Topical Bible: Obedience: Caleb

◄ Obedience: Caleb ►

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Caleb, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is a quintessential example of obedience to God. He is best known for his unwavering faith and loyalty, which set him apart as a model of steadfastness and trust in God's promises. Caleb's account is primarily found in the books of Numbers and Joshua, where his obedience is highlighted in the context of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

Background and Early Life

Caleb was the son of Jephunneh, a Kenizzite, and a leader of the tribe of Judah. His lineage is significant, as the Kenizzites were originally a non-Israelite people, indicating that Caleb's family had integrated into the Israelite community. Despite this, Caleb's faith and commitment to God were exemplary, earning him a place among the leaders of Israel.

The Twelve Spies

Caleb's obedience is most notably demonstrated during the episode of the twelve spies. In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve men, one from each tribe, to explore the land of Canaan. Caleb, representing the tribe of Judah, was among them. Upon their return, ten of the spies reported that the land was indeed fruitful but inhabited by formidable giants, causing fear and discouragement among the Israelites.

In contrast, Caleb, along with Joshua, displayed remarkable faith and obedience. He silenced the people and declared, "We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!" (Numbers 13:30). Caleb's confidence was rooted in his trust in God's promise to give the land to Israel. His obedience was not swayed by the daunting circumstances or the negative report of the other spies.

Divine Commendation

Caleb's obedience did not go unnoticed by God. In Numbers 14:24, God commended Caleb, saying, "But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it" . This divine commendation highlights Caleb's unique spirit of obedience and faith, distinguishing him from the rest of the Israelites who succumbed to fear and disobedience.

Inheritance and Reward

Caleb's obedience was rewarded when, after forty years of wandering in the wilderness, he entered the Promised Land. In Joshua 14, Caleb approached Joshua at Gilgal and reminded him of God's promise. At the age of eighty-five, Caleb declared, "I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out; my strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then" (Joshua 14:11). His unwavering faith and obedience were rewarded with the inheritance of Hebron, a significant and strategic region in Canaan.

Legacy of Obedience

Caleb's legacy is one of faithfulness and obedience to God. His life serves as a powerful testament to the blessings that come from trusting in God's promises and following His commands wholeheartedly. Caleb's account encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of challenges and opposition, trusting that God rewards those who diligently seek Him and obey His word.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 1:36
Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he has trodden on, and to his children, because he has wholly followed the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Wine of Prayer
... Then I made a wine-press out of pieces of faith, patience, and obedience, and placed
a heavy weight on top made of perseverance. ... Thanks to Caleb for his words! ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter twelve the wine of.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... So Caleb and Joshua brush aside the terrors of the Anaks and all the ... Obedience turns
God's 'ifs' into 'verilys.' There, then, we have an outline picture of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

The Census of Israel
... Faith is the mother of obedience. The Lord said that Caleb "had another spirit with
him": faith puts quite another spirit into a man: it is not a murmuring or ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Shall we Go?
... Caleb's following was so unflinching, so against the current of his whole time,
that it stands out with the ... The touch of obedience brings music out of sacrifice ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/shall we go.htm

Afraid of Giants
... And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and ... us
by the issues that His is better, and that daring, which is obedience, is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/afraid of giants.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... and all of them who were above twenty years old except Joshua and Caleb were not ...
have the benefit of worship to God without it; (c) He owes obedience to God. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... Is it not that Thou goest with us?" It was this gave Caleb and Joshua their confidence:
The Lord is with us. ... It is a simple question of obedience. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ...
... This Caleb was one of the spies which Moses sent into the land of Canaan. ... and
accordingly they exhorted them to do what they ought to do in obedience to their ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how after the.htm

A Summary of Israel's Faithlessness and God's Patience
... which He had showed to Israel, and which should have inspired them to glad obedience. ...
If Joshua was of about the same age as Caleb, he would be about eighty at ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a summary of israels faithlessness.htm

The End of the War
... Joshua, the eagerness for perilous honour that flamed, undimmed by age, in Caleb,
the daring ... Their obedience is to be based on love to God, who is their God no ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the end of the war.htm