by Susan Ferguson 
But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it (Numbers 14:24 NIV).
When I think of good biblical role models, Joshua and Caleb come to mind. These courageous men went against the majority opinion and trusted God to bring them into the promised land of Canaan. The story begins after Moses brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. He then led them through the wilderness up to the edge of Canaan, the land God had promised to Abraham and his descendants.
The Lord said to Moses, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders” (Numbers 13:1).
Moses sent twelve men, including Joshua and Caleb, to spy out the land of Canaan. Forty days later, they returned, bringing back pomegranates, figs, and a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it on a pole. They went to Moses, Aaron, and the Israelite congregation and showed them the fruit. They all reported that Canaan was a rich and fertile land; however, ten of the spies also gave a faithless report of defeat. They reported that the cities were large and well-fortified. They also claimed that the people were strong, and giants occupied the land. But Joshua and Caleb stood firm in their faith that God would keep His promise and give them victory.
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Numbers 13:30).
The ten spies opposed Caleb, insisting they could not go up against such strong people. Their negative opinions spread fear among the Israelite congregation and incited a rebellion. The congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron; they complained that they would rather have died back in Egypt or the wilderness than die in Canaan and have their families taken as plunder. When they decided to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in prayer before the congregation.
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:6-9).
The congregation rejected the advice of Joshua and Caleb. They talked about stoning them until the Lord’s glorious presence appeared to all the people at the tent of meeting (Numbers 14:10). Despite witnessing His glory, the people refused to enter Canaan. They failed to remember that God had freed them from slavery and protected them in the wilderness. They failed to recall God’s power and provision, that He had parted the Red Sea, rained down manna from heaven, and provided water from a rock. Despite all that God had done, they did not trust and obey Him, and judgment would come. The ten spies who gave a faithless report and incited rebellion against God died of a plague before the Lord. God barred the adults, twenty years old or older, from entering Canaan, and they wandered in the wilderness for forty years until that generation died. Of that generation, only Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land. After the wilderness wanderings, Joshua would lead the new generation into Canaan, where he would give Caleb the portion of land that God had promised him.[i]
Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly (Joshua 14:13-14).
As former slaves in Egypt, Joshua and Caleb did not forget that God had freed them, fed, and protected them in the wilderness; therefore, they were confident that God would lead them into Canaan. We can learn from Joshua and Caleb to remember our answered prayers, keeping them at the forefront of our minds lest we also forget God’s faithfulness. This somber yet vital message teaches us that God keeps His promises, but we must trust and obey Him. This message points us to our need for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we have forgiveness of sin. Let us rejoice that Jesus began this work of faith in us and will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Heavenly Father, Joshua and Caleb teach us that the majority opinion is not always right, but You are, and we can trust You fully. We pray for the faith of Caleb, who saw victory instead of defeat and boldly declared, “We are well able to take the land.” Thank You for good biblical role models like Joshua and Caleb, but thank You more for the only perfect role model, the Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Numbers 13-14 Life Application Study Bible
Endnotes
[i] Joshua 14:6-12 Life Application Study Bible
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