, do I take a stand for what I know to be the do I take a stand for what I know to be the will of God?will of God?

Caleb - The Best Second Caleb - The Best Second FiddleFiddleLIFE RESPONSELIFE RESPONSE

4. How faithful am I in my service to the 4. How faithful am I in my service to the Lord and to others when I have to work Lord and to others when I have to work behind the scenes?behind the scenes?

5. Am I willing to wait patiently for God to 5. Am I willing to wait patiently for God to fulfil His promises to me? or Do I try to fulfil His promises to me? or Do I try to make it happen?make it happen?


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CALEB’S REMINDER (JOSHUA 14:6-9