By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Religion, Samford University
Caleb: Unwavering Faith
Numbers 13:26–30; 14:6–10, 21–24
Traveling south from the northern reaches of the land of Israel, down toward Jerusalem and Beer Sheva, a subtle but irresistible change is evident in the land. The green trees and fields of the North gradually give way to browner hues. Stubborn shrubs begin to huddle around dry stream beds until the land finally gives up and becomes stark and seemingly endless wilderness. The biblical authors and the characters whose lives they narrate regularly return to these deserted settings. Abraham and his sons spend their years in the wilderness. David hides here from Saul. Elijah returns to here when he is on the run from Jezebel. Even Jesus begins His ministry with 40 days and nights in this barren place.
For each of these characters, time spent in the wilderness served the same purpose. It was here they could get away from the din of city life and in the silence of the desert train their ears to hear God’s voice. Here these figures would learn that trust was more important than skill or wealth. It was here they would develop a tough-as-nails faith, the kind of desert faith that would survive the tough times that lay ahead.
The wilderness experience was especially important for the Israelites who had followed Moses out of Egypt. Here, in a land with little water and less food, the people of Israel would have to learn to trust in God’s sufficiency.
Unfortunately, this test would prove too much for the nation. When finally given the chance to leave the wilderness and enter the promised land, only two would rise to meet the challenge: Caleb and Joshua.
Trust God more than your circumstances. (13:26–30)
As the Israelites approached the land of Canaan, Moses chose 12 spies, one from each of Israel’s tribes, to venture into the land and get a sense of the challenges they were about to face. The spies were in unison when they reported back that the land was lush and fertile. They also were in unison when they reported that the land was inhabited by powerful people. Where the group lost its unanimity was in their response to these two facts. For nearly all of the spies, the size and strength of the enemies they would face proved too much for them. Defying God’s command, they insisted they simply could not take the land. It was here that Caleb’s unwavering faith was particularly evident. Though his eyes had seen the great struggles the people would have to endure, he challenged the people, urging them to obey God’s command and go take the land.
Trust God to continually be with you. (14:6–10)
Sadly the Israelites were more inclined to listen to the spies who doubted than to those who believed. Even as the whole nation stood against them Caleb and Joshua still insisted that they could, indeed must, follow God’s command to enter the land. With a combination of courage in their convictions and confidence in their God, they argued, “If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land and give it to us.”
Trust God to be faithful. (14:21–24)
The Israelites remained unpersuaded by Caleb’s words, leading to one of the great tragedies of the nation’s history. Though this generation had experienced the exodus from Egypt, they would not continue on to enter the promised land. All was not lost for the nation, though. Because of their steadfast trust and confidence in God’s care, Caleb and Joshua would live on to lead the nation through the conquest and lay claim to the land God had promised them. Having learned the lessons of faith in the wilderness, these two went on to see God bring His promise to completion.
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