The Road to the Kingdom

The men Caleb and Joshua and the Old Testament have a lot for us to learn. Caleb Num.13:30 encourages his friends with whom they were sent to spy out the land to be positive in their thinking. I am most encouragd by this man's faith in God especially as he says in Num.14:8-9, "Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us, their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us, do not fear them."

But the people of Isreal did not believe and wanted to stone Joshua and Caleb (Num 14:10). By changing the name of Hoshea the son of Nun to Joshua, which means "God is salvation" (Deut 32:44), God is speaking to us through Moses, that His people will be delivered from their enemies and that the object of His promise to their forefathers was to be given them in its due season, if they were faithful to Him. Their contined disbelieve cause them to linger for forty long years in the wilderness. They all fell asleep but His faithful servants Caleb and Joshua entered the promise land. (Num. 26:65).

Caleb was promised to enter and inherit the land because of his wholehearted trust in God. He was 40 years old when this promise was made to him (Joshua14: 7-10) and 45 years after the Lord had kept him alive and as strong as he had been 40 years earlier. At 85 years old he requested, and was given, Hebron. If we remain faithful to the end we will inherit salvation and will never grow old in God's kingdom - we will inherit everlasting joy.

Caleb gave his daughter as wife to Othniel the son of Kenaz for fighting and taking Debir (Josh 15:15-17). There are many lessons here for us to learn. That the kingdom road is slippery and narrow and few find it. That our fellow humans, even brethren, will discourage us along the way to the kingdom. But those who continue to the end will be granted salvation.

Bro. Emmanuel Nanji (Bamenda, Cameroon)