Caleb The Giant Killer Joshua 14:6-15

Introduction Background –One of two faithful spies (Numbers 13, 14) –Lived in the shadow of Joshua

Introduction Know little about him –P–Promised a place in Canaan (Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36) –R–Received it at age 85 after 45 years

Popular Opinion Not The Standard He and Joshua only faithful spies –Maligned and threatened (Numbers 14:4-10) –Virtually disapproved of by all –Spoke the truth in spite of “low poll numbers”

Popular Opinion Not The Standard Never a gauge of right and wrong –T–Told that “adultery” is a private matter –G–God has a law (John 12:48; Acts 17:30, 31) –D–Demanded the death of Christ (Matthew 27:17-24)

Doing What Is Right Vindicates Caleb said and did what is right –Probably would have died had God not intervened –This act of God saved his life (Numbers 14:7-10)

Doing What Is Right Vindicates He trusted in God –Demanded his land at age 85 –Now everyone knew he was right –Jesus never wavered (Hebrews 5:8, 9) –Solution is to trust (1 Peter 2:21-23) –Don’t give up when criticism comes

Don’t Quit Working Due To Age Remember he was 85 years old –Not in a time period when men lived hundreds of years –May not have been much different than today –Claimed the strength of his youth (Joshua 14:10, 11)

Don’t Quit Working Due To Age Don’t quit working in the church –Not like old cars put in a junkyard –Be willing to be worn out (2 Corinthians 12:15) –Some things require older people (Titus 1:5-9; 2:3-5) –Song: “There is much to do …”

Easy Task Not Always The Best At age 85, could have settled down –Opted for the “easy life” –Caleb chose to conquer the land of the giants (Numbers 13:32, 33)

Easy Task Not Always The Best Caleb took on the hard task –Would rely on God (Joshua 14:12-15) –Always plenty of people to take the easy jobs –Tough jobs of reproving and rebuking go unfilled (2 Timothy 4:2) –Teaching left for a few (James 3:1)

Conclusion Caleb wanted to serve at all cost Need to imitate him