CALEB: Waiting Patiently for the Promise

Biographical Method of Bible Study

        References:

                  Deuteronomy 1:36               Joshua 14:6-15                                  Numbers 32:11-13

                  Numbers 26:63-65               Numbers 14:30                                 Numbers 13:6                      
                  Joshua 15:13-16                    Numbers 14:24                                 Numbers 14:6-9                   
                  Numbers 13:26-30               Numbers 34:19                                 Numbers 14:38                                  
                  Joshua 14:7-10                      Judges 1:12-20                                 

  First Impression and Observations

•  Caleb was 38 years old at the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt

•  Caleb is a Judahite who spied our Canaan together with Joshua and the rest of the 12 spies
•  He followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

•  He was an appointed leader of the tribe of Judah

• He claimed the promised inheritance when he was 85 years old

  General Insights

           Caleb's faith was in the Lord, not himself
           He was confident they could take the land - Num 13:30
      But that was because he knew the Lord would be with them - Num 14:6-9

        Outline of His Life

1.  Birth  (son of  Jephunneh, Tribe of Judah)- Numbers 13:

2.     At 40, he was sent by Moses to spy promise land  (Moses is 80) - Numbers 13:17: Joshua 14:7

3.      Gave good report of promise land (along w/Joshua)  - Numbers 13:30

4.      God promises him entrance into Canaan -  Numbers 14:24,30,38; 26:65, 32:12, 34:19; Deuteronomy 1:36

5.      At age 85, Caleb asked Joshua for Mount Hebron- Joshua 14:10-14

6.      Caleb drove the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. -Joshua 15:14-16

7.      Caleb possessed the land - Joshua 21:12

Questions for reflections

1.      Why did the Lord choose Caleb from among the Judahites to be one of the 12 spies?

2.      How did Caleb report to the people after they spied Canaan?

3.      How did Caleb claimed his promise?

     Character Quality

a.       Caleb pursues his conviction

In Numbers 14:6-9, we read that Caleb and Joshua "rent their clothes." They urged the people, "Do not rebel against the LORD. Do not be afraid of the people of the land. We will swallow them up. The LORD is with us."

Nor did Caleb’s boundless faith deter him from exerting his physical prowess when waging war against Jehovah’s enemies.

b.      Caleb lived a life of discipline and self-control.

He never permitted himself to become soft. He maintained his assurance in the presence and power of Yahweh; this perspective prevented him from frittering away his physical well-being through tension and stress. The sterling faith which characterized his life remains a beacon light, shining for the encouragement of all lovers of God forever.

c.       He has a different spirit

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).

          

            Bible Truths

1.      Following the Lord wholeheartedly in our Christian walk will bring us to be useful in the service to the Lord and to live a fulfilled life that is blessed by the Lord. (Numbers 14:23, 24; Hebrews 11:6; Joshua 14:6; Numbers 14:36)

2.      There are always opposition when we stand in faith but we can always confront them with Godly conviction. (Numbers 13)

Summary of Lessons Learned

A.      Consider how God was able to use Caleb:

a.       As a leader in Israel - cf. Num 13:2,6; 34:18,19

b.      As a servant of God, first to spy out the land, then to divide it - cf. Num 14:24a

c.       As an example of faith and courage - Num 13:30; 14:8,9

d.      As a reminder of God's justice - Num 14:29-30

e.       As an inspiration of service, even in old age - Josh 14:6-12

B.      Consider how Caleb was fulfilled in life:

a.       Only he and Joshua were blessed to enter Canaan - Deut 1:35-36

b.      He received the land around Hebron as an inheritance - Josh 14:6-14; 21:12

C.      Caleb was noted for a having a different spirit - Num 14:24

a.        Different than the spirit in the other ten spies, who were defeatists - Num 13:31
b.      Different than the spirit in the rest of Israel, who complained - cf. Num 14:1-2

          Personal Application

I need to consider how God will use me as a leader, as a servant, as an example of faith and courage, as a reminder of God’s justice, and as inspiration of service. Therefore, I must commit myself to having a daily time reading and meditating on God’s Word for at least 20 minutes per day. I should look for opportunities where I can be used by the Lord.

I need to be like Caleb who is a person who responded to opposition and bad report with Godly conviction and continue to trust God despite dangers.

          Transferable Concepts

The importance and necessity to follow the Lord fully in in our lives must be the aim of every believer. I must follow Jesus all the days of my life with all my heart and despite hazards. I need to pray that God will continually strengthen me and teach me to live this kind of life.