Series: Learning Victory From Joshua Dr. Elmer Towns
Lesson 14: What Do You Want For Your Birthday? October 21, 2012
1. You take a new look at yourself on your birthday. “I am this day eight-five years old” (Joshua 14:10).
a. You look at your past. “Moses . . . sent me . . . to spy out the land” (14:7).
b. You survey your present condition. “I am as strong on this day, as . . .” (14:11).
c. You plan your future. “I shall be able to drive them out” (14:12).
2. We celebrate birthdays with friends. “Caleb said . . . to Joshua . . . concerning you and me” (14:6).
“Caleb came to remind Joshua that he was 40 years old when Moses sent the two of them to explore the land of Canaan. ‘I came back with an honest report, but 10 men returned to frighten the people and make them rebel against God. I followed the Lord completely. So Moses promised me a special inheritance in the land because I wholly followed the Lord’” (14:6-9, Amplified).
3. Some rewards take a long time coming.
4. God honors faithful speech and living.
5. Some punishment comes immediately. “Those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the LORD” (Num. 14:37).
6. It is alright to remind God in prayer of what you want from Him.
7. It is wonderful to have a clear conscience to say you followed God.
“Caleb said, ‘The Lord has kept me alive these 45 years even in the wilderness since Moses made the promise. I am as strong now as I was then. I can still travel and fight. Now I ask you to give me the hill country the Lord promised to me. The Anakites live there in strong walled cities, but with God’s help I can drive them out of the land. Therefore, give me Mount Hebron’” (Joshua 14:10-12, Amplified).
8. You are never too old to be used of God.
9. You are never old enough to retire from spiritual battles.
10. Your strength to win battles is always in God. “If so be the Lord is with me, then I shall be able to drive them out” (14:12).
11. The world won’t give into you, just because you are old.
12. Your faith should grow stronger as you grow older.
13. Never lose your dreams. “Now therefore, give me this mountain” (14:12).
14. Caleb did not make an idle boast to drive out the giants. “They gave Hebron to Caleb . . . then he drove out the three sons of Anak (a giant)” (Judges 1:20).
15. Caleb wanted the “mountain of contention,” Hebron was the same place the spies reported seeing the Anak (Num. 13:28).
a. He wanted to defeat the enemies at their strongest place.
b. He wanted victory at the greatest stumbling block to the 10 spies.
c. He wanted to conqueror the one thing that sent him 40 years in the wilderness.
d. He wanted to glorify God in the nation’s greatest challenge.
So Joshua blessed Caleb by giving him Hebron as an inheritance because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (Joshua 18:13-15, Amplified).
16. This is proof that it pays to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
17. This was a wonderful birthday gift. “I am this day eighty-five years old” (14:10).
5 Reasons Joshua Gave Hebron to Caleb
1. The prophecy of Numbers 13:24 said Caleb would possess the land.
2. Caleb’s faithfulness.
3. Because God kept Caleb alive 45 years.
4. Hebron was in section given to Judah, Caleb’s tribe.
5. Because it was the will of God (14:9).
18. Caleb probably lived as long as Joshua (110 years, 24:29) so he lived another 25 years on his mountain.
19. Caleb demonstrated you can be master of your enemies by wholly following God.
20. A giant that defeated you because of someone else’s sin, you can return to be victorious.
21. Caleb wanted to prove his boast. He said 45 years earlier, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Num. 13:30).
What is the biggest giant in your life? ____________¬¬__________
What is the biggest giant facing your family? _________________
What is the biggest giant facing your church? _________________
What is the biggest giant facing our nation? _________________
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord,
I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
