April 10, 2016
Sidekicks of the Bible
Caleb (Joshua)
Today we are in week 3 of our sermon series called “Sidekicks of the Bible” where we’ll be looking at the supporting characters of the Bible. When you tell a story there is always a main character that you connect with, but often there is a sidekick that does great things also.
There is often a sense of thinking the main character is important and the secondary character is just filler, but without the secondary character, the main character can’t do what he/she was called to do.
When you look at the “main characters” in the Bible, most people know about Jesus, Moses, David, Joshua, and Paul, but not a lot is talked about with their “sidekicks.”
Joshua
Joshua was Moses' successor. A great leader, a valiant warrior, and he trusted God wholeheartedly. He stood up in front of the Israelites and called them back to God continually. Most famous for the battle of Jericho where he trusted God with an unusual plan to take down a fortified city.
Caleb
Caleb was Joshua's best friend. God said of Caleb that "he had a different spirit and followed me wholeheartedly" (Numbers 14:24). He was a faithful man of God who trusted God's promises even when others did not.
So what makes Caleb such a good sidekick?
1. Caleb was a Faithful Leader
Numbers 13:1-25
Caleb was chosen by God as one of twelve leaders from the tribes of Israel.
Numbers 13:2
"Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders."
These men were chosen for living faithfully; consider the requirements for leadership from Paul (1 Timothy 3).
2. Caleb Trusted God’s Faithfulness
Numbers 13:27-29
"We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
This then incites the crowd, and who is the one to calm them? Not Joshua, instead it is Caleb
Numbers 13:30
"We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
Caleb knew that God always without question keeps his promises.
Deuteronomy 31
Caleb recognized that God had chosen Joshua and instead of revolting (which he could have done), he chose to humble himself, and submit to his leadership.
3. Caleb was a Faithful Friend
Throughout the years, Joshua leads but Caleb is faithfully by his side
Joshua and Caleb’s Last Declaration
Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
The two warriors who once stood up for their God in their belief of his promise, do so one last time. Together.
Communication Card
- I will be humble and support the calling of God on other people's lives.
- I will be faithful to what God has called me to do and not compare myself to others.
