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Message begins at approx. the 26 min mark.
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Good morning! Please turn with me in your Bibles to Joshua 14. This morning we’re going to be looking at the rest of the chapter that we did not cover last week: verses 6-15.
I merely want to remind you that we are looking at that section which deals with the allotment of land on the West side of the Jordan River. But today, we get to read something a little more exciting. What’s interesting is that throughout this catalog of the land distribution, the author has sprinkled in interesting tidbits, such as the one before us today.
We are going to read about a fellow by the name of Caleb and we’re going to learn some great things through what is said about this great man of faith. So let’s give our attention to the reading of God’s holy and inspired Word. Joshua 14:6-15…
Introduction
As I mentioned a moment ago, we are in the rather long section dealing with the distribution of the land on the west side of the Jordan River. It covers 6 chapters (14-19).
It’s interesting though that before the we start talking about who gets what—before we start into the cities and the boundaries and all the details regarding property rights, we are told this story about Caleb.
It’s almost as if Joshua is saying to all the tribes, “I know you’re eager to get to your lands. I know that you’re excited for the fulfillment of the long awaited promises and you’re eager to get in and start putting up wall paper in your new homes, but before you do—before we divvy it all out, I want you to hear about godly Caleb. I want you to keep your eyes fixed more on Caleb than upon your personal property.
I believe that Caleb’s story is set here at the head of the western distribution to teach the tribes some lessons. What they needed most was not a deed to their land, but a godly education on what it means to believe in the Lord.
That’s what Caleb provides us. Caleb is a spiritual giant—he not only fought the giants, he was a giant himself, a spiritual giant—he was a godly man, and someone who teaches us a great deal of spiritual truth.
And there are 4 different things that I think we are supposed to learn from Caleb. The first thing is that in Caleb we see a man who exemplifies the kind of faith that we should have.
I. Caleb depicts for us the kind of faith that we should have
Notice how the passage describes him: Three times we are told that he wholeheartedly followed the Lord. (8, 9, & 14). That’s describing his faith.
There’s a lot more we could say about that, but the second thing you should notice is where this story is located. Caleb is at the beginning. We still have 5 more chapters of land distribution. And we know there is yet land to be conquered. After each tribe gets their land, they need to go and finish off the conquest by driving out the rest of the Canaanites who might be in their territories.
But before any of the land is allotted, here you have a story about a guy who was incredibly zealous for the Lord. It’s a story about a man who, all his life (all 85+ years of it), had a faith in and zeal for God. He is not a guy who lived in fear. He did not live according to other people’s opinions. He’s a guy who is ready to take his spear in hand and start running at the giants living in his neighborhood. And that’s because he had faith in God.
It is almost as if the writer of the book is saying, “I know we need to talk real estate, but before we do, let me tell you a guy who didn’t care what the masses of people thought. And he didn’t live in fear of what might be out there. He trusted in God and set his heart to following the Lord.
That’s really going to be the whole story. When the tribes get their lands, they are going to get a little lasses-faire in regards to taking the land. And the question that is really asked is, “Will you be like Caleb?” Will you remain faithful and wholeheartedly follow the Lord even when others don’t?
That’s the question that faces us every day. We often find ourselves in the minority. Whether you are a young person who’s friends are challenging your moral standing and getting involved in some things that are questionable or if you are being pressured by family members to go against your convictions. We could have a thousand examples because the world is full of people who are going in the opposite direction from the Lord and the tide doesn’t recede in that respect.
To be sure, the church can often be a very lonely place in that regard. That’s the way it was for Jesus anyway. He died and it was a very lonely death. Yet he was happy to do so because his heart was wholly fixed on following His Father’s will.
There’s a bravery and conviction in Caleb that is reflected in Christ and should be reflected in all of God’s people. Caleb, like the Apostle Paul, calls us to follow him as he follows the Lord. It may sound absurd at times. Charging the dens of giants may not seem all that logical to the rational man, but it is the logic of faith. One who has faith in God will be set on doing God’s will, no matter who (better yet, how many) may be against him.
The second thing I want you to notice about Caleb is that he is a future oriented man.
II. In Caleb we see a future oriented man:
Caleb tells us that he is 85 years old. So he’s not a young guy, by any means.
There’s no doubt that he’s still got some vigor in him. He tells us in verse 11 that he’s still as strong as he was when he first went in to spy out the land some 45 years earlier. He’s got the spunk of a guy who is half his age.
But we have to understand that Caleb is in the twilight of life. We are not told exactly when he dies, but he’s still considered “winding down.” Even if it is God who is sustaining his life.
But what I want you to grasp is that Caleb isn’t saying, “I’ll take a cozy piece of land on which I can retire and enjoy my golden years.” Caleb is pretty much fighting to his dying day. Which begs the question, why? What’s he doing that for?
It is because he’s living for his children and his children’s children. He might not be able to till the land and enjoy much of its fruit, but he can make sure that the future generations—his posterity will have that opportunity. He wants them to partake of the richness of God’s blessings and enjoy the good things that God has promised.
And this future perspective is the kind perspective that we are supposed to have as well. You know the proverb, “A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” What is that saying? It’s saying that our lives are to be focused on providing for the generations that would come after us. It is a mindset where we want to see the goodness of God and the blessings of His kingdom God being enjoyed eons from now.
If you think about it, this is the way we normally think of parenting: We raise our kids for the first 18-20 years of their lives, and then they are out on their own. But that’s not the way God intends it. He not only wants us to show honor to them while their in our houses, but He wants us to honor them throughout our lives. Or, it may be better said, He wants us to honor them throughout their lives.
Now, this probably sounds rather absurd to most America. We are living in an age where people have the bumper sticker on the back of their new corvette which says, “I’m spending my child’s inheritance.”
If the truth be told, most people do not have a vision for their own future, let alone their children’s or grandchildren’s. I would assume that the mentality of most people is to “Die broke.” You know, it is the whole “eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” sort of philosophy.
Now, Caleb didn’t have any money to put away in a trust for his kids, but he did have the vision and he did what he could. He might not be able to cash in, but he could fight. He tried to secure what he was able.
And that’s the kind of mindset that we should aim for. We should be asking, how can I impact the future generations for Christ? What can I do to pass on the blessings of God and allow them the opportunity to further enjoy (or build) the kingdom of God?
But that’s supposed to be the kind of vision we have as Christians and as parents. We should be making it a goal to see God’s blessings grow and overflow to many more down the line and into the future. And Caleb shows us what a future oriented man really looks like.
III. In Caleb we see a further validation of the promises of God
Caleb was a man who was given promises and lived by those promises. After spying out the land, he gave a good report? Why? You know, he saw the same things the other 10 spies saw. He saw the giants and their fortifications. He saw the weapons of mass destruction that the Canaanites had and he would have known that the Israelite arsenal was woefully short by comparison.
But Caleb comes back and says, “Let’s go! It’s going to be grand!”
What would possess him to give such a radically different report? It all lies in his convictions, not what he saw. He believed the promises of God. God had said he would give them the land. So Caleb didn’t go into the promised land thinking, “Well, I wonder if we can do this?” He went in thinking, “All this is going to be ours!”
Then there’s a second promise that Caleb lived by. Because of his faithfulness, Moses gave him a promise that he would have this plot of land in the hill country. And Caleb lived by that promise. All through the wilderness wandering, he looked forward to that land. He knew he was going to receive it. As he was fighting his battles, he did so with the belief that God would keep him alive and give him that land.
Now, he’s not only asking for his land, but he’s chomping at the bit to go and fight the last remaining giants of the land. He has a strong belief that God will be with him and bless him in laying claim to his territory.
Caleb is a man who lived by the promises of God. He is a man who shows us that the promises of God will not fail and he shows us how to live by those promises.
And this reminds us that we need to live by the promises of God.
While I’m on this subject, I just want to say that I am not a post millenialist. In talks I’ve had with some of you after these sermons I’ve been accused of being a post millentialist. I’m not. But I am very optimistic. You know why? Because of God’s promises in the Scripture.
Listen, some of you are ready to barricade yourselves in some bunker because of this election. You’re thinking that if it goes a certain way that means things are going to come crashing down. I agree, things may change and things could get wonky, but let’s remember that God has made some promises that should shine rays of optimism on our outlook.
Jesus says to us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! (i.e. be of good cheer) I have overcome the world.”
You know what that means? It means God has brought about the defeat of all the powers that stand against him and that he is currently ruling and governing this world by His Spirit and grace. We have every reason to be optimistic no matter who gets elected.
What about your future? Some of you are concerned about tomorrow. Some of your are concerned about 20 years from tomorrow. You know what Jesus says? He says look at these little birds. Look at the grass that you cut each week. If God cares for these birds and makes your grass grow all pretty, isn’t he going to take care of you?
Those are just a couple of the promises God gives. Shouldn’t that make you optimistic? Shouldn’t you feel just the same kind of confidence that Caleb had, living with the expectancy and vibrancy that Caleb did?
In Caleb we see how the promises of God are further validated, and like Caleb we should live with the confidence that those promises inspire.
There’s one more thing we should see in Caleb. We should see a man who foreshadows the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ
IV. He is a man who typifies the Lord Jesus Christ
Now, let’s remember first of all that Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. Judah is the tribe from which Jesus would ultimately come. So we already have that connection. But there’s a little more to it.
Think about this:
Those who, you might say, are in Caleb (i.e. his children, those who are in union with him) receive an inheritance and life because their spiritual head and representative brought down the enemy.
Ultimately, Caleb isn’t just an example of someone you should be like. And if you walk away from this service today and think that my message was merely, “Go be like Saint Caleb,” then we’ve made a terrible mistake.
Yeah, sure, Caleb may inspire us to live for the Lord. There are many things about him which are noble and virtuous. But Caleb was one of a kind. Caleb isn’t like you and me. And there’s not one of us who can be like him.
Ultimately, he should remind us that we are completely unable to achieve for ourselves any kind of eternal security. Caleb was unique among men because in him God shows us what we really need: a Messiah, who has life in and of himself and will be wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord and by such will give the victory we need to have life in the promised land.
I merely want to remind you that we are looking at that section which deals with the allotment of land on the West side of the Jordan River. But today, we get to read something a little more exciting. What’s interesting is that throughout this catalog of the land distribution, the author has sprinkled in interesting tidbits, such as the one before us today.
We are going to read about a fellow by the name of Caleb and we’re going to learn some great things through what is said about this great man of faith. So let’s give our attention to the reading of God’s holy and inspired Word. Joshua 14:6-15…
Introduction
As I mentioned a moment ago, we are in the rather long section dealing with the distribution of the land on the west side of the Jordan River. It covers 6 chapters (14-19).
It’s interesting though that before the we start talking about who gets what—before we start into the cities and the boundaries and all the details regarding property rights, we are told this story about Caleb.
It’s almost as if Joshua is saying to all the tribes, “I know you’re eager to get to your lands. I know that you’re excited for the fulfillment of the long awaited promises and you’re eager to get in and start putting up wall paper in your new homes, but before you do—before we divvy it all out, I want you to hear about godly Caleb. I want you to keep your eyes fixed more on Caleb than upon your personal property.
I believe that Caleb’s story is set here at the head of the western distribution to teach the tribes some lessons. What they needed most was not a deed to their land, but a godly education on what it means to believe in the Lord.
That’s what Caleb provides us. Caleb is a spiritual giant—he not only fought the giants, he was a giant himself, a spiritual giant—he was a godly man, and someone who teaches us a great deal of spiritual truth.
And there are 4 different things that I think we are supposed to learn from Caleb. The first thing is that in Caleb we see a man who exemplifies the kind of faith that we should have.
I. Caleb depicts for us the kind of faith that we should have
Notice how the passage describes him: Three times we are told that he wholeheartedly followed the Lord. (8, 9, & 14). That’s describing his faith.
There’s a lot more we could say about that, but the second thing you should notice is where this story is located. Caleb is at the beginning. We still have 5 more chapters of land distribution. And we know there is yet land to be conquered. After each tribe gets their land, they need to go and finish off the conquest by driving out the rest of the Canaanites who might be in their territories.
But before any of the land is allotted, here you have a story about a guy who was incredibly zealous for the Lord. It’s a story about a man who, all his life (all 85+ years of it), had a faith in and zeal for God. He is not a guy who lived in fear. He did not live according to other people’s opinions. He’s a guy who is ready to take his spear in hand and start running at the giants living in his neighborhood. And that’s because he had faith in God.
It is almost as if the writer of the book is saying, “I know we need to talk real estate, but before we do, let me tell you a guy who didn’t care what the masses of people thought. And he didn’t live in fear of what might be out there. He trusted in God and set his heart to following the Lord.
That’s really going to be the whole story. When the tribes get their lands, they are going to get a little lasses-faire in regards to taking the land. And the question that is really asked is, “Will you be like Caleb?” Will you remain faithful and wholeheartedly follow the Lord even when others don’t?
That’s the question that faces us every day. We often find ourselves in the minority. Whether you are a young person who’s friends are challenging your moral standing and getting involved in some things that are questionable or if you are being pressured by family members to go against your convictions. We could have a thousand examples because the world is full of people who are going in the opposite direction from the Lord and the tide doesn’t recede in that respect.
To be sure, the church can often be a very lonely place in that regard. That’s the way it was for Jesus anyway. He died and it was a very lonely death. Yet he was happy to do so because his heart was wholly fixed on following His Father’s will.
There’s a bravery and conviction in Caleb that is reflected in Christ and should be reflected in all of God’s people. Caleb, like the Apostle Paul, calls us to follow him as he follows the Lord. It may sound absurd at times. Charging the dens of giants may not seem all that logical to the rational man, but it is the logic of faith. One who has faith in God will be set on doing God’s will, no matter who (better yet, how many) may be against him.
The second thing I want you to notice about Caleb is that he is a future oriented man.
II. In Caleb we see a future oriented man:
Caleb tells us that he is 85 years old. So he’s not a young guy, by any means.
There’s no doubt that he’s still got some vigor in him. He tells us in verse 11 that he’s still as strong as he was when he first went in to spy out the land some 45 years earlier. He’s got the spunk of a guy who is half his age.
But we have to understand that Caleb is in the twilight of life. We are not told exactly when he dies, but he’s still considered “winding down.” Even if it is God who is sustaining his life.
But what I want you to grasp is that Caleb isn’t saying, “I’ll take a cozy piece of land on which I can retire and enjoy my golden years.” Caleb is pretty much fighting to his dying day. Which begs the question, why? What’s he doing that for?
It is because he’s living for his children and his children’s children. He might not be able to till the land and enjoy much of its fruit, but he can make sure that the future generations—his posterity will have that opportunity. He wants them to partake of the richness of God’s blessings and enjoy the good things that God has promised.
And this future perspective is the kind perspective that we are supposed to have as well. You know the proverb, “A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children.” What is that saying? It’s saying that our lives are to be focused on providing for the generations that would come after us. It is a mindset where we want to see the goodness of God and the blessings of His kingdom God being enjoyed eons from now.
If you think about it, this is the way we normally think of parenting: We raise our kids for the first 18-20 years of their lives, and then they are out on their own. But that’s not the way God intends it. He not only wants us to show honor to them while their in our houses, but He wants us to honor them throughout our lives. Or, it may be better said, He wants us to honor them throughout their lives.
Now, this probably sounds rather absurd to most America. We are living in an age where people have the bumper sticker on the back of their new corvette which says, “I’m spending my child’s inheritance.”
If the truth be told, most people do not have a vision for their own future, let alone their children’s or grandchildren’s. I would assume that the mentality of most people is to “Die broke.” You know, it is the whole “eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” sort of philosophy.
Now, Caleb didn’t have any money to put away in a trust for his kids, but he did have the vision and he did what he could. He might not be able to cash in, but he could fight. He tried to secure what he was able.
And that’s the kind of mindset that we should aim for. We should be asking, how can I impact the future generations for Christ? What can I do to pass on the blessings of God and allow them the opportunity to further enjoy (or build) the kingdom of God?
But that’s supposed to be the kind of vision we have as Christians and as parents. We should be making it a goal to see God’s blessings grow and overflow to many more down the line and into the future. And Caleb shows us what a future oriented man really looks like.
III. In Caleb we see a further validation of the promises of God
Caleb was a man who was given promises and lived by those promises. After spying out the land, he gave a good report? Why? You know, he saw the same things the other 10 spies saw. He saw the giants and their fortifications. He saw the weapons of mass destruction that the Canaanites had and he would have known that the Israelite arsenal was woefully short by comparison.
But Caleb comes back and says, “Let’s go! It’s going to be grand!”
What would possess him to give such a radically different report? It all lies in his convictions, not what he saw. He believed the promises of God. God had said he would give them the land. So Caleb didn’t go into the promised land thinking, “Well, I wonder if we can do this?” He went in thinking, “All this is going to be ours!”
Then there’s a second promise that Caleb lived by. Because of his faithfulness, Moses gave him a promise that he would have this plot of land in the hill country. And Caleb lived by that promise. All through the wilderness wandering, he looked forward to that land. He knew he was going to receive it. As he was fighting his battles, he did so with the belief that God would keep him alive and give him that land.
Now, he’s not only asking for his land, but he’s chomping at the bit to go and fight the last remaining giants of the land. He has a strong belief that God will be with him and bless him in laying claim to his territory.
Caleb is a man who lived by the promises of God. He is a man who shows us that the promises of God will not fail and he shows us how to live by those promises.
And this reminds us that we need to live by the promises of God.
While I’m on this subject, I just want to say that I am not a post millenialist. In talks I’ve had with some of you after these sermons I’ve been accused of being a post millentialist. I’m not. But I am very optimistic. You know why? Because of God’s promises in the Scripture.
Listen, some of you are ready to barricade yourselves in some bunker because of this election. You’re thinking that if it goes a certain way that means things are going to come crashing down. I agree, things may change and things could get wonky, but let’s remember that God has made some promises that should shine rays of optimism on our outlook.
Jesus says to us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! (i.e. be of good cheer) I have overcome the world.”
You know what that means? It means God has brought about the defeat of all the powers that stand against him and that he is currently ruling and governing this world by His Spirit and grace. We have every reason to be optimistic no matter who gets elected.
What about your future? Some of you are concerned about tomorrow. Some of your are concerned about 20 years from tomorrow. You know what Jesus says? He says look at these little birds. Look at the grass that you cut each week. If God cares for these birds and makes your grass grow all pretty, isn’t he going to take care of you?
Those are just a couple of the promises God gives. Shouldn’t that make you optimistic? Shouldn’t you feel just the same kind of confidence that Caleb had, living with the expectancy and vibrancy that Caleb did?
In Caleb we see how the promises of God are further validated, and like Caleb we should live with the confidence that those promises inspire.
There’s one more thing we should see in Caleb. We should see a man who foreshadows the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ
IV. He is a man who typifies the Lord Jesus Christ
Now, let’s remember first of all that Caleb was from the tribe of Judah. Judah is the tribe from which Jesus would ultimately come. So we already have that connection. But there’s a little more to it.
Think about this:
- He’s a man from Judah
- we have a man who is wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord.
- He is a man who has the vigor of divine life rushing through him.
- And Caleb is also a man who wins for his people an inheritance
- That inheritance is obtained because he defeated the powers of evil which opposed them.
Those who, you might say, are in Caleb (i.e. his children, those who are in union with him) receive an inheritance and life because their spiritual head and representative brought down the enemy.
Ultimately, Caleb isn’t just an example of someone you should be like. And if you walk away from this service today and think that my message was merely, “Go be like Saint Caleb,” then we’ve made a terrible mistake.
Yeah, sure, Caleb may inspire us to live for the Lord. There are many things about him which are noble and virtuous. But Caleb was one of a kind. Caleb isn’t like you and me. And there’s not one of us who can be like him.
Ultimately, he should remind us that we are completely unable to achieve for ourselves any kind of eternal security. Caleb was unique among men because in him God shows us what we really need: a Messiah, who has life in and of himself and will be wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord and by such will give the victory we need to have life in the promised land.