Today's lesson comes from Joshua 14: 1-14. After the campaign in the North had been completed (see last week's lesson), the Israelites returned to their camp at Gilgal. With the main strongholds of the enemy defeated, only the "mopping up" operation remained which would be the responsibility of the individual tribes assigned to that portion of the land.
In Numbers 34: 16-29, God directed Moses how to allot each tribe their land. Joshua, the military leader, and Eleazar, the priest, would be in charge. The procedure would be by casting lots. This assured everyone that the process was done honestly. The people believed that God would direct the lots so this was how they would determine His will for each tribe. The lot would determine the general area that a tribe would inhabit.
The lesson will focus on Caleb's inheritance. Caleb was a man of strength and moral courage. As one of the twelve spies, he and Joshua urged the people to go up and possess the land. They believed God and His promises. The other ten did not. For his stand, he faced ostracism and social pressure, but he stood firm. Caleb's faith never wavered. He set his eyes on the Promised Land and kept pushing forward. He is an example of steadfastness.
The first section is: "A Portion Promised." (vv. 6-9) Caleb was the representative for the tribe of Judah. Like the other tribes, Judah's land would be determined by lots. However, Caleb's personal portion was not to be decided so because God had already clearly spoken: "Him will I bring into the land wherein he went; and his seed shall possess it." (Numbers 14:24) Caleb goes to Joshua and reminds him of the promise which God had given: "Thou knowest the thing [word] that the LORD said...concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea."
Joshua and Caleb were the only two that spoke faith after Moses had sent the twelve into the land of Cannan to spy out the land. Upon hearing the report, the people became weak, and it made the "heart of the people melt." God said that the people that refused to believe Him would die in the wilderness (and they did). However, Caleb would enter the Promised Land because "he had another spirit with him, and hath followed Me fully." Caleb's life would be an example of "wholly following the LORD."
The summary points of this section are:
1. Through our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, we can obtain an inheritance.
2. You can stand strong for God and not compromise despite being in the minority.
3. God rewards those who stand true when facing pressure.
The second section is: "A Mountain Requested." (vv. 10-12) These verses speak to God's Providence and His Sustaining of those who have faith in Him. Verse 10 states, "And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years...." In verse 11, Caleb states he is as strong now as he was when Moses sent him in as a spy and he is now 85.
The years had not mellowed Caleb's resolve. In verse 12, he says, "Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day...." The mountain was occupied by the Anakims. They were giants and had strongholds and walled cities. Caleb could have taken it easy and chose a path with less resistance. But Caleb set his sights on conquering the most difficult area. Even though Caleb was strong, he was not self-reliant. He trusted God. "If the LORD be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said."
The summary points of this section are:
1. There is no retirement from wholly following God.
2. If God is for us, who can stand against us?
3. When God gives you a promise, act on it.
The third section is: "An Inheritance Obtained." (vv. 13, 14) Joshua blesses Caleb and gave him Hebron for an inheritance. Caleb received this land because "he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel." One can only speculate why Caleb wanted the region of Hebron as his inheritance. Hebron had been the dwelling place of Israel's patriarchs. It was where Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca, Jacob and Leah were buried. This was a place of fond memories and a rich heritage. Scripture tells us that Caleb did drive out the Anakims and take possession of his promised portion (Joshua 15: 13-19, Judges 1: 20).
The summary points of this section are:
1. Faith and complete obedience brings God's blessings.
2. Victory over the power of sin is as sure as Caleb's victory over the Anakims.
3. Our faith in God can be a blessing to others.
The Golden Text is: "He wholly followed the LORD God of Israel." (Joshua 14:14) In meditating on this Scripture, remember the following:
1. Caleb remembered the promises of God.
2. Caleb expected a fight.
3. Caleb believed he had been spared to do something, not retire.
4. Caleb knew the land belonged to God's people.
5. Caleb mingled dependence with confidence.
6. Caleb radiated loyalty and faith.
7. Caleb had to ask for what had been promised.
8. Caleb followed the LORD notwithstanding the social pressure against him.
Can you testify, "I wholly followed the LORD!" Do you want to?
Next week, "The Cities of Refuge." (Joshua 20: 1-9, 21: 43-45)
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