A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Joshua and Caleb: Part 8 of 13

Preview: Faith heroes. This is the eighth lesson in a thirteen-part series of lessons on this subject.


Scripture Reading: Numbers 13:1-3, Numbers 13:6, Numbers 13:16-21.

Memory Verse: Numbers 13:25.

1. Why, according to the foregoing Scripture Reading and Memory Verse, were these twelve spies (including Joshua and Caleb) sent into the land of Canaan? How long were they there?
2. What was the positive report that they brought back? Numbers 13:23-24, Numbers 13:26-27.
3. What was the negative report that they brought? Numbers 13:28-33.
4. What report did Joshua and Caleb bring to the people? Numbers 13:30, Numbers 14:6-9.
5. Did they convince the people? Why or why not? Numbers 14:1-4, Numbers 14:10.
Note: All their lives these people had heard the story of how they were to inherit this land through Jehovah’s promise to Abraham. They had seen how God had delivered them from Egypt’s bondage, and brought them through the Red Sea on dry land. Now they could not see the beauty of their land or believe that He was able to do what He had promised, because they looked at their circumstances with fear instead of to God with faith. What do you fear today?
6. What punishment did these foolish, faithless people bring upon themselves? Numbers 14:11, Numbers 14:22-33.
Note: Numbers 21:4-5 tells us that they did not accept responsibility for their lack of faith, but blamed Moses because they could not get out of the wilderness and blamed God because they were tired of the way He fed them. Do you realize that we were born lost in a wilderness of sin, and there is no way out except faith in God’s promise to rescue us through Jesus Christ? We must prove this faith by recognizing that we are lost, accepting responsibility for our actions, and seeking God’s forgiveness. Then He accepts us as heirs with Abraham. Galatians 3:26-27, Galatians 3:29.
7. What warning did Paul give us about our unbelief? Hebrews 3:7-19.
Note: If you do not feel secure about your own salvation, it could be because you do not believe that God is able to do what He promised.
8. Why did God appoint Joshua to become Moses’ successor? Numbers 27:15-20, Numbers 27:22-23.
9. What was faithful Caleb’s testimony and reward? Joshua 14:6-15.
10. How did God bless the faithfulness of Joshua? Joshua 9:1-2, Joshua 10:1-2, Joshua 10:5-15.
Note: One short lesson cannot fathom the depths of the living testimony of these two great men of God. May it cause us to examine our own lives and see whom we have believed and trusted. I urge you to prayerfully study the book of Joshua. Look for yourself in these Scriptures. Will your name appear in the hall of faith? “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” I John 2:17.

To Be Continued…

Other Lessons* in this series:

A Great Cloud of Witnesses: Part 1 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Abel Enoch Noah: Part 2 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Abraham: Part 3 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Isaac: Part 4 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Jacob: Part 5 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Joseph: Part 6 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Moses: Part 7 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Joshua and Caleb: Part 8 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Rahab: Part 9 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Deborah and Barak: Part 10 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Gideon: Part 11 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Jephthah: Part 12 of 13
A Great Cloud of Witnesses - Our Place: Part 13 of 13

*Lessons in a series may not necessarily be in the same category.