Taking Possession of Canaan

Joshua 14:6-14; Judges 1:20, 21

GOLDEN TEXT: “Thou hest wholly followed the Lord my God.”—Joshua 14:9

NO MORE complimentary words could possibly be spoken about anyone than those of our Golden Text. To receive God’s approval because of faithfulness to Him is a praiseworthy ambition, a noble motive of life which is sure to result in a reward. Indeed, divine approval, apart from any other consideration, is in itself an exceeding great reward. In one of Jesus’ parables the faithful of this Gospel age are said to hear the words of approbation, “Well done, good and faithful servant, … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Caleb, to whom Moses addressed the words of the Golden Text, was one of the twelve who were sent into Canaan to spy out the land and report to Israel the possibilities of entering in and possessing it. Ten of the spies advised against the undertaking, but Joshua and Caleb, who had unbounded confidence in the Lord’s ability to make good His promises, brought back a minority report recommending that they enter the land at once, depending upon the Lord to drive out their enemies before them. The people, lacking faith in God, agreed with the ten; but the Lord did not forget the courage and faith of the two—Joshua and Caleb—and today’s lesson records the fulfillment of a special promise made to Caleb by Moses because he had “wholly followed the Lord.”

Caleb was a member of the house of Judah only by adoption. He was of the seed of Abraham, but through Esau rather than Jacob. The example of his faithfulness is therefore of special interest to us because it reveals that the hearts of men and women can be true to the Lord irrespective of their birth. While God highly favored the natural descendants of Abraham, for typical and other reasons, yet He would not have us understand that it is necessary for anyone to belong to a special family tree in order to be a recipient of His blessings.

The Israelites were heirs of many of God’s rich promises. But the continuance of divine blessing upon them depended upon their faithfulness to the Lord. This principle is illustrated in God’s dealings both with individuals and nations. It is brought especially to the fore in His dealings with Caleb, who, although not in direct line by heredity to obtain God’s favor, nevertheless, was blessed because he had “wholly followed the Lord.”

Caleb’s reward for faithfulness was of a material nature. As an adopted member of the house of Judah he claimed Hebron for himself and the entire tribe. At this time a considerable portion of the land had been conquered by the Israelites, but Hebron was still in the hands of their enemies. In making request for it therefore, he realized that a severe struggle must ensue before he could actually possess it.

But Caleb was undaunted by the necessity of battle. At eighty-five years of age he had the same unlimited confidence in the Lord that lay at the foundation of His favorable report as a spy forty-five years previously. Forty years of wandering in the wilderness and subsequent battling with fortified enemies had not weakened his faith in the God of Israel, and His ability to care for those who were wholly faithful to Him. The years already spent in Canaan had furnished abundant proof—if proof were needed—that Israel’s God was mighty in battle and that there could be no enemies formidable enough to fight successfully against Him. Caleb might well have feared the outcome of a battle against the giants dwelling in the land were he trusting in his own strength and wisdom to drive them out. But he knew that God was on his side, and in the strength of that conviction he went forward and possessed the land.

God has not promised material blessings to spiritual Israelites of this age. On the other hand, he invites the followers of Jesus to sacrifice earthly advantages in order that they may be free to devote themselves fully to His service. Under the law of the Jewish dispensation, God’s people were asked to give a tenth of their material gain to the Lord, but spiritual Israelites are invited to give all.

This is brought clearly to our attention in the Master’s conversation with the rich young ruler, to whom He said, “Go sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.” (Matt. 19:21) The Christian’s “land of promise” is a heavenly Canaan. “Holy brethren,” writes Paul, “partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.”—Heb. 3:1

Christians, like Caleb, must defeat their enemies ere they can enter wholly into their inheritance. Enemies of the Christian are many and varied, and some of them are giants too. Satan is one of these and allied with him are the world and our own flesh. Their weapons are those of selfishness—self-interest—pride, vain glory, and many others of similar nature. Our hearts might well quake before such an unholy alliance were it not for the many promises of God to give us the victory. Knowing that greater is He who is for us than all who be against us, we, too, can go forward in the narrow way confident of finally entering into the rest that remaineth for the people of God.

But it will require faith in the promises, and zeal for doing God’s will. “Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.” How very important is the apostle’s admonition! May we give heed to it!—Hebrews 4:1-10

QUESTIONS:

Who was Caleb, and why was he blessed by God?

In what way do God’s promises to spiritual Israelites differ from those made to natural Israel?

What are the enemies of a Christian? and how are they conquered?

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