He Wholly Followed the Lord

Transcription

1 Sunday November 19, 2017 Phone: Pastor David Miklas Message # 13 The Book of Joshua Text: Joshua 14:1-15 He Wholly Followed the Lord INTRODUCTION: Today, we come to one of the up-lifting chapters in the book of Joshua. CALEB is one of the great Bible Characters who at 85 years of age stepped out from behind the shadows to claim the portion which God had promised to him 45 years earlier. Now in order to understand Joshua 14, we must go back some 45 years to a fateful day in the history of God's people as recorded in Numbers After a swift crossing of the wilderness, the nation reached a place called Kadesh-Barnea, located on the very border of the land God had promised. But the unbelief which had so often plagued them during the wilderness journey demanded that spies be sent in to survey the land. So twelve spies - one from each of the twelve tribes were sent into the promise land. After an inspection tour of 40 days, they brought back two reports, the first a MAJORITY REPORT and the second a MINORITY REPORT. The majority report admitted it was a land that flowed with milk and honey, but there were GIANTS in the land making them look like grasshoppers. In Numbers 13:28-33 we read, Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. (29) The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. (30) And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. (31) But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. (32) And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. (33) And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Now the minority report was given by CALEB and JOSHUA. They agreed it was a land flowing with milk and honey and they admitted there were GIANTS, but they believed God. The challenge was found in Numbers 14:6-9, And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: (7) And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land. (8) If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. (9) Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. Ten saw the PROBLEM, Two saw the SOLUTION. Ten saw the OBSTACLES, Two saw the ANSWERS. Ten were impressed with the SIZE of the men; Two were impressed with the SIZE of their God. Ten focused on what could not be accomplished; Two focused on what could be accomplished by GOD. Page 1

2 Caleb s and Joshua s persistent, determined faith believed the promise of God that he was going to give the land to the Nation of Israel. However on the other hand, the cry of the people in Numbers 14:4 was, "Let us go back to Egypt." As a result, God refused a whole generation of His people except Joshua and Caleb to enter the land. Please notice Numbers 14:22-38, Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; (23) Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: (24) But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (25) (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea. (26) And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, (27) How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. (28) Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: (29) Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, (30) Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (31) But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. (32) But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. (33) And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. (34) After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. (35) I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die. (36) And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, (37) Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD. (38) But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still. Israel was right on the edge of the promise land. Yet because of unbelief they wandered, virtually in a CIRCLE, for the next forty years while the OLD GENERATION OF NEGATIVE THINKERS DIED OFF. Their corpses literally littered that region, as a REMINDER GOD MEANS WHAT HE SAID. However, because of Caleb s faith, notice what God said in Numbers 14:24, But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. Caleb lived with a holy anticipation. Caleb treasured that promise from the Lord in his heart during those 45 years of weary wandering. Amid all the murmuring of the people, he retained the fixed purpose WHOLLY TO FOLLOW THE LORD. He was like Abraham who it was said of in Romans 4:20-21 " staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;...being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." Page 2

3 CALEB was not found among the grumblers, skeptics or unbelievers. CALEB was not found among those who desired the leeks and garlic of Egypt. CALEB was not found among those who disobeyed God. He simply caught a glimpse of the promises of God, the faithfulness of God, the reward for obedience, and that was sufficient to keep him true for the rest of his life. Hold it right there! We have been talking about CALEB'S faith, BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR FAITH? Does your faith waver? Does your faith shrink from the battle of life? Do you feel the lure of the old life? How often have you been tempted to complain, discouraged in your struggle to go on with God? How often, God forgive us, do you join the host of those who GRUMBLE that the Christian life is too hard? Learn a lesson from Caleb here in verse 24. By now the old generation has died off. Those of the new generation have invaded the land and fought their way to victory. Just as He had promised, God gave them the land. Returning to, Joshua 14:1-6, we find the land is being portioned off. And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. (2) By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. (3) For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. (4) For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. (5) As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. (6) Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea. In verses 7-14 Caleb delivers one of the greatest speeches recorded in the Bible, Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. (8) Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. (9) And 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. (10) And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. (11) As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. (12) Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. (13) And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. (14) Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite Page 3

4 unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. I love that, though Caleb is now 85 years old, he did not say, "Where is my rocking chair?" No, he said, "Give me that mountain - up there where those giants live!" He is still unafraid of the giants. The last thing we see of Caleb is his trudging up that mountain at 85 years old, rolling up his sleeves to take on the giants. Don t you just love people like that - PEOPLE WHO LIVE ABOVE MEDIOCRITY? The majority thinks they are half nuts, but that's okay. Since when do we worry about the majority opinion? And by the way, AGE HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH IT! It does not matter if you are in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or 80s - if God has called you to do something you had better proceed! On the basis of the promises of God, you will still be able to complete the task as you did when you were in your 20s, 30s, and 40s. Now out of this story of the courageous faith of Caleb, let me give you FIVE observations worth remembering. FIRST: Age has little to do with ACHIEVEMENT and nothing to do with COMMITMENT. Both Joshua and Caleb were YOUNG MEN when they stood alone before their peers. Let me challenge you young people as you move amongst your peers to take a stand for the cause of Christ and Biblical truth even if it means you have to STAND ALONE. Let me challenge you on the job to take a stand for the cause of Christ and Biblical truth even if it means you have to STAND ALONE. Pastor, you might say, that is hard to do. Yes it is, but it is possible. I know because as a young man not only did I have to stand alone in the public school arena, but there were times I had to walk alone even in the midst of Christian teenagers who were not obedient to God's Word. Here is the amazing thing, when Joshua and Caleb grew older they were still standing TRUE in their CONVICTIONS. The ranks of humanity are full of those who START WELL. There are a lot of good starters, Sunday school teachers, church workers, missionaries, and pastors, but where are they later in six months or six years? Oh, there was some opposition, some difficulties along the way, so they quit. They never finished what they started. Listen, with a faith in the promises of God and a PERSISTENT DETERMINATION you can end well. I believe God is looking for people who are staying at it to FINISH WELL. Notice again verse 11, As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Caleb had a FAITH that never wavered and a SPIRITUAL STRENGTH that never weakened. If any man could say it, Caleb could echo the words of the Apostle Paul who said in II Corinthians 4:16, "For which cause we faint not; but though the outward man perished, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." Page 4

5 Oh, what a precious thing it has been over the years to meet older saints, some frail in body, some feeble in mind, often unable to come to the house of God, but still strong in the faith, who are able to say like the Apostle Paul in II Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished the course, and I have kept the faith." CALEB DREW ON A STRENGTH THAT WAS IRRESISTIBLE BECAUSE HE HAD A FAITH THAT NEVER WAVERED. During those 40 years, I suppose there were those who came to Caleb and said, "Oh, Brother Caleb, isn't it terrible out here in this wilderness? It is so hot." And Caleb would answer and say, "I really hadn't noticed. I was thinking of the grapes of Eschol and the city of Hebron God has promised me." Even in the wilderness Caleb no doubt was thinking of the FUTURE, FOR HE HAD A GREAT HOPE. Those 40 years in the wilderness killed off the rest of the crowd, but they did not do a thing to Caleb except make him stronger. The giants in the Promised Land made others tremble, BUT CALEB THOUGHT OF GOD who was bigger than the giants. My friends, there are a lot of things to complain about, and I do my share. There are a lot of problems in this life, even as Christians we face them. BUT OUR HOPE IS IN THE PROMISE OF GOD. For 40 years in that wilderness, Caleb was enjoying all the spiritual blessings that were his in Christ. SECOND: The secret to Caleb's life is found in a phrase that's repeated SIX times: "He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel." It is used in Joshua 14: 8, 9, 14, as well as in Numbers 14:24, 32:12 and Deuteronomy 1:36. God honored Caleb's faithful obedience. Caleb s stand speaks volumes to me. He knew Israel was in direct violation of God's command. Caleb would not COMPROMISE HIS CONVICTIONS. He was willing to take a STAND on God's word even though he KNEW he would be REJECTED by his own people. Folks, I trust you learn a lesson from this. Do not let the unbelief of other Christians defeat you. Do not let the unbelief of other Christians make you sour. Do not let the unbelief of other Christians keep you from fellowship with God. Several unscriptural friends can make things miserable for you if you are a Caleb who wants to take on spiritual giants in your life. Christian, do not let them rob you of your zeal for the Lord. Several unscriptural church members can make things intolerable for you. They can make it so you want to throw up your hands and be miserable in living for the Lord. Do not let them rob you of your courage to stand up for that which is right, and by all means, stick it out. Keep on following the Lord. Keep on living by Biblical convictions, principles and promises of the Word of God. ONE OF THESE DAYS IT WILL PAY OFF! Knowing what Caleb's name implies, we can understand what it meant by wholly following the Lord. The Hebrew word for Caleb means "driven with canine madness." In our modern terminology we would call Caleb "A RELIGIOUS FANATIC." Page 5

6 Caleb was driven by the promise of God at Kadesh-Barnea. Forty-five years later, he was still driven by the promise of God. May God grant that we become "a religious fanatic for the cause of Christ." THIRD: Even though both Joshua and Caleb stood for the RIGHT, God choose Joshua to lead the children of Israel. Yet Caleb still remained faithful. Here is my point. It is easy to become jealous and resentful when other Christians receive MORE ATTENTION than we do; especially when we feel we deserve it as much as they. TO BE FAITHFUL BEHIND THE SCENES IS DIFFICULT, but it is a TRUE TEST OF CHARACTER. If we pass the test, God then is able to entrust us with greater responsibility. FOURTH: God might delay His promises but He never forgets them. Eventually He will reward all of us for FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE. Like Caleb, some rewards may come in this life, yet the ultimate joy will come when we hear God say, "Well done thou good and faithful SERVANT." FIFTH: In Joshua 15:13, we see Caleb providing for the next generation. And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. Some of Caleb's daring FAITH rubbed off on His son-in-law Othneil, who later became a JUDGE in the Land according to Judges 3:7-11. Some of Caleb's FAITH also touched his daughter, for she had the faith to ask her father for a field. What a heritage. Caleb's example of faith was more valuable to his family than the property he claimed for them. Let me ask you as parents and grand-parents: "What is our generation providing for the next generation?" The next generation does not need our physical properties as much as they need: The steadfastness of our FUNDAMENTAL FAITH, The example of our KNEEOLOGY, The courage of our unwavering CONVICTIONS, and The example of STAYING WITH IT no matter what the cost. What are we providing the next generation so that they MAY SET THEIR FAITH AND HOPE IN GOD? Let me draw this message to a conclusion by suggesting three "never s." That may seem a little strange since my emphasis has been so positive. Never use age as an excuse. Never take your cues from the crowd. Never quit because someone disagrees with you.nothing works better for the work of the Lord and in our everyday walk of faith than a persistent, godly determination to stay at it. We must stay at it in our study of the Word of God We must stay at it to commit to the work of the Lord. We must stay at loving God's people despite their hang ups. Page 6

7 There is a passage that is often used to challenge preachers. It is found in II Timothy 4:2, "Preach the word; be instant (be diligent) in season and out of season..." That is a nice way of saying, "Hang tough! Where are the Christians, who will make NO COMPROMISE with wrong doing; who will not say they will give in "because everybody else is doing it? Where are the Christians who are NOT ASHAMED or AFRAID to stand for the truth when it is UNPOPULAR? Where are the Christians who can say "NO" with emphasis, although all the rest of the world says "YES?" Folks, someday we will NOT BE REWARDED according to our PROMINENCE and POPULARITY. Rather, the important thing will be "DID WE WHOLLY FOLLOW THE LORD?" Oh, that God's people would learn today Paul's statement of persistent determination recorded for us in Philippians 3:14, "That you and I might press toward the mark for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." ****************************************************************** If God has spoken to your heart, after reading the sermon He Wholly Followed the Lord right now talk to God about what He has spoken to you. Do you have the assurance that one day you will go to heaven? If you have no assurance that you know Jesus Christ, then I trust you will decide to accept Him as your personal Savior. The Bible tells us in Acts 16:31,...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved... Romans 10:13, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This prayer is here for those who need to ask Jesus to be their personal Savior: I do want to go to Heaven. I know I am a sinner, and I do believe Jesus Christ died for me. I realize I cannot buy this great salvation, nor can I earn it. Knowing Jesus died on the cross and arose from the grave to pay my sin debt and to purchase my salvation, I do now trust Him as my Savior, and from this moment on I am completely depending on Him for my salvation. If you made the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, let me know. Please send an to pdmikbbm@aol.com and I will send you some literature that will help you in your Christian life. The Weekly SERMON was sent as a ministry of Bible Baptist Ministry, 48 Alexie Rd., Hanover Township, PA Privacy policy: your address will not be sold, or shared with any third party. Copy write permission: Because the Weekly SERMON will be reproduced into other formats, PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING: The Weekly SERMON in its original form, without any changes, may be copied and re-transmitted by electronic mail, and copies may be printed for individual or ministry purposes, provided that such copying, re-transmission, printing, or other use is not for profit or other commercial purpose. Any copying, re-transmission, distribution, printing, or other use of the Weekly SERMON must set forth in full the heading that is given before each Weekly SERMON. Any other request for use, please contact Bible Baptist Ministries at pdmikbbm@aol.com or by phone at Page 7