Be Courageous. Be Like Caleb.
Summary of a Sermon by David Pao
Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan before their planned attack, each representing a tribe of Israel. After exploring the land, none wanted to proceed—except Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 13:30, 14:6-9).
Moses chose Joshua to be his aid for a long time, changing his name from Hoshea to Joshua along the way. Caleb was a gentile, belonging to the Judah tribe, yet Caleb was possibly a stronger follower of God than Joshua (Numbers 11:28; 13:6, 8, 16; Joshua 14:6).
Initially Caleb, not Joshua, confidently told the Israelites to go and take possession of Canaan. But when the other spies spread terrifying reports, the Israelites melted in fear and went into an uproar. They even wanted to choose a leader to take them back to Egypt. For this, God declared that not one Israelite would ever see Canaan, at first only exempting Caleb (Numbers 13:30-33; 14:1-4, 23-24; Joshua 14:8).
Despite all the signs God had performed among the Israelites, they treated God with contempt and refused to believe in Him. They wanted to play it safe. Since they didn’t do what they should, disaster fell on them (Numbers 14:11-12).
In stark contrast to the others, Caleb recommended that Moses charge into Canaan. Since Caleb followed God wholeheartedly, Moses promised him Hebron. Forty years later, Caleb claimed Hebron. At that time, Anakites occupied Hebron with fortified cities. Compared to the Anakites, Israelites considered themselves grasshoppers. Though Caleb was in his eighties, he remained fearless, declaring that with God’s help, he would drive out the Anakites. Because Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly, Hebron was given to Caleb (Numbers 13:33, Joshua 14:7-15).
Hebron was where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were buried. It was a place God promised to Abraham’s descendants. Caleb fulfilled this prophecy, playing a role in God’s plan. That was Caleb’s reward, also bringing meaning to his life (Joshua 14:12-14; Numbers 13:22; Genesis 13:14-18, 23:19, 25:9-10, 49:29-32).
If God were to take you away today, could you say you have fulfilled God’s plan? If you know what God wants you to do, do it; God is responsible for the outcomes. Though you may not see the results of your work during your lifetime, you will play a role in God’s plan.
Be like Caleb. Be courageous. Follow God wholeheartedly.
Summary of “Get that land as inheritance: What’s the biggest sin,” a sermon by David Pao.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYksV7G9Mn4
Moses chose Joshua to be his aid for a long time, changing his name from Hoshea to Joshua along the way. Caleb was a gentile, belonging to the Judah tribe, yet Caleb was possibly a stronger follower of God than Joshua (Numbers 11:28; 13:6, 8, 16; Joshua 14:6).
Initially Caleb, not Joshua, confidently told the Israelites to go and take possession of Canaan. But when the other spies spread terrifying reports, the Israelites melted in fear and went into an uproar. They even wanted to choose a leader to take them back to Egypt. For this, God declared that not one Israelite would ever see Canaan, at first only exempting Caleb (Numbers 13:30-33; 14:1-4, 23-24; Joshua 14:8).
Despite all the signs God had performed among the Israelites, they treated God with contempt and refused to believe in Him. They wanted to play it safe. Since they didn’t do what they should, disaster fell on them (Numbers 14:11-12).
In stark contrast to the others, Caleb recommended that Moses charge into Canaan. Since Caleb followed God wholeheartedly, Moses promised him Hebron. Forty years later, Caleb claimed Hebron. At that time, Anakites occupied Hebron with fortified cities. Compared to the Anakites, Israelites considered themselves grasshoppers. Though Caleb was in his eighties, he remained fearless, declaring that with God’s help, he would drive out the Anakites. Because Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly, Hebron was given to Caleb (Numbers 13:33, Joshua 14:7-15).
Hebron was where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were buried. It was a place God promised to Abraham’s descendants. Caleb fulfilled this prophecy, playing a role in God’s plan. That was Caleb’s reward, also bringing meaning to his life (Joshua 14:12-14; Numbers 13:22; Genesis 13:14-18, 23:19, 25:9-10, 49:29-32).
If God were to take you away today, could you say you have fulfilled God’s plan? If you know what God wants you to do, do it; God is responsible for the outcomes. Though you may not see the results of your work during your lifetime, you will play a role in God’s plan.
Be like Caleb. Be courageous. Follow God wholeheartedly.
Summary of “Get that land as inheritance: What’s the biggest sin,” a sermon by David Pao.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYksV7G9Mn4