Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Common knowledge about Caleb

a) He was one of Twelve Spies

b) He was allied with Joshua closely

c) Together they served the Lord faithfully

2. Less common knowledge about Caleb

a) He was from the tribe of Judah    (Numbers 13:6)

b) He was called Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite    (Joshua 14:6b)

c) Why was he called “the Kenizzite?” (Kenezite)

ANCIENT TRIBES

Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the LORD said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.

Joshua 14:6

18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying:
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—

19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites,

20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,

21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

Genesis 15:18-21

1. The Kenizzites

a) They were one of ten nations in the land of Canaan

b) This was an ancient nomadic tribe

2. Kenaz was an ancestor of Caleb

a) Esau was the grandfather

b) Eliphaz was one of his sons

c) Kenaz was the son of Eliphaz

d) He was a grandson of Esau    (Genesis 36:9-11)

e) The Kenizzites came from the line of Esau

3. Caleb the Kenizzite

a) He was not a “pure” Judahite

b) He became integrated into Judah

c) He became an outstanding leader despite being related to Esau’s bloodline

A CONVERSATION WITH JOSHUA

7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart.

8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’

Joshua 14:7-9

1. A significant Testimony

a) Caleb remembered when Moses called and commissioned him as a spy

He was 40 years old then

b) He brought back word to Moses faithfully with Joshua

c) He spoke fervently, encouraging Israel to enter into Canaan

2. Remembering the rebellion

a) The negative influence of the 10 spies

b) They caused the heart of the children of Israel to melt

3. Remembering the steadfastness of spirit

a) Caleb had indeed wholly followed the Lord

b) The things that were distinctly Caleb’s

i) His faith

ii) His following the Lord

iii) His faithfulness

4. Remembering the words of Moses

a) Caleb would have an inheritance in the land

b) His inheritance would be passed down to his descendants

c) Caleb was fully accepted and integrated as from Judah though he was a Kenizzite

5. The Division of the Land

a) Joshua was the successor of Moses

b) He was in charge of the allotment of Land in Canaan

c) Caleb presented to Joshua what Moses had said to him

d) The words of Moses were remembered very clearly though 45 years had passed

HOW DID CALEB BECOME SO SUCCESSFUL?

1. He had not allowed his background to hinder him

2. He had found faith in the Lord

3. He determined that he would be a faithful servant of the Lord

4. He cultivated strong features in his life:

a) Faith and faithfulness

b) Courage and obedience

c) Steadfastness of spirit

d) Total commitment

CONCLUSION

1. To cultivate our faith

2. To determine to strengthen our spirit

3. To wholly follow the Lord