Caleb is a great role model for any of us who are over 60. Actually he is a great role model for all of us. Only he (age 40) and Joshua, of the twelve spies, believed that God would guide and protect the infant nation of Israel if they followed His command and invaded the Promised Land. (See Numbers 13 + 14) Because of their faithfulness to God, they alone of all the men of their age lived to enter the Promised Land, 40 years later.
After a number of battles as Israel was conquering the new country, at age 85, Caleb was still in great shape and feisty enough to be "looking for a fight". Actually he was looking for what was promised to him by Moses - that he would would walk on the land that he and his children would have as their inheritance in the Land. So at age 85 he asked Joshua to designate "this hill country" as his. He reminded Joshua of what they had experienced together four decades before.
What I notice in this passage, more than Caleb's age, his energy, faith or vision, are the words used to describe him several times. Depending upon the translation, Caleb himself, Moses and the author of Joshua, describe him as a man who: "followed the Lord wholeheartedly" or "followed the Lord fully" or "followed the Lord with his whole heart". (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14)
What a great description for any woman or man who claims to be a Christian, a Christ follower. It is too easy to be "1/2 hearted, or 3/4 hearted" in our obedience or loyalty. It is too easy to slip back from a full commitment to Christ to an easy, half-hearted attitude. Without even noticing it, we can develop the lifestyle of: "I will serve and obey Him unless it becomes uncomfortable or too demanding."
God is looking for those who at age 40 and at age 85 are following Him "with their whole heart."
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
After a number of battles as Israel was conquering the new country, at age 85, Caleb was still in great shape and feisty enough to be "looking for a fight". Actually he was looking for what was promised to him by Moses - that he would would walk on the land that he and his children would have as their inheritance in the Land. So at age 85 he asked Joshua to designate "this hill country" as his. He reminded Joshua of what they had experienced together four decades before.
What I notice in this passage, more than Caleb's age, his energy, faith or vision, are the words used to describe him several times. Depending upon the translation, Caleb himself, Moses and the author of Joshua, describe him as a man who: "followed the Lord wholeheartedly" or "followed the Lord fully" or "followed the Lord with his whole heart". (Joshua 14:8, 9, 14)
What a great description for any woman or man who claims to be a Christian, a Christ follower. It is too easy to be "1/2 hearted, or 3/4 hearted" in our obedience or loyalty. It is too easy to slip back from a full commitment to Christ to an easy, half-hearted attitude. Without even noticing it, we can develop the lifestyle of: "I will serve and obey Him unless it becomes uncomfortable or too demanding."
God is looking for those who at age 40 and at age 85 are following Him "with their whole heart."
"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33
"Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:12)
No comments:
Post a Comment