Joshua and Caleb were two Israelites who were delivered from Egypt along with Moses and the rest of the nation of Israel. I want to briefly reflect on some simple lessons we can learn from these two men demonstrating their faith.
Joshua and Caleb famously trusted the Lord to help the people of Israel fight their enemies and take possession of the land of Canaan even when the majority let fear drive out their trust. How often do we let fear drive out trust? Fear is a dangerous motivation and it causes us to act in ways that don’t demonstrate trust. Let us recognize when we are acting in fear and be conscious and careful.
When fear was displacing the faith of the people of Israel, Caleb spoke up.
Numbers 13:30 (ESV)
”But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
Speaking an unpopular truth in faith takes courage. Let’s not mistake an unpopular opinion for unpopular truth (not every contrarian position is courageous truth-telling, and the distinction matters). I want to suggest a few sources of courage that we may use to find the courage to speak when it is difficult. First, draw on your faith that God sees and cares about you. Joshua and Caleb were rewarded for their faithfulness. What motivation do we have to stand out from the crowd if we don’t have the faith that God sees it and cares? It is encouraging to know that regardless of unpopularity, God regards those who are faithful among those who aren’t. Joshua and Caleb may not have known that they would be rewarded in this way, but their story gives us confidence that God cares. Reflect on the times in your life that it has been shown that God cares. Reflect on the death of Jesus and that demonstration of care for you.
Joshua and Caleb knew what the right thing to do was, to trust in the Lord and take the land. When we are tempted to remain silent in times when we know what the right thing to do is, let us draw courage from the certainty of knowing God’s word and knowing the right thing to do. Let’s use that certainty and faith to “quiet the people” like Caleb did (Numbers 13:30), to encourage others and drive out their fear. Of all the children of Israel that God delivered from Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb “wholly followed the Lord” (Numbers 32:12). May that same wholehearted faithfulness be the standard we pursue.