SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, APRIL 8, 2018 Topic: Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly (Caleb)

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, APRIL 8, 2018

Topic: Follow the Lord Wholeheartedly  (Caleb)

Memory Verse:  Jeremiah  29:13. Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart (KJV)

LESSON TEXT: Numbers 13:1 through 14:30; Joshua 14:6-14.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Wholehearted devotion to God pleased Him.

FOCUS: To examine and emulate Caleb’s wholehearted devotion to God.

Outline:

1  1.     Trust God against All Odd

A.    Called to a task

B.     Have faith in God’s plan

2  2.     Have a Different Spirit

A.    Do Not Test the Lord

B.     The Cost of Complaining

3  3.     Wholehearted Devotion  Rewarded

A.    Be Wholehearted for the Lord

B.     Claim Your Inheritance

      Learning  Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1.     Explain the concept of wholeheartedly serving the Lord

2.     Realise the danger and negative impact of spreading a faithless report.

3.     Commit to serving the Lord wholeheartedly for the rest of their lives

                                Introducing the Lesson

   The events of our lesson take place in the low point in Isreal’s history. Yet this scene reminds us that even when things are the darkest, there are those who will shine brightly for the Lord. In this lesson, Caleb rose above pervasive attitudes of negativity and faithlessness around him to trust the Lord wholeheartedly.

    Caleb along with Joshua excelled as good examples of being wholehearted for God even when the rest of the nation was expressing an entirely opposite view. In this story we find a powerful example of trust in God that is worthy of emulation.

         

                          Commentary  and Application

1.     Trust God Against All Odds

A.    Called to a Task     Numbers 13:1-2,25-29

     The Israelites were at a critical point in their wilderness travels. The time had come to possess Canaan, the land God had promised them. Twelve men were chosen to travel through Canaan, exploring the cities, land, and people, then report back to Moses (Numbers 13:1-2).

QUESTION: Why do you think Moses specified that each of the twelve tribes send a leader to be a part of the expedition to explore the land?

     Each tribal leader would have key role in leading the nation into the land of promise. It was critical, then, that each leader affirms confidence in God. However, as this story will reveal, a call to leadership is no guarantee that the role will be properly fulfilled. As leaders, these men ought to have exhibited trust to the people. If they failed to do so, the tribes they led could be affected.

     After forty days the spies returned from spying out the land (verse 25). They had travelled through the land and would now report their findings to Moses and Aaron. Note that they brought back some of the fruit of the land, just as Moses had instructed, and showed it to the people. They acknowledged Canaan was a place of abundance, in keeping with God’s original promise to them (verses 26-27;see Exodus 3:8).

    Sadly, however, their report took a bad turn with the word “nevertheless” (Numbers 13:28,KJV; or “but”, NIV). Such terminology quickly transforms a report or idea from positive to negative.

QUESTION: Why did tone and content of the report change?

      The spies began to list the problems with Canaan (verses 28-29). The people there were great warriors, from south all the way up to and including the land between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Also, the cities were large and well fortified, and would be difficult to conquer.

      The thought of taking the land became ominous. Even the enormous cluster of grapes they brought back (see verse 23), which promised prosperity only moments earlier, now may have become something of an ominous symbol of enormous armies and impregnable cities.  There seemed to be no hope of securing this land of promise.

B.     Have Faith in God’s Plan. Numbers 13:30 through 14:9

QUESTION: Why do you think the faithless spies responded as they did?

   The faithless spies in Numbers 13:25-29 focused on obstacles rather than the promises of God. By sharing their fears the ten unbelieving spies provoked rebellion among the people (see Deuteronomy 1:19-28). Immediately Caleb spoke up to encourage the people (Numbers 13:30).

QUESTION: What does Caleb’s response tell us about his character?

   Caleb had courage to speak for God when almost everyone else cowered in fear. He also had faith to believe in the Lord’s power and promises. Caleb was in the minority. This passage of the Scripture identified only four men who trusted God’s promises: Moses, Aaron, Joshua and Caleb.

    When Caleb finished speaking the destructive report resumed ( verses 31-33). The faithless words of the other leaders demonstrate how quickly the language of doubt can distort the truth and dampen faith. It also shows the connection between unbelief and fear. Their doubt was contagious and spreading like dangerous cancer among the people.

     There was the terrible sound of weeping that night, and it gave birth to complaining. Numbers 14:1-4. Complaining betrays a lack of faith, for faith reflects confidence in God. To complain about one’s lot in life is to reject His great wisdom. The Lord promised to give them a land of great abundance, but they rebelled and expressed a desire to return to the wilderness, or even die in bondage in Egypt.

    Upon hearing of the rebellion, Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before the whole congregation(verse 5), humbly recognizing that God’s anger might be poured on the people. Similarly, Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes in mourning over the loss of faith among the people (verse 6). Godly people can be adversely affected by the faithlessness of others.

   Once again, Joshua and Caleb tried to persuade the people to trust the Lord (verses 7-9). There was no need to fear the enemies in the land because God would be with the Israelites, His people.

2.     Have a Different Spirit.

A.    Do not Test the Lord. Numbers 14:20-25

    God initially responded to the rebellion by expressing a desire to judge the faithless people, destroying  them completely (see Numbers 14:10-19). Following Moses’ intercession for Israelites, God said He would pardon them (verse 20). He also added that His glory would be made known in all the earth in spite of Israel’s abysmal failure (verse 21).

   These failures were numerous. Verses 22-23 list several areas of sin among God’s people. They had seen his Glory. He led them in the wilderness wandering with a cloud by day and fire by night. They had witnessed His miracles in the plagues upon Egypt, the parting of the Red sea, and many other divine interventions. God had provided water and food. Where His presence went His provision followed. Yet verse 23 says that the people had tempted or put God to the test on ten different occasions.

QUESTION: What does Scripture means when it says that the People put God to the test?

   Scholars note that the specific number “ten” may have been a rhetorical device used to emphasize that they had demonstrated a lack of faith numerous times. They had murmured and disobeyed. By word and by action, they conveyed a message of doubt that God would do as He promised. In this sense, they tested the patience of God, as well as His abiding willingness to forgive. Yet God had forgiven them over and over.

QUESTION: While not wiping them out, in what way would God punish His people for their rebellion?

    God had been immensely patient and forgiving toward His people. But there comes a time when persistent sin will be judged. In this case, that judgment meant that all who rebelled would not see the Promised Land (verse 23).

QUESTION: Why do you think their complaining was so sinful in God’s eyes?

   Complaining demonstrates lack of submission, gratitude, and trust in and towards the Lord. It is noteworthy that the people expressed on multiple occasion their murmuring against Moses and ultimately against God, despites His incredible intervention in delivering them from bondage (see Exodus 17:1-3).

QUESTION: What do you think Numbers 14:24 means in saying Caleb had a different Spirit?

   Because the Israelites had a dreadful history when it came to Obeying God,Caleb stood out from his fellow spies. He voiced his trust in the Lord despite being in the minority. In contrast to the caustic atmosphere of doubt that prevailed, his spirit inspired faith. As a result, Caleb was to be allowed to enter the Promised Land.

B.     The Cost of Complaining. Numbers 14:26-30.

    The Lord’s judgment will be harsh (Numbers 14:26-30). He had heard the people’s repeated complaints as He led them through the wilderness. He heard them speak nostalgically about Egypt, the land from which He had delivered them. He saw their disobedience in attempting to exploit His provision of manna according to His commands, as well as their worship of a false god ( Exodus 32:1-10; Numbers 11:4-6). They provide an important reminder: God hears our complaints. He sees our faithless acts. He is forgiving, but if we persist judgment will come.

   As punishment, God decreed that everyone age twenty and up who had complained against Him would not enter the Promised Land (verses 28-30). Their hard-hearted ways would cost them dearly. Tragically, harsh words against the Lord would prove to bring disappointment. None of them would live to enter Canaan because of their rejection of the Lord and His promises.

3.     Wholehearted Devotion Rewarded.

A.    Be Wholehearted for the Lord -   Joshua 14:6-11

    Joshua 14 moves forward four decades, to the time following the Israelites entrance into the Promised Land. Caleb had survived the wilderness years, as God promised and would receive his inheritance in the land. As we observe Caleb in verses 6-12, we note that this promise strengthened him as he endured those difficult years, as well as the period of conquest.

QUESTION: Do you think Caleb was being prideful in explaining to Joshua his faithfulness as he sought his inheritance? Explain.

       Caleb’s words reflected his consistent trust in the faithfulness of God. He knew that God honored  His promises. For over four decades he patiently waited for this glorious day when he could claim his God given inheritance. One can only imagine the joy that filled his heart in those moments. He was convinced of the steadfast faithfulness of the Lord. The other spices had cursed the heart of people to melt in fear. But he had trusted and served the Lord wholeheartedly .

   Caleb serves as a powerful example of someone who stands upon the promises of God. Genuine faith looks patiently for God’s reward. Caleb waited until his old age to receive the promise, a testimony to God’s ability and willingness to sustain His people. We must respond by depending upon Him guarding against any trace of self-reliance on our part.

QUESTION: What does verse 12 tell us about Caleb’s faith?

     There were still battles to be won in securing the promise. Yet Caleb continued to express unwavering confidence in the Lord. This demonstrated his tenacity as well as his humility. He would not rely on his own strength but upon the Lord.

QUESTION: How should we react if we find ourselves wavering in our confidence in the Lord?

      In Joshua 14, Caleb recited the promises he had known all his life. We, too, must rehearse the promises of God regularly. It is not uncommon to struggle in our faith from time to time. But when we do, we must respond appropriately. That means seeking God, recalling past blessings, and standing on His promises. As we do, we can be like Caleb in promising wholehearted devotion to God.

B.     Claim Your Inheritance – Joshua 14:12-14

Joshua 14:12-14 focuses on Caleb’s inheritance. Inheritance is an important word, occurring around four dozen times in the Book of Joshua. For the ancient Israelites, this word focused on an inheritance of land. An inheritance would be secured through the power of the Lord,even as it required faithfulness by the recipient. In  most instances, securing the inheritance also meant winning the battle through the strength and help of the Lord. For Caleb, that included defeating a powerful foe in the Anakites (verse 12). Such s victory would certainly not take place simply through the striving of an elderly man. God would bring about the inheritance.

QUESTION: In what sense do we, as Christians, have an inheritance, and how do we receive it?

    Today, under the new covenant we do not look for an inheritance of land. Rather, our inheritance (see 1peter 1:4). Such a marvellous promise awaits those who strive to live out wholehearted trust in the Lord. Such an endeavor will include challenges, battles, and even struggles of faith. But God is Faithful, and we can rest in the promise of a spiritual inheritance that will last forever.

 DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

Sometimes we might feel intimidated by great men of God like Caleb whose inspirational stories fill Scripture. Their devotion seems so strong, and so difficult to emulate.

We must remember that wholehearted devotion is just as real – and vital-for us as it was for Caleb. But it doesn’t happen simply through our own effort. Yes, it calls us to practice discipline as well as patience. But we must keep in mind that God is a work in us. As we trust in His promises and rely on His strength, we too can experience the rewards of devotion.

Examine yourself today to see which areas of your life need altering in order to better reflect devotion to God. Then seek the Lord for the strength and power necessary to follow wherever He may lead. And as you walk with Him, keep your mind fixed on His precious promises.

MINISTRY IN ACTION

Challenge students to respond to the self-examination above. Close the class session with a time of corporate prayer. Identify specific ways in which Christians can be challenged in their devotion to the Lord. Then have students pray for one another, seeking God for help and strength in serving Him no matter what the future may hold.