Two men—Joshua and Caleb—walked together for 40 years, under the most trying circumstances imaginable. These two had seven things in common: the same faith, the same conflict, the same courage, the same starting point, the same path, the same purpose of heart and the same goal. Their trip across the desert with God’s people redeemed from the slavery of Pharaoh to the “promised land”—should have been a short trip, for the distance between Egypt and Canaan is only 120 miles. However, God’s dear people had many important lessons which would take 40 years for them to learn.
Their story should energize believers to walk through this world in faith and dependence upon the Lord. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [types]: and they are written for our admonition” (1 Cor. 10:1111Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)). Peter writes to encourage us “that ye should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21)). The day in which Joshua and Caleb lived (a picture of believers walking together with Christ through this world on our way to glory) is very much like our day a time of testing.
God had promised in Exodus 3:88And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (Exodus 3:8), “I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them... unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” And so, in Numbers 138Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun. (Numbers 13:8), after a relatively quick crossing of the desert, the people arrive near the promised land. Because the people doubted what God said, He patiently allowed Moses to send twelve men (including Joshua and Caleb) to search out the land.
They searched the land in a complete circle by way of Hebron and Eschol and returned to the camp carrying its fruit (Num. 13:21-2221So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath. 22And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) (Numbers 13:21‑22)). Hebron caught the eye and captivated the heart of Caleb. He walked upon it, in accordance with Joshua 14:99And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. (Joshua 14:9), “Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance.”
Hebron (which means “communion”) was notorious, for its inhabitants were giants. Though a fearful place to the natural eye, it was for Caleb a place of remembrance and desire all through the long wilderness journey that lay ahead.
What was so important that he should remember Hebron all those years? It was the place of the sepulcher of his fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and because it spoke of death, there was no natural attraction to it. But for Caleb, the man of faith, it contained a glorious promise the promise of possessing God’s blessings by faith, which could never be enjoyed through the fathers, now dead.
Christ’s death on the cross is, for believers, the end of our old life. Colossians 3:33For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) says, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”
Faith in the Midst of Unbelief
The twelve spies returned to the people who were awaiting their report. All twelve declared that it was a good land flowing with milk and honey. The fruits they carried back proved the truth of their report. But ten of the spies because they did not see the land with the eye of faith in unbelief said, “Nevertheless.” To them, the people were “strong....The cities are walled, and very great.... We saw the children of Anak [giants] there....The Amorites, dwell in the mountains....The Canaanites dwell by the sea.”
But Caleb, whose courage and faith in God “stilled the people,” spoke, “Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” The ten contradicted, saying, “We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
Joshua and Caleb then spoke as one, “If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us.” But the people, having given in to fear and unbelief, picked up stones to stop the voices of the faithful witnesses. God then intervened with the solemn message: Since the people refused to go, they must turn back to the desert, there to wander until every man over 20 years of age had died!
Long Years in the Wilderness
Back into the wilderness they went for those 40 long years. But Caleb carried in his heart an indelible print of Hebron. No discomfort of the wilderness journey could dim his vision, discourage his hope nor slacken his footsteps during all that time. Hebron was his one object. His thoughts were like King David’s: “Early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psa. 63:11<<A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.>> O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; (Psalm 63:1)).
Entering Into Their Inheritance
This pictures that coming day of glory when the Lord Jesus will receive His own personal inheritance (Psa. 16:56) and those who have by faith trusted in Him will enter into the full enjoyment of their promised blessings “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:44To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:4)). Colossians 3:2424Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24) assures us: “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance.”
Lessons for Today
This Old Testament account has a powerful message for believers. It encourages us to walk by faith the heavenly road, which leads to glory. To the extent that we make this journey near to and in communion with the Lord Jesus, the world will lose its attraction. Through occupation with Christ in His death on the cross and His risen place in glory, our affections and energies will be stirred.
May we “wholly follow” the Lord as did Caleb! The Spirit of God mentions Caleb’s following by faith six times in Scripture a delight to God’s heart and a wonderful testimony to our hearts!
N. Berry (adapted)