Caleb

1
Caleb

• Hero of Faith

2
Introduction

• Everyone has heroes
• Different countries, different cultures,
  different times
• The names and deeds change
• But they give us something to aspire toward
• This lesson is about one such hero who is often
  overlooked

3
The 12 Spies

• Num 131-2 12 spies sent into Canaan
• Num 1321-25 spent 40 days in the land
• Num 1327-29 good news and bad news
• GOOD the land is wonderful
• BAD the people are strong and giants
• Calebs assessment Num 1330
• We are well able to overcome it

4
The 12 Spies

• The 10 spies assessment Num 1330-33
• They are giants, we are but grasshoppers
• The peoples assessment Num 141-4
• Lets go back to Egypt
• Standing for the LORD Num 145-9
• Only Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb
• Out of 600,000 men, only 4
• Even when threatened with stoning (Num 1410)

5
The 12 Spies

• Gods assessment
• The people Num 1429-35
• The 10 spies Num 1436-37
• Joshua and Caleb Num 1438
• How does God view Caleb, the first to speak out
  in favor of entering the land?
• Num 1424
• he has followed Me fully
• Repeated in Num 3211-12 Dt 136 Josh 148-9,14
• What a wonderful epitaph He wholly followed the
  Lord God

6
What is to wholly follow?

• To follow Him all of our days
• Caleb stood with God
• Even when popular opinion was against him
• Even when threatened with stoning
• Even through 40 years in the wilderness
• Even at 85 while still conquering the land
• Will we stand with God all of our days?
• In youth 1 Tim 412
• Even unto old age Titus 21-8 Ps 9212-15

7
What is to wholly follow?

• To follow Him with all of our heart
• There was no room for divided loyalties
• Caleb had a brother (Kenaz) and likely other
  family / friends opposed to his position
• Yet no compromise was offered
• Do we follow with ALL of our heart?
• Mt 2237-38 624
• Solomon tried to compromise (1 Kng 114)
• James 44

8
What is to wholly follow?

• To follow Him despite the hazards
• Caleb didnt let the danger stop him
• Willing to attack the giants (Num 1330)
• Willing to be stoned (Num 1410)
• Willing to fight giants even at 85 (Josh
  1410-12)
• Are we willing to follow despite the hazards?
• Mt 510-12
• Or like Peter will we back away (Mt 2669-75)

9
How can we wholly follow?

• By keeping our eye on Him
• Calebs faith was in the Lord, not himself
• He knew God would give them the land
• Where are our eyes looking?
• Heb 121-4
• Looking to Christ as author and finisher of our
  faith
• Considering what He endured and knowing the
  Father will help us as He helped Jesus

10
How can we wholly follow?

• By having a different spirit
• God noted Caleb had a different spirit (Num
  1424)
• The 10 spies were defeatists (Num 1333)
• The people were complainers and rebels (Num
  141-4)
• What kind of spirit does God see in us?
• Too many see only problems and defeat
• Phil 413 the right kind of spirit

11
Conclusion

• Caleb was a hero of faith
• He followed God his whole life
• He followed God with all his heart
• He followed God despite the dangers
• God was pleased to note that Caleb wholly
  followed the Lord and rewarded him
• 2 (Caleb and Joshua) entered the promised land
• 603,548 fell in the wilderness
• Are you wholly following the Lord?

12
(No Transcript)