Session 1: Caleb - Unwavering Faith

And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.” But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”

Someone else please read and someone else read

Numbers 14:6–10 ESV

And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.

Numbers 14:21–24 ESV

But truly, as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord, none of the men who have seen my glory and my signs that I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet have put me to the test these ten times and have not obeyed my voice, shall see the land that I swore to give to their fathers. And none of those who despised me shall see it. But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

The Setting: The Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea

Israel had been out of Egypt about 2 years when it arrived at the entrance to Canaan where, instead of taking God at His Word and proceeding to possess their inheritance, they instead asked for a report from twelve spies. () Instead of receiving the good report from Caleb and Joshua, Israel choose instead to accept the bad report of the other ten spies and allowed fear to overcome their faith.

Deuteronomy 1:2 ESV

It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea.

The Character of Caleb

Caleb is a man of faith and is mentioned elsewhere in Scripture as one who wholly followed the Lord: ; ; ; ,

Numbers 14:24 ESV

But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.

Numbers 32:12 ESV

none except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord.’

Deuteronomy 1:36 ESV

except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it, and to him and to his children I will give the land on which he has trodden, because he has wholly followed the Lord!’

Joshua 14:8–9 ESV

But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God. And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’

Joshua 14:14 ESV

Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Caleb and Joshua: A Proper Focus

While the ten spies despised the land (), Caleb and Joshua delighted in the land. The majority were walking by sight; the minority were walking by faith. The difference: only Caleb and Joshua survived the generation that died in the wilderness and only these two from that generation were allowed to enter the Promised Land and receive their inheritence. Compare this to

Numbers 14:36 ESV

And the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation grumble against him by bringing up a bad report about the land—

Romans 8:5 ESV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Caleb still had to endure the forty years and watch his fellow sojourners die off, yet he remained steadfast in his faith. Compare this to and

Colossians 3:1–4 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Romans 8:6 ESV

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Caleb was forward focused on the promises of God and his inheritence to come. How might this apply to us today?

Caleb reminded Joshua of God’s promise to him in . Just as it is for us, we claim our blessings by God’s Word as well.

Numbers 14:6–9 ESV

In Caleb testifies of his physical strength and endurance even at the age of 85, born from his spiritual strength and faith in God.

Joshua 14:11–13 ESV

I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said.” Then Joshua blessed him, and he gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

Numbers 14:10–11 ESV

Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel. And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?

The Irony of Caleb’s Inheritence

The very people and land the other ten spies said they could not conquer, becomes the place of choice for Caleb. The lesson for us: unbelief sees giants in front of us; faith looks to God ()

Philippians 4:13 ESV

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Lessons For Us

Trust God to be Faithful

When we have unwavering faith we bring glory to the Lord and make His glory known to others. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, He promises to be with us. Look at ; ;

Romans 8:31 ESV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 1:6 ESV

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Our Faith is in God, not in what God can do for us.

Look at ; ;

Psalm 13:5 ESV

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

John 14:1 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.

Do Not Give In to the World

We are called to be holy (set apart) for His purposes and not to be “of the world”. Caleb did not give in to the majority report but stood his ground through faith in God’s Promise.

What does that mean to you, to be “not of this world”?

Look at ; ;

2 Corinthians 1:17 ESV

Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time?

1 John 2:15–16 ESV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Stay Focused on His Promises

God promised Caleb and as believers in Christ, we also have been assured of several promises. Look at ; ; ; ; but also remember

How did you decide it was wrong?

John 14:1–2 ESV

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 15:9–11 ESV

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Romans 8:28 ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Hebrews 13:5 ESV

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Class Discussion

When have you been in a situation where you were faced with being asked to compromise your faith or beliefs to go with the group? Did you give in or hold firm?