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Claiming God’s Promises
Forty years have passed. The Israelites have crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Like hungry people eyeing a table loaded with good food, they gaze toward the Promised Land. Campfire discussions center on what the best sections of land are and who is going to get them. Long before entering the Promised Land, Moses already had recognized the potential for in-fighting and left directions for the division of the land. The division of the land is touched on in Joshua 14.
Read Joshua 14. What request does Caleb make, and why do you think he made it? What does this tell us about him and his faith?
Amid the dividing of the land, Caleb steps forward and, surprisingly, asks for land. This is not to be land for his tribe but rather for him personally. At first glance, this meeting between Joshua and Caleb, the two oldest men in Israel, seems a little out of character. Even though Caleb insists that he is strong and ready for battle, first and foremost he wants to claim a promise given to him by God.
Caleb obviously is unafraid to claim God’s promises. Caleb’s request is not motivated by selfish ambition. The principle of “getting to give” is deeply entrenched in the old man. Caleb does not make claim to the nicest, most lush areas; rather, he chooses the area inhabited by the sons of Anak—giants. That is, the land he is asking for isn’t yet conquered. These very giants had made the Israelites so afraid forty years earlier (Num. 13:33).
Caleb, perhaps, is eager to see that the current generation does not make the mistakes of their forefathers. Now Caleb demonstrates his faith in God by choosing the most challenging, instead of the easiest, territory.
Once again, Caleb is leading by example. In the process, he is living an object lesson. He is in effect saying: “If God can use one of the oldest men to drive out the giants, then the rest of you need not fear. God can and will give the victory.” Joshua 15:13, 14 records Caleb’s victory over Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak. What had terrified a whole nation was conquered by one old man who trusted in God’s power.
Read Joshua 14:14. What does it mean to serve the Lord “wholeheartedly”? What kind of things in our lives, if not constantly put down, will make this difficult for us to do?
| TUESDAY | October 5 |
Forty years have passed. The Israelites have crossed over the Jordan into the Promised Land. Like hungry people eyeing a table loaded with good food, they gaze toward the Promised Land. Campfire discussions center on what the best sections of land are and who is going to get them. Long before entering the Promised Land, Moses already had recognized the potential for in-fighting and left directions for the division of the land. The division of the land is touched on in Joshua 14.
Read Joshua 14. What request does Caleb make, and why do you think he made it? What does this tell us about him and his faith?
Amid the dividing of the land, Caleb steps forward and, surprisingly, asks for land. This is not to be land for his tribe but rather for him personally. At first glance, this meeting between Joshua and Caleb, the two oldest men in Israel, seems a little out of character. Even though Caleb insists that he is strong and ready for battle, first and foremost he wants to claim a promise given to him by God.
Caleb obviously is unafraid to claim God’s promises. Caleb’s request is not motivated by selfish ambition. The principle of “getting to give” is deeply entrenched in the old man. Caleb does not make claim to the nicest, most lush areas; rather, he chooses the area inhabited by the sons of Anak—giants. That is, the land he is asking for isn’t yet conquered. These very giants had made the Israelites so afraid forty years earlier (Num. 13:33).
Caleb, perhaps, is eager to see that the current generation does not make the mistakes of their forefathers. Now Caleb demonstrates his faith in God by choosing the most challenging, instead of the easiest, territory.
Once again, Caleb is leading by example. In the process, he is living an object lesson. He is in effect saying: “If God can use one of the oldest men to drive out the giants, then the rest of you need not fear. God can and will give the victory.” Joshua 15:13, 14 records Caleb’s victory over Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak. What had terrified a whole nation was conquered by one old man who trusted in God’s power.
Read Joshua 14:14. What does it mean to serve the Lord “wholeheartedly”? What kind of things in our lives, if not constantly put down, will make this difficult for us to do?
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