JOSHUA 13:1-3, 6-7; 14:6-15
How did Caleb approach Joshua about Moses’ promise?
As Caleb laid out his case, what did he offer as past, present, and future evidence?
How did Joshua respond to Caleb’s request?
What proclamation about God does Caleb make that is like Moses?
What reason is given for Caleb’s inheritance? What does this tell you about his relationship with God?
Find God’s Ways for You
How do you approach people when reminding them of a promise? How has it worked out?
How have you responded when someone has approached you about a promise you made?
If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.
JAMES 1:5
What advice does this verse offer?
Stop and Ponder
God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
JAMES 1:12
THE LEGACY
Seek God’s Word for Truth
Read the following passage:
After Joshua died, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Which tribe should attack the Canaanites first?”
The Lord answered, “Judah, for I have given them victory over the land.”
Judah marched against the Canaanites in Hebron (formerly called Kiriath-arba), defeating the forces of Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai. From there they marched against the people living in the town of Debir (formerly called Kiriath-sepher).
Then Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the one who attacks and captures Kiriath-sepher.” Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz, was the one who conquered it, so Acsah became Othniel’s wife.
When Acsah married Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for an additional field. As she got down off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What is it? What can I do for you?”
She said, “Give me a further blessing. You have been kind enough to give me land in the Negev; please give me springs as well.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
JUDGES 1:1-2, 10-15
After Joshua died, the tribe of Judah was selected to lead the taking of the Caananite land. Who was the tribal leader? What significance do you find in this?
What incentive does Caleb offer the man who will secure the area of Kiriath-sepher?
Who accomplishes this feat? How does Caleb keep his word?
How would you describe Caleb’s relationship with his daughter? What similarities do you see between the two of them?
Read the following passage:
After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and worshiped the images of Baal. They abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They chased after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the Lord. They abandoned the Lord to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.
Then the Lord raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their enemies.
The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They forgot about the Lord their God, and they worshiped the images of Baal and the Asherah poles. Then the Lord burned with anger against Israel, and he handed them over to King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram-naharaim. And the Israelites were subject to Cushan-rishathaim for eight years.
But when Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a man to rescue them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him. So there was peace in the land for forty years. Then Othniel son of Kenaz died.
JUDGES 2:10-13, 16; 3:7-11
What happened after Joshua and Caleb’s generation died? What did God do to help the people?
Who was Israel’s first judge and how did he become a judge? What, if any, similarities to Caleb do you find in him?
Find God’s Ways for You
What is Caleb’s most outstanding trait? Why do you think so?
In what ways do you identify with Caleb? What have you learned about yourself from this study?
What have you learned about God from Caleb’s experiences?
Stop and Ponder
Dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
CALEB THE WARRIOR
Caleb often despaired because of his inability to follow the law that God had given to His people. Hundreds of years later, the apostle Paul would speak of this same struggle:
“I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
ROMANS 7:22-25
Interestingly, there are parallels between the lives of Caleb and Jesus:
Caleb
Questionable birthright
Of the tribe of Judah
Endured unfair consequences as a result of others’ actions
War hero of Judah
Committed to completing his mission—clearing the land of enemies so God’s people might live in it
Commander of Israel’s army, fighting for God and for his family
Believed and relied on the Word of God
A prayer warrior armed for battle
Jesus
Questionable birthright
Of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Endured unfair execution as a result of our actions (2 Cor. 5:21)
Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5)
Committed to completing His mission—clearing our lives of sin so God Himself might live in us (John 6:56)
Commander of the armies of heaven, fighting our spiritual battles (Rev. 19:11-16)
Is the Word of God (John 1:1)
Is our armor and intercedes for us (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb. 7:24-25)
The same armor that covered Caleb spiritually is available to us today. In his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote:
A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.
EPHESIANS 6:10-18
BOOK THREE
The Prince
ONE
“We have no weapons!”
“We’ll have to find a way to make them.”
“How? There isn’t a blacksmith in the whole land of Israel to make them. The Philistines made sure of that. Those they d
idn’t murder, they took captive.”
Jonathan sat with his father, Saul, beneath the shade of an olive tree. His uncles, frustrated and angry, bewailed the latest Philistine raid.
“Even if we could make swords, what good would they be? Whatever the Philistines’ swords and spear tips are made of, they’re far superior to ours. Bronze isn’t strong enough. It shatters against their blades.”
“I choke on my pride every time I have to go down to Aijalon and pay hard-earned shekels to a stinking Philistine so he’ll sharpen my plowshare and sickles!”
“If I need an ax sharpened, I have to answer question after question.”
Another laughed bitterly. “I need my pitchfork repaired this year, and new points for the ox goad. I wonder how much that will cost me.”
Saul stared off toward the fields. “There’s nothing we can do about it.”
The Philistine outpost at Geba was only a short distance away, and it was the duty of Saul’s tribe, the Benjaminites, to keep close watch over it.
“Kish says what we need is a king!”
Saul shook his head. “You know what the prophet Samuel says about having a king.”
“The Philistines have kings. That’s why they’re organized.”
“If only Samuel were like Samson. Instead, all he does is blame us for what’s happening.”
Jonathan looked at his father. “Grandfather Ahimaaz said the Lord our God is more powerful than all the gods of Philistia.”
The uncles exchanged sallow looks.
Jonathan leaned forward. “Grandfather Ahimaaz said when the Philistines killed the high priests’ sons and took the Ark of the Covenant, God went to war against them. Their god Dagon fell facedown before the Ark, his head and the hands breaking off. And then the Lord cursed the Philistines with tumors and a plague of rats. They were so afraid they sent the Ark back on a cart pulled by two milch cows and loaded with gold!”
Saul shook his head. “That was years ago.”
One of Jonathan’s uncles flung a pebble. “God leaves us alone now to defend ourselves.”
Jonathan felt confused. “But if the Lord—”
Saul looked at him. “Your mother tells you too many stories about what her father said.”
“But they’re true, aren’t they?”
Another uncle snorted in despair. “It was years ago! When was the last time the Lord did anything for us?”
Saul put his arm around Jonathan. “There are things you don’t yet understand, my son. When you are a man—”
“Saul!”
At the sound of Kish’s angry shout, Saul removed his arm from around Jonathan’s shoulders and stood. “What now?” he grumbled. “I’m here!”
Jonathan’s grandfather strode across the partially plowed field, his fine robes billowing around him, the red tinge in his cheeks betraying his temper. His younger sons scattered like chaff before a strong wind, leaving Saul alone to face their father.
Saul came out from the shade. “What’s the matter?”
His question fanned the flames. “What’s the matter? You have to ask me?”
Saul’s face darkened. “If I knew, I wouldn’t ask.”
“You’re out here sitting in the shade, and my donkeys are missing!”
“Missing?” Saul frowned and looked off toward the hills.
“Yes! Missing! Have you no ears that you can hear?”
“I told Mesha to watch over the donkeys.”
Jonathan gulped. Mesha was an old man, easily distracted. No wonder the donkeys had gone missing.
“Mesha?” Kish spat in disgust. “Mesha!”
Saul spread his hands. “Well, I can’t be in two places at the same time. I’ve been plowing the field.”
“Plowing? Is that what you call sitting under an olive tree, talking with your brothers?” Kish shouted for the rest to hear. “Will we have enough food with all of you sitting around talking?”
“We were making plans.”
“Plans for what?”
“War.”
Kish barked a harsh laugh. “We would need a king to lead us into war, and we have no king. Where are my donkeys?” He made a fist.
Saul stepped back out of range of a blow. “It’s not my fault Mesha didn’t do as he was told!”
“You’ll lose the oxen next! How long do you think you’ll manage without animals to pull the plow? I’ll have to put you to harness!”
Saul’s face reddened. He stalked back into the shade.
Kish followed. “I put you in charge! I didn’t want a servant watching over my donkeys! I wanted my son watching them!”
“You have more than one son!”
“You’re the eldest!” He cursed. “Mesha is an old man and a hireling. What does it matter to him if my property is lost? You’re the one to inherit. If you had to put someone over those animals, why didn’t you send Jonathan? He would have kept close watch over my property.”
Jonathan cringed. Why did his grandfather have to pitch him into the fray? His father’s pride was easily pricked.
Saul glared. “You always blame me when anything goes wrong!”
“Father, I’ll go look—”
“No, you won’t!” both men shouted.
“I’ll send one of the servants.” Saul turned as if to leave.
Kish yelled, “No, you won’t! You’ll go yourself. And don’t give me excuses! You’re not going to sit out here on your backside and wait for someone else to find what you allowed to wander off. Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys!” Kish strode back toward Gibeah, still shouting. “And don’t even think about riding a donkey. There’s only one donkey left, and that one stays here. You can search on foot! And take someone other than Mesha with you!”
Saul kicked the dust and muttered. Eyes blazing, he stormed across the field toward home. Jonathan followed.
His mother, Ahinoam, stood in the doorway, waiting for them. The whole town had probably heard Kish shouting out in the field. “I’ve filled two water bags and stuffed two packs with bread.”
His father scowled. “You’re so eager to have me go?”
She put her hand against his heart. “The sooner you go, the sooner you will be back.”
“I’ll go with you, Father.”
Ahinoam followed Saul inside the house. “Jehiel knows more about donkeys than any man in Gibeah, Saul. Take him with you. Jonathan can continue the plowing.”
“But, Mother—”
She gave Jonathan a quelling look. “With both of you gone, nothing would get done.”
“Father, the Philistines may have stolen the donkeys and taken them to Geba.” The garrison was not far away. “We should go there first.”
His mother faced him. “You’re not going. Your father has enough to do without having to watch out for you.”
Jonathan’s face went hot. “I can use a bow better than any man in Gibeah.”
“Your father is going out to find donkeys, not start a war.”
“Enough!” Saul snarled. “Pack me enough bread and dried fruit to last me a few days. There’s no telling how far the donkeys have wandered.”
His wife moved quickly to do his bidding.
Saul muttered and stormed around the room, kicking things out of his way. When he saw Jonathan still standing there, he jerked his chin. “Go and find Jehiel. Tell him to hurry up!”
“I’ll go.” Jonathan backed toward the door. “But what if the donkeys are in Geba?”
Saul flung his hand into the air. “Then they’re gone, aren’t they? And Mesha will wish he had done what he was told!”
“They’ve wandered off.” Ahinoam spoke in soothing tones. “That’s all that’s happened. You’ll find them before the sun sets, my love.” She shoved more bread into a sack. “The Philistines have more donkeys than they need. Besides, they covet horses.”
Saul shouted after Jonathan. “Tell Jehiel I’m ready and waiting on him!”
Jonathan found Jehiel hard at work repairing t
he wall of an empty sheepfold. “Kish is sending my father out to find some stray donkeys. My father wants you to go with him. He’s packed and ready to go.”
Jehiel straightened and brushed his hands off. “I will gather what I need and come.”
Jonathan followed him. “You could tell my father that the sheep might escape if you don’t complete your work. You could say I can serve him as well as you.” He had explored the hills and valleys all around Gibeah and even dared go close enough to the walls of Geba to hear the guards talking.
“The sheep are out to pasture, Jonathan, and there are two shepherds to watch over them.”
“What if you run into Philistines while you’re searching for the donkeys?”
“You needn’t worry about your father. We will avoid the Philistines. Even if by mischance we crossed paths with them, I doubt they would bother with two men on foot with little more than some bread and water to steal.”
Jonathan sighed.
Before the two men left, Saul gripped Jonathan’s shoulder. “Finish plowing the west field. Keep watch over your brothers. You know how they tend to wander.”
“I wish I were going with you.”
Saul looked past him to Ahinoam. “Soon.”
Jonathan went out to work in the west field. Not long after his father and Jehiel had left, his mother came out to him. It was not her habit to do so, and he stopped the oxen to wait. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing. Sit with me in the shade and rest a while.”
“Father wanted me to plow—”
“I will not keep you from your work for long, my son.”
He secured the reins and followed her. She led him to the same tree where he had sat earlier with his father and uncles, listening to talk of kings and war.
Kneeling, she laid out fresh bread, a skin of wine, dried dates and raisins.
Jonathan’s brows rose slightly. Perhaps she meant to sweeten words that would sour his mood. His defenses rose.
She looked up at him. “You are still upset that you weren’t allowed to go with your father.”
Sons of Encouragement Page 39
