CALEB

NUM. 14:6-30; JOSH. 14

A. "AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES, AND SAID, LET US GO UP AT ONCE AND POSSESS IT (the land); FOR WE ARE WELL ABLE TO OVERCOME IT" - NUM. 13:30
  1. The history of God's people reveals:
    1. That God has always had His men in the hour of great need
    2. Caleb was one of two men in one of the darkest hours of ancient Israel to stand for the Lord and His cause
  2. The Bible story of Caleb, the son of Jephunneh:
    1. Is that of a faithful witness to the truth
    2. His stand for the Lord and truth about the finding of the twelve spies, makes him one of God's heroes in Old Testament times
B. LET US TAKE A BRIEF BUT PRAYERFUL LOOK AT THE INSPIRED STORY OF A GREAT MAN OF GOD
  1. He was one of the twelve men, chosen by Moses:
    1. To search the promised land and bring back a report to the people - Num. 13
    2. He was one of the heads of the nation of the tribe of Judah - Num. 13:6
    3. He, as the other eleven men, were chosen for their judgment to size up a given situation and render a faithful report to Moses and the people
  2. Caleb and his close friend Joshua brought a minority report:
    1. It was in sharp contrast to the majority report - that was evil - stirring up a revolt against God and the promised land - Num. 13:26-33
    2. Caleb and Joshua, on the other hand, spoke glowingly of what they saw; they were jubilant about God's triumph over their enemies, "Neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us; their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us; fear them not" - Num. 14:9
C. FOUR OUTSTANDING OBJECT LESSONS IN THE LIFE AND EXPERIENCE OF CALEB, THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH
  1. God's testimony of that man of valor:
    1. "But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him" - Num. 14:24
    2. This shows that the spirit that influenced the ten men that brought an evil report, was the spirit of Satan; Examples: Korah, Dathan and Abiran - Num. 16; Israel at Mount Sinai - Ex. 32; Annias and Saphira - Acts 5
    3. Caleb was guided by the Holy Spirit - "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" 2 Pet. 1:21
  2. The Spirit that possessed Caleb:
    1. Was the spirit of faith in God's promises
    2. Think of the three Hebrews in the hour of crisis - Dan. 3:16-22; of David in the hour of crisis - I Sam. 17; of the 300 that went with Gideon against the enemy - Judges 7
  3. He was on the Lord's side at all times; - "and hath followed me fully" - Num. 14:24
    1. this shows clearly that they that brought an evil report did the work of Satan; they were his agents; Examples: the ten sons of Jacob - Gen. 37:2; the enemies of the Jews - Neh. 6:13
    2. Caleb and Joshua rendered a good report; in this they honored the God of Israel
  4. God's rich reward for Caleb's faithfulness:
    1. He was one of the two men which came out of Egypt who were permitted to enter the promised land - Num. 14:30
    2. He will be one of the heirs of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ; he will stand in his lot at the first resurrection - Dan. 12:13; Heb. 11:14-16
  5. Summary:
    1. Caleb was a valiant and faithful soldier to the very end of his life; he never sought out the easier side in life - Josh. 14
    2. He stood for the right at the risk of his life - Num. 14:6; and God rewarded him for it all; let there be more Calebs in Israel today


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