One Who Wholly Followed The Lord

By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction: The evil that Israel committed was recorded as an example (1 Cor. 10:6,11). It was an example how not to act in our service for the Lord. Of the million(s) of Israelites that fled Egypt with Moses only two men entered the promise land. The percentage of the saved in relation to the lost was less than 1/1 million. What kind of man could overcome these tremendous odds to secure a place in favor with God?

In this lesson we will study the life of Caleb, a man who wholly followed the Lord.

I. Most of Caleb’s life is recorded in Numbers 13 and 14.

    A. He was one of the 12 spies (Num. 13:1-3). Caleb was “a leader among them,” one of the “heads of the children of Israel.” Therefore, Caleb was well respected by the people.

    B. Caleb was a man of courage.

        1. He accepted the difficult and dangerous task to spy out the land of Canaan (Num. 13:17-20).

        2. He encouraged the Israelites to immediately take the land (Num. 13:30-33). Unfortunately, ten of the other spies gave a bad report that discouraged the Israelites from taking action and caused them to complain against Moses and Aaron.

        3. Caleb’s faith and conviction was so strong, he and Joshua intervened on their behalf despite the anger of the masses (Num. 14:6-9).

    C. When God revealed his punishment on Israel for their disobedience, Caleb was one of two men God blessed to enter the promise land (Num.14:26-33). If fact, God had the other ten spies killed except Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:36-38).

II. God blessed Caleb.

    A. 30 years later, all those who God had promised would die had died except Moses (Num. 26:63-65).

    B. Moses often repeated the promise (Num. 32:11-12; Deut. 1:34-36).

    C. In Caleb’s first battle with the Canaanites, Israel did not lose a single man (Num. 31:48-49).

        1. Remember, the ten spies said the Canaanites couldn’t be defeated (Num. 13:31).

        2. Remember how Caleb and Joshua tried to persuade the Israelites that God would be with them (Num. 14:8-9)?

        3. How often does an army go out to battle and not lose a single soldier? God was truly with them.

III. After 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, Caleb receives his inheritance (Jos. 14:6-15).

    A. Caleb was 70 years old in his first battle (vs. 10). Now he is 85 years old.

    B. God blessed Caleb with the health and strength of a 40 year old (vs. 11).

    C. The same land that the other spies said could not be conquered became the place of choice for Caleb (vs. 12). This place was known for the giant people that possessed the land. Notice Caleb’s attitude at 85 years of age, “It may be that the lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said.”

IV. What lessons can we learn fro the life of Caleb?

    A. A lesson in character. Caleb was first and foremost a man of God. “He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” (Jos. 14:14)

    B. A lesson in faith and trust in God. “The Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Num. 14:9)

V. What applications can we make?

    We are going to face our own giants in life (Rom. 8:31, 37). They will take various forms:

        1. Personal weakness.

        2. Possibly an addiction of some sort (cigarettes, alcohol).

        3. A difficult task of some kind.

        4. A door of opportunity that was opened.

Conclusion: With God on our side, we can face any giant. We can face them with courage and confidence. Let us follow Caleb’s example and wholly follow the Lord. In a few short years, we too will receive the object of our hope (1 Pet. 4:19).

Have you committed Christ to your soul?