Caleb was one of the spy who looked into the land of Canaan to see how the land was. There were actually 12 spies dispatched by Moses to explore the land promised to the Israel people. However, 10 of them spread a bad report about the land. Only Joshua and Caleb brought the good news and was strong in faith that they can have the land.
The Reports of the Spies :
7 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country;and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.” -that was the report of the 10 spies.
Because of that bad news the Israel people grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
14: 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” 4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”-Numbers 14:1-4
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possesion of the land, for we can certainly do it.”-that was the only positive report.
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 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. 9 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.”So, the promised of God to him : Numbers 14:5-930
The Lord answered their prayer, however with conditions to those who grumbled against God.
20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lordfills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.-Numbers 14:20-23
However, to Caleb who trusted in God, this was what the Lord said:
24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it, says the Lord.Numbers 14:24
Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we live by faith and not by sight"
Most people look at things by sight and not by faith. These are some negative things that people say when faced with obstructions on their plan or desired dreams: I cannot do it; I don't have money for it; that cannot be done; that is impossible; and all the negative things that they see in fullfillment of their dreams and plans.
Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to do the first step and have God to work with your plans by praying and trusting that He will make you realized your dreams. Some people say that God answers, Yes, No or Wait. I tell you God, never answers No to a prayer request. . Di ba sabi ni Jesus,"
"Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ". John 14:13-14
However, there is a condition. (of course hindi din naman tayo hihingi ng bagay na makakasama sa ating kapwa-it should be in line with God's command),
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.James 1:6-8
When we see obstructions along the way to our desired plan, we tend to get away with it and changed the plan. Normally people trust in the power of the people and not seen the power of God, just like those Israel who had seen the power of God in their life, but still failed to trust in Him.
Look at what happened to those who grumbled: They were not left by punishment.
33 Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. 34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.-Numbers 14:33-34
Take note that every sin has it's equal punishment.
CONCLUSION
So, the story of Jacob taught us that we should look things by faith and not by sight. That every sin we committed there is an equal punishment. You may be forgiven, but still are not free from punishment.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
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