A different Spirit – Faith Surrendered to God’s Promises
In Numbers 13 and 14 we see how a few men were sent out on God’s command to spy out the land of Canaan which God was to give the sons of Israel. When they came back they gave a report to Moses, Aaron and the congregation. The land was flowing with milk and honey, it was fruitful, but the people who lived in the city was strong, and the cities were fortified and very large. Here they stood – the promise was great, but so was the challenges they had to overcome.
What happened from here on is where the chaff was separated from the wheat. Joshua and Caleb chose to believe God. They put their focus on who God is and what He had said. Their perspective was that if God said it, He will bring it to pass. They reminded themself that God is the One who leads and does, they just follow. It’s about God’s power and might, not their own abilities.
6Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes [as a sign of grief], 7and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, ‘The land through which we passed as spies is an exceedingly good land. 8If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. 9Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.”
Numbers 14:6-9 AMP
Joshua and Caleb declared God’s promises, they spoke life, they spoke in confidence of God. They believed God and subdued their fear to God and their faith in Him.
Out of the reaction of the other spies and the congregation in following them, we can derive that they feared the enemy and the challenges more than they feared and revered God. They might not even have known this, but because of their focus on the enemy and the challenges rather than their focusing on God, this is essentially what their belief was.
They had a deceived humility as they focused in fear on their own inability. Whether they knew it or not, their disbelief insulted God and His sovereignty. We are to be very careful with the thoughts we allow and the words we speak – does it glorify God as the Almighty, the One who is for us, or does it insult God out of fear and disbelief that we are holding on to?
Joshua and Caleb focused on God and His Almighty Power. They set their minds on what God had said and His faithfulness to act in accordance with it. They were not arrogant. They were confident. Confident in God. Just like David was before Goliath (1 Samuel 17). They spoke in agreement with their trust in God. They spoke it into being in the presence of God, because God said it first (Numbers 13:1).
Both Joshua, Caleb and the other spies had discernment. Both stated the facts. What separated them was how they chose to speak out their opinion: In faith or with a lack of fear of God?
The consequences were great. Those who spoke against the promises of God and His sovereignty, received what was in line with what they said: They were not established and they did not enter the Promised Land.
Joshua and Caleb lived to see God’s promises unfold in His great power, sovereignty and faithfulness.
There are many differences that can be drawn between Joshua & Caleb against the other spies and the congregation, but I believe the one great source of difference was what God said in Numbers 14:24.
24But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.”
Numbers 14:24 AMP
What spirit did He have? He was fully surrendered to the Spirit of God!
