EXTRAORDINARY FAITH, EXTRAVEGANT BLESSING
Joshua 14:6-15; 15:13-19 (ESV)
Preached by Rev. Ralph Juthman at LPC
August 21, 2011
INTRODUCTION
Caleb was a person of extraordinary faith WHO RECEIVED AN EXTRAVAGENT BLESSING.. Nothing could deter, discourage, or intimidate him.
There is not much written about him. In fact, his entire life story is summarized in 5 short chapters of the Old testament.
There are two note worthy things that stand out about Caleb.
First of all, Caleb is noted to be the only person in all Isreal who completely drove out the enemy and received all his allotted inheritance
Secondly, Caleb’s success could be summarized in five words,
HE FOLLOWED THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY.
Whether it was in the strength of youth, the darkenss of the lonely desert Caleb remained true to God and focused on the promises that had been given him.
Caleb had been one of twelve leaders of Isreal who had been commissioned by Moses. To spy out Canaan sme 45 years earlier.
You will recall how in Numbers 14, that ten of the men were frightened by the giants, fortified cities, and military expertise of the Canaanites. Only Caleb and Joshua stood up and urged Isreal to unite together and take the land God had promised and provided.
Here is a thought provoking question. Can you recall the names of any of the other ten spies? NO?! That is because we seldom remember the names of those who simply blend in with the majority.
Most of our heros are people who stood against the popular notions of their day and chose to forge ahead no matter what others thought. That’s why we remember Caleb and Joshua.
According to Numbers 14:24, God promised Caleb that he would take possession of a piece of land for himself and his family once Joshua had crossed the Jordan.
Now, following 40 years of wandering the wilderness, and a further 5 yrears of fighting with his fellow Isrealites in conquering Canaan, it is CALEBS TURN.
There were more than enough reasons for Caleb to sit back and take it easy. But at the age of 85, he is still moving forward in faith and taking territory for God.
Caleb illustrates the truth that extraordinary faith coupled with an exceptional focus will result in extravagant fulfillment.
God has spiritual territory prepared for each of his children to possess. Caleb’s example of extraordinary faith serves as an example of how we can expereince God’s extravagant fulfullment in our lives.
1. EXTRAORDINARY FAITH OBEYS GOD NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS DO TO DISCOURAGE ME:
CALEB HAD AN UNUSUAL CHARACTER: by that I do not mean he was strange or weird. The Bible tells us that Caleb was the son of Jephunnah the Kennezite.
Would it surprise you to learn that Caleb was not even a true Isrealite? According to Genesis 15:19, the Kennezites were a tribe of Canaan in Abrahems day. Calebs family then was originally outside the covenant and commonwealth of Isreal.
Genesis 36 reveals that Caleb was a descendent of Esau and therefore born into a family that was an avowed enemy of Israel. If that was not bad enough, he had been given a name that no good Jew would ever have. The name Caleb means “dog” in Hebrew. In Semitic culture, dogs were considered unclean. Deuteronomy 23:18 says, “You shall not bring the wages of a harlot or the price of a dog to the house of the Lord your God for any vowed offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.” However Caleb got the name he did, it would not have endeared him to the people of Israel.
Somewhere in Caleb’s life, however, a great change had been made in his life. At sometime he had joined himself to Israel and embraced the one true God. Though he was a Gentile and an outcast he became a child of the promises of God.
In Hebrew culture, if you joined Israel you were adopted into one of its tribes and your family name was added into their genealogy. It was though you had always been a part of God’s family. 1 Chronicles reveals that Caleb was adopted into the tribe of Judah. Judah was the tribe from which one day would be born the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ.
This OT picture points to a NT truth.We too have been adopted into the family of God . “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). “You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:15-16).
Because we have been adopted we too have become followers of the promises of God (see Romans 8:17).
In spite of the baggage his background it did not deter Caleb from walking in the destiny God had for him.
Perhaps you feel that you just don’t cut it. You may say I am ONLY a senior; I am ONLY a housewife; I am ONLY a mechanic…’
Here is the KEY POINT: BE OBEDIENT
Listen, you may possess a lot of talent, education and money or you may not. It is not your talent, money or position that matters to God, it is your OBEDIENCE to His will that opens the door to blessing over your life.
Note secondly,
2. EXTRAORDINARY FAITH FOCUSES ON GOD NO MATTER HOW CIRCUMSTANCES MAY DETER US.
Caleb’s life was marked by UNWAVERING CONVICTION in God’s word.
As Caleb approaches Joshua at Gilgal, he recounts those fateful events more than 40 years previous. Caleb testifies,
You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh Barnea concerning you and me. I was 40 years old when Moses sent me to spy out the land, and I brought him back a report according to MY CONVICTIONS.
By contrast, the majority recounted all the reasons Isreal couldn’t conquer Canaan. Caleb remained resolute in his faith and confidence in God who was more than able to fulfill His promise to Isreal.
Where did Caleb strength and confidence come from? The answer is found in three tings Caleb believed about God.
First, Caleb was convinced that God was ALL POWERFUL. And how could he not be convinced of God’s power?
Caleb would have seen firsthand the mighty miracles God performed for His people.
He would have seen the ten plagues that came upon the Egyptians and caused Pharaoh to let Isreal go.
He would have seen Moses lift his staff over the sea and God causing an east wind to separate the waters allowing Isreal to cross on dry land.
Caleb witnessed how Moses lowered his arm, and the same waters that served as a bridge for Isreal, became a watery grave for the pursuing Egyptian armies.
Caleb and seen God turn bitter water into sweet.
If that was not enough evidence, Caleb witnessed over and again how God provided for Isreal in the desert.
For over 40 years, Caleb had witnessed time and again God’s overwhelming power to save, deliver and provide.
Secondly, Caleb was confident in GOD’S PROMISE. Notice in verse Caleb testifies to Joshua, “ You know what the Lord said.’… Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritsnce for you…’ Why does Caleb add the prefix statement, “You know what the Lord said…?
God gave a promise through Moses and Joshua was witness that Caleb would indeed receive a promise. Caleb knew that God’s word could be trusted. He knew that God always keeps His promise.
How did Caleb know God keeps his promise? Listen to his testimony, in verses 10
‘Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for 45 years since the time he said this to Moses, while Isreal moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, 85 b years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I am just as vigorous to go to battle now as I I was then. ..’
Caleb was convinced of God’s promise because he personally experienced them in his life.
Thirdly, Caleb was confident in GOD’S PRESENCE. Not only did Caleb believe that God was All Powerful, and kept His promises, he knew that God would be with him personally.
Look again at verse 12,
You yourself heard that the Anakite were there and were large and fortified; BUT THE LORD HELPING ME I WILL DRIVE THEM OUT JUST AS HE SAID.’
Caleb’s confidence did not come from his own wisdom, strength or talents. It stemmed from his confidence that God would be with him.
Jesus promised each of his followers, including you amd me, ‘ And surely \I am with you always even to the very end of the age.’ ( Matt.28: 20)
So when you face a foreboding challenge, be CONFIDENT in God’s power to undergird you; His promise over you; and His presence with you.
Here is the KEY POINT: BE FAITHFUL.
3. EXTRAORDINARY FAITH FOLLOWS GOD NO MATTER HOW OBSTACLES MAY INTIMIDATE US
Caleb was an unusual character who held an unwavering conviction in God’s character and he followed God with unshakeable courage.
In verse 12, Caleb claims the mountain region of Hebron as his targeted inheritance. No one had ever given thought to Hebron. The enemies who first intimidated ISreal till inhabited that region. The mst fierce fighting force could be found there. But Caleb remained resolute in his request
NOW GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
Now Caleb was not senile nor presumptuous in his request. He made his faith statement knowing full well the obstacles in along the way to victory.
What were some of the obstaceles Caleb had to face?
Surprisingly FRIENDS often stand in the way of our progress. They can either help or hinder us. Think back to Calebs experience.
Caleb was not only outvoted by his peers, he was ridiculed by the multitude. He and Joshua stood alone. In their faith in God.
If you are serius about making giant steps for God realize you will be misunderstood and possibly maligned and ridiculed. So make sure you have a support systems of friends to encourage you in your faith.
Then there was TIME. A total forty five years had elapsed since the day Moses gave caleb the original promise. Forty of those years were spent walking to hot, dusty wilderness. Five years were spent fighting with Joshua and the nation. Forty five years is a LONG TIME.
What transpired during this time? Caleb saw people die. He saw his friends died, His family die; He witnessed an entire generation die in the wilderness.
It was a period where he might have concluded was a waste of time. Howver, he chose to wait it out because he was focused on one thing GOD’S PROMISE. Caleb never gave up his faith nor did he give into bitterness. Each day he walked was a day closer to the PROMISE.
How long have you been waiting for God to fulfill His promise? We can become impatient after six days or a month. Forty years is imcomprehensible. Yet seomtimes God waits that long to do what we think HE should do now.
Time is an essential barrier we must overcome if we hope to conquer our mountain. Waiting is not a waste of time it is preparation time.
Coupled with Time was Calebs AGE. Caleb was now 85 years old. He should have been asking for a life long lease at Sheppard Village, not for army boots.
Caleb could have rightfully dat back and said let someone younger do it. I’ve had my time. Let someone else do the work.
But Caleb was not content to rest. He was confident in God’s power, promise and knew God’s presence. Nothing would stop him. Not even the ENEMY who inhabited the mountain.
Despite overwhelming odds against him, Caleb forged ahead. Here is the KEY POINT: BE FOCUSED. What made Caleb so different from others around him? He had a singular focus. I think Warren weirsbe hits it dead on when he writes,
“Caleb was a man of faith who didn’t worry about the size of the problem because he trusted a great God. The important question in life is not, “How big is the problem?” or “ How big am I?” The major question is, “How big is my God?”
CONCLUSION
At a time when he could have easily retired into the sunset, Caleb was still moving ahead and taking territory for God.
Age did not hinder him, the disappointments of the past did not embitter him, and giants did not frighten him! At a time in life when others were looking for security and ease, Caleb was saying, “Give me this mountain!” His secret?
Caleb demonstrated EXTRAORDINARY FAITH in God’s power , promise and presence. “He wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.
His Extraordinary faith was coupled with EXCEPTIONAL FOCUS. Inspite of the obstacles in his way, there was nothing to deter him from his mission. He maintained focus, ‘Now give me THIS mountain..’
Caleb’s extraordinary faith coupled with exceptional focus, resulted in EXTRAVEGANT FULFILLMENT. The land had rest from war.
There was peace. There was FULFILLMENT.
There is not greater fulfillment than when you have walked in OBEDIENCE to God’s word, walked FAITHFULLY in His will and lived ABUNDANTLY in His presence.
In closing let me ask three questions
1. Are you ready to get up and move forward towards the promise God has for you? Will you take your mountain?
2. Will you be a Caleb to another generation
3. Testimony…DGT…Mike Read…30 years later Fsacebook friend
4. 30 years from now what will people remember about you that impacted them for the Kingdom/
