“When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of
forty days, they proceeded to
come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in
the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to
all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Thus they told
him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does
flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” Numbers 13:25-27
Because
the Bible is divinely inspired and every word has a purpose, often within the
great stories of the Bible is usually a story within the story. And sometimes
the story within the story is as good as the main story!
So,
let’s put together this story within the story!
God
called His people to consecrate themselves in Kadesh Barnea so Joshua could
lead them into the promised rest. Caleb was the only one who did. No wonder he
had a different spirit!
Only
Caleb entered into Canaan and claimed Hebron as his inheritance because of his
different spirit!
I
want to call your attention to one of the stories within the story of God’s
people camping near the Jordan across from the Promised Land. It centers around
several names and places:
“Kadesh
Barnea“
“Caleb”
“Hebron”
“Joshua”
Kadesh
Barnea was the place where the Israelites were in or around for 38 of the 40
years they spent in their wandering. It was near Canaan, the Land of Promise,
and where the spies were chosen to be sent into spy out Canaan. It was where
Moses buried His sister, Miriam. Kadesh was the place where Moses got water
from the rock to provide for God’s people. Kadesh Barnea was symbolic of
consecration or preparation. It was a holy place but still a place of struggle.
Their
unwillingness to commit, to consecrate themselves to the will of God kept them
from entering into the land of Promise.
God
calls individual believers and churches to a place of consecration so they can
leave their wandering and enter into His promised rest. Only a “different
spirit” will allow you (and us) to enter into inherit Hebron.
Hebron
was another significant place in Biblical history. It was located within
Canaan, the Land of Promise. It was where Abraham met God and built and altar
in days of old. It was the place Abraham buried his beloved Sarah. It was the
city where David ruled the divided Kingdom. It was the place given to Caleb as his
inheritance. It literally means “union”, as in union with God, a place of rest.
It is where Jesus wants to lead us.
Joshua
was the Old Testament representation of Christ. It was Joshua who led God’s
people into Canaan, the land of the promised rest. Joshua defeated the giants that
dwelt there and chased them out so Caleb could have a place of rest. Caleb is
regarded as the Old Testament representation of the Church.
Get
the picture?
Is
there a message here for you?
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