The Faith of Caleb - Numbers 13

From Numbers chapter 13 and 14, we read that Caleb was a spy. He was one who was sent into enemy land, gathered data and returned with a full report to the leaders of Israel. It is interesting to note that it was the people themselves who had originally requested that this land be spied out. Despite the fact that the Lord had already promised to give them the land, He granted this request and permitted them to send spies into Canaan. The people clearly had doubts in the promises of God, failing to remember the many times when He had honoured His word and delivered them from trouble.

So twelve spies, one from each tribe, were sent in to the land. Of the spies that were sent, only two demonstrated full belief in God, Caleb and Joshua. Caleb was described as a man who wholly followed the Lord. This was his testimony. It causes us to wonder what words would be used to describe us. Would we be described as following the Lord as Caleb, walking with God as Enoch, a friend of God as Abraham or would we be described as selfish, proud, two-faced or arrogant?

Caleb was in the minority, one of only two spies from the original 12 who returned from the mission with a positive report. Yet he was not silent. Caleb, as we so often tend to do, did not let fear of his peers stop him from completing the work of the Lord. When the 10 spies brought their evil report, Caleb and Joshua stood strong and spoke out against it, reminding the people of their God who had delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians, and who could overcome these Canaanites.

This was a difficult stand to take, but Caleb and Joshua were rewarded for their service to God. As punishment for the unbelief shown by the people, who chose to accept the evil report rather than the promises of God, the Lord did not permit any of them to enter into the land. For 40 years therefore, the children of Israel would wander in the wilderness until all of that generation, above a certain age, had died. All, that is, except for two people. Caleb and Joshua received their reward, as they would be the only ones of their generation to see the promised land.

We ought to obey God rather than men - Acts 5:29

Them that honour me I will honour - 1 Samuel 2:30

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, it will often be hard for us to take a stand. But when we do, God will honour and bless that stand. If we wholly depend on Him, and on His promises, He will give us the strength to speak for Him, even among our peers. Yes, we may face opposition from both believers and from those who are not saved, but we will have our reward. That's not to say we will see instant results, nor does it guarantee any kind of material prosperity in our lives, but God WILL honour those who honour Him. Perhaps, like Caleb, we will have to wait 40 years too see, but God will keep His promise to His people. 

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us - Romans 8:18