Joshua and Caleb

Joshua and Caleb
Thursday, December 31, 2020 by Zachary J. Hunter

Joshua and Caleb

By: Zachary Hunter

Most if not all of us have heard the story of Joshua and Caleb from the Old Testament. For those who have not here is the gist of it. Joshua and Caleb were sent by Moses into the land of Canaan which the Lord had promised Israel as its homeland. They were part of a group of 12 spies sent in to scout the land. When they returned ten of the spies claimed that they were but insects compared to the giants who inhabited the land. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who said that Israel could win.

In this time of crisis, upheaval and general chaos which voice are you going to be? As we war for our nation’s future what will you say? Will we be like the spies, claiming victory is impossible? Some certainly are and not just our enemies, but even those who should be on our side. They tell us to shut up, that victory is impossible and that we should accept the outcome. I’ve heard that some have even apologized to those who seek our downfall for speaking out.

I say no! We shall not be a collection of people who give up and give in but we shall be an army of Joshua’s and Caleb’s! First let us look at the consequences of failure. The ten spies did not just report to Moses their fears and doubts but spread them to the whole of Israel. Through their words the Israelites lost all faith and began to grumble about going back to Egypt where they had been slaves.

Joshua and Caleb tried to fight this by telling the people of how amazing the land they were to inherit was but the people did not listen. Indeed they wanted to stone not only Joshua and Caleb but also Moses and Aaron. Does anything of this sound at all familiar to our modern day? It certainly should. The Lord was so angry that he wanted to destroy all of Israel and make a new nation from Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb.

It was only through the intercession of Moses that the people were saved but they did not go unpunished. Heed these punishments and to whom they happened for in this time we may well find a modern equivalent coming if we do not believe in the Lord’s victory. The ten spies who spoke against taking the land were killed by a plague the very next day. Everyone who grumbled against the Lord were told they would never enter the promised land and that their children would inherit it only after they died.

For 40 years they wandered the desert until all who had grumbled had died. In this not only were the grumblers punished but their children were made to suffer with them. In the end only Joshua and Caleb would be allowed to live to enter the promise land. As you can see the price of not believing and giving voice to defeat when God claims victory is harsh. Do not let your voice be the stumbling block that causes pain for you and for others.

We need to be Joshua and Caleb, telling people that the land is good and that victory is ours! Not only that but we must be able to do so as they did. They did not see their enemies through their natural eyes but through their spiritual eyes. When others called them giants Joshua and Caleb said, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

They saw that victory was with the Lord and believed and rested on His promise that the land was theirs. Right now we have many voices telling us we cannot win, that this nation will belong to one who hates God and His ways. Some have believed it, calling our enemies giants that we cannot defeat. But I say no! I and others believe the Lord has declared victory over our enemies and I declare and decree that victory manifest in the natural realm! I believe in Him and His ways and His victory and like Joshua and Caleb I say we will see victory!

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