L esson 8 *November 15–21
(page 64 of Standard Edition)
Giants of Faith: Joshua and
Caleb
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Num. 13:6, 30–32; Josh.
14:6–14; Luke 18:1–5; Josh. 19:49–51; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom: 12:1, 2.
Memory Text: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you
the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imi
tate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7, ESV).
E
very parent knows that their children learn by example, don’t
they? How many parents have fretted over seeing their children
follow their bad traits instead of their good ones? Whatever our
age, we find it easier to do wrong than to do right. It’s just part of what
it means to be fallen beings. “For what I will to do, that I do not prac-
tice; but what I hate, that I do” (Rom. 7:15, NKJV). Who can’t relate?
From birth, humans are shaped by the power of example. We learn to
do the most basic things in life—such as walking, talking, and express-
ing our emotions—by imitating those closest to us. As adults, we still
need role models, and even if they are not perfect, we can admire and
emulate those spiritual traits that made them giants of faith.
This week, we will take a deeper look into the personal examples of
two giants of faith in the book of Joshua: Caleb and Joshua. What is it
that made them stand out in their generation and play a key role in the
life of God’s people during one of the most crucial periods of Israel’s
history?
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 22.
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S unday November 16
(page 65 of Standard Edition)
Faithfulness
Read Numbers 13:6, 30–32 and Joshua 14:6, 14. Who was Caleb?
What was his place among the people of Israel?
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The name of Caleb comes from the Hebrew word keleb, “dog,” which
occurs in the Old Testament, always in a negative context. However,
keleb is used in extra-biblical letters and hymns to express a servant’s
courage, tenacity, and faithfulness to his or her master. In this respect,
Caleb was faithful to his name, demonstrating throughout his life
unwavering loyalty to his Lord.
What does it say about Caleb that he was willing to speak his mind
even though the majority of the spies had a completely different
opinion, and the people of Israel threatened him with death? See
Num. 14:6–10, 21–25; Num. 26:65; Num. 32:12.
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Consider these important Israelite leaders, contemporaries of Joshua
and Caleb: Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel,
Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. Do these names sound familiar?
Probably not.
Why? Because they are the names of the other ten spies sent by
Moses to explore the land of Canaan. They are forgotten because their
names were not worthy of being remembered. The report that they
brought portrayed the Promised Land as impossible to conquer. They
saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants who inhabited
some areas of the land, and their hearts melted with fear at the “impreg-
nable” walls of the fortified cities in Canaan.
Caleb, as the older of the two spies who brought a positive report,
takes the lead in presenting another possibility: the attitude of faith.
He was willing to speak up for what he knew was right, despite the
opposition, even in the face of potential death: “And all the congrega-
tion said to stone them with stones” (Num. 14:10, NKJV).
What do you do when most people around you seem to have a
different opinion, one that goes contrary to your deepest convic
tions?
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M onday November 17
(page 66 of Standard Edition)
Give Me This Hill Country
Read Joshua 14:6–14, Numbers 14:24, Numbers 32:12, Deuteronomy
1:36, and Luke 6:45. How would you describe Caleb and Joshua’s
attitude? What does it mean to follow the Lord fully?
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Caleb never forgot the promise the Lord had given him through
Moses: that he would enter the land where his feet had trodden (Num.
14:24). Forty years later, he refers to his own report on the land as a
word “as it was in my heart” (Josh. 14:7, NKJV). His report was based
on his conviction that, with God’s guidance and help, Israel would be
able to conquer the land.
In contrast to the report of the other ten spies, who inspired fear
among the Israelites, Caleb manifested a wholehearted trust and com-
mitment to the promise of the Lord. The Hebrew phrase, which liter-
ally means “I was full after the Lord” (Josh. 14:8), is probably a short
form of a longer idiom: “My heart was fully following the Lord,” or “I
filled my heart to walk behind/after the Lord.” In contrast with others
who walked after foreign gods and who did not follow the Lord fully,
Caleb’s heart was wholly dedicated to the Lord.
The same expression later is repeated twice, emphasizing Caleb’s
faithfulness (Josh. 14:9, 14). His own characterization is in harmony
with what the Lord Himself called a “different spirit” (Num. 14:24,
NKJV) that distinguished Caleb from the other ten spies. Even at
the age of 85, he continued to be an example of what the Lord can
achieve through people whose hearts are fully dedicated to Him and
His cause.
Caleb understood that the territory each tribe would eventually pos-
sess was directly proportionate to the extent to which they dared to
claim the promises of the Lord and how much land they were willing
to tread upon by faith. God’s promises are not self-fulfilling, in the
sense that they come true irrespective of our will. Rather, they require
faith accompanied by resolute action. The Hebrew term ’ulay, “maybe”
(Josh. 14:12), can express fear and doubt, but it usually denotes hope
and the anticipation that something positive will take place (Gen. 16:2;
Num. 22:6, 11; Num. 23:3).
What compromises, “small” compromises, are the kinds of things
that can keep us from fully following the Lord?
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T uesday November 18
(page 67 of Standard Edition)
The Power of Example
Read Joshua 15:16–19, Judges 1:13, and Judges 3:7–11. What does
this story tell you about the power of example? How is Caleb’s
attitude being reproduced in the younger generation?
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In this passage, Caleb offers his daughter, Achsah, in marriage to the
one who conquers Debir. Othniel captures the city and wins the hand of
Achsah. This story is important because, once again, it reveals Caleb’s
courage, faith, and readiness to take on challenges.
It also shows that the next generation of Israelites followed the
example of these giants of faith, Caleb and Joshua. As the older genera-
tion closes their ministry, there is a new generation ready to face the
challenges and continue to fulfill God’s plan for Israel.
In a way that is not unlike Caleb’s request to Joshua, “Give me this
hill country,” Achsah, encouraged by her husband, displays the same
faith and resolution that her father demonstrated. Through her determi-
nation and boldness, Achsah continues the line of Caleb’s example of
the fulfillment of the promise to possess the land.
Indeed, the land is a gift from Yahweh to Israel, but Israel must
appropriate it by claiming the promises of the Lord with faith and cour-
age. Achsah’s determination foreshadows the perseverance of those
women in the Gospels who would not be turned away by the crowd or
the disciples and would not give up until they received Jesus’ blessing
for themselves and their families.
Read Luke 18:1–5. What lesson is here for us?
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Passing on the torch of faith to the next generation is crucial to
the fulfillment of the mission God has entrusted to us. Think
about the challenges of passing on faith to the next generation,
on the one hand, and about the opportunities for young people
to assume more responsibility in the work of God, on the other.
What can we do to facilitate and train youth to assume godly
leadership? How crucial is our example in this process?
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W ednesday November 19
(page 68 of Standard Edition)
Humble Hero
The long lists of place names, which constituted landmarks on the
borders of the territories assigned to the tribes of Israel, are bookended
by the report of land allocation to the two heroes, Caleb and Joshua, of
the first reconnoiter. Caleb received his inheritance first, while Joshua
received his last. Up to this point, Joshua allocated the land to the
tribes of Israel; now it is time for the people of Israel to give Joshua
his inheritance.
Read Joshua 19:49–51. What are the implications of the fact that the
great leader of Israel who apportioned the land receives his inheri
tance last?
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The city that Joshua receives is Timnath-serah, a name composed
of two words. The first, Timnath, derives from a verb (manah) whose
meaning is to count or to assign, and it means portion or territory. The
second word can be derived from a Hebrew verb (seracḥ), and it means
excess or leftover (compare with Exod. 26:12). The name of Joshua’s
city can be translated as the leftover portion or the remaining territory.
The name of the city that Joshua has chosen from what was left testi-
fies to the noble character of Israel’s second leader. First of all, he waited
until all the people received their portion. Then, Joshua did not choose
one of the densely populated territories of the land or the most impressive
cities as his inheritance but a modest city, or perhaps the ruins of it, in
order to rebuild it with arduous work (compare with Josh. 19:50).
Moreover, Timnath-serah was located near Shiloh, in the vicinity
of the sanctuary, which shows where Joshua’s priorities lay and where
his heart was bound. Certainly, after the newly born nation of Israel
had been led into the Promised Land, and, with God’s help, secured
the inheritance of each tribe and family, it would not have objected to
Joshua’s demand for a more impressive inheritance. Yet, Joshua was
content to live a simple life with a focus on what is most important,
thus embodying the prayer expressed later by David: “One thing I have
desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of
the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and
to inquire in His temple” (Ps. 27:4, NKJV).
What lessons can you draw for yourself regarding Joshua’s
attitude? How might you apply it to yourself now?
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T hursday November 20
(page 69 of Standard Edition)
Changed by Contemplation
Contemplating the life example of great heroes of faith is
essential for our spiritual growth. At the same time, our ultimate
example is Jesus Christ—His life and teachings. How does focusing
on the life of Jesus change us? See Heb. 12:1, 2; 2 Cor. 3:18.
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Marco Iacoboni, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Los
Angeles, researched the function of mirror neurons. These small cell
circuits are activated both when we perform a certain action—such as
laughing or embracing someone—and when we observe someone else
performing the same action. The activity of these neurons reduces the
distinction between seeing and doing.
Ellen G. White speaks about the importance of beholding the charac-
ter of Jesus: “Looking unto Jesus we obtain brighter and more distinct
views of God, and by beholding we become changed. Goodness, love
for our fellow men, becomes our natural instinct. We develop a charac-
ter which is the counterpart of the divine character. Growing into His
likeness, we enlarge our capacity for knowing God. More and more we
enter into fellowship with the heavenly world, and we have continually
increasing power to receive the riches of the knowledge and wisdom of
eternity.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 355.
Read Romans 12:1, 2. What two processes work for conflicting pur
poses in our lives? How can we be sure that we give room to the
right one?
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In the summary chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, the apostle
Paul speaks about two antagonistic forces trying to shape our lives. On
the one hand, the surrounding world, with its various influences, tries
to force us daily into its own mold, effecting a conformation in us that
works from the outside in.
To counteract this impact, the Holy Spirit is able to transform us
inside out in a manner similar to the way a caterpillar metamorphoses
into a beautiful butterfly. But for that process to happen, we need to
consecrate ourselves to God and ask Him to continue the good work
that He has started in us (Phil. 1:6). In the end, we have to make the
conscious choice, moment by moment, to walk in the Spirit.
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F riday November 21
(page 70 of Standard Edition)
Further Thought: “Caleb’s faith now was just what it was when
his testimony had contradicted the evil report of the spies. He had
believed God’s promise that He would put His people in possession
of Canaan, and in this he had followed the Lord fully. He had endured
with his people the long wandering in the wilderness, thus sharing the
disappointments and burdens of the guilty; yet he made no complaint
of this, but exalted the mercy of God that had preserved him in the
wilderness when his brethren were cut off. Amid all the hardships,
perils, and plagues of the desert wanderings, and during the years of
warfare since entering Canaan, the Lord had preserved him; and now at
upwards of fourscore his vigor was unabated. He did not ask for him-
self a land already conquered, but the place which above all others the
spies had thought it impossible to subdue. By the help of God he would
wrest his stronghold from the very giants whose power had staggered
the faith of Israel. It was no desire for honor or aggrandizement that
prompted Caleb’s request. The brave old warrior was desirous of giving
to the people an example that would honor God, and encourage the
tribes fully to subdue the land which their fathers had deemed uncon
querable.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 512, 513.
“It was Caleb's faith in God that gave him courage, that kept him
from the fear of man, and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly
in the defense of the right. Through reliance on the same power, the
mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross
may receive strength and courage to overcome the obstacles that seem
insurmountable.”—Ellen G. White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,
May 30, 1912.
Discussion Questions:
Ê Discuss the power of peer pressure and the courage it takes to
speak up when others do not. What is the role of courage in prac
ticing our faith? How can we avoid being rude while standing for
what we believe is right?
Ë Share in your class some examples of faith from your church
or community that shaped your life and character. What are the
traits of these people that are worth following?
Ì Think about and discuss the influence media has on our lives.
How can we avoid its negative effect while harnessing its potential
for good purposes?
Í Reflect more on the humility of Joshua as a leader and his
desire to live close to the sanctuary. In what ways does his example
speak to you?
104
i n s i d e
Story
Accidental Missionary
Kim Sun couldn’t believe that the man slammed the door in his face.
The 19-year-old student from South Korea was going door-to-door to
invite people to evangelistic meetings in the Philippines. Many people
responded kindly when he and his friends knocked. But at this particular
house, the 25-year-old man reacted rudely to the visitors. He didn’t reply
when one asked if they could enter to visit. He just slammed the door shut.
Sun felt embarrassed and upset. The other students, however, weren’t
bothered. Sun couldn’t understand why. He suggested that they return the
next day. It was Monday, and the evangelistic meetings ran through Sabbath.
On Tuesday, the students knocked on the door again. The same man came
to the door and immediately recognized the visitors. He looked ashamed and
invited them in. “I’m sorry that I closed the door yesterday,” he said.
The students spoke about the love of Jesus and invited him to the meet-
ings. They met with him again on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. On
Saturday, the man decided to give his heart to Jesus in baptism.
“I love Jesus Christ,” he said. “I want to live a new life.”
Sun was amazed. As he watched the baptism, he thought, This man has
changed so much. He is a completely different person compared to Monday.
Is it possible for someone to change so much?
Sun was an accidental missionary. He didn’t come to the Philippines to
seek baptisms. He had been living his own life in South Korea when his
parents had intervened. They sent him to the Philippines to learn English
and to become a nurse, and then they wanted him to work in the United
States.
Arriving at his parents’ chosen school, the Adventist University of the
Philippines, Sun was surprised to see that his classmates went to church
on Saturday. He had thought that all Christians worshiped on Sunday. But
he was required to go to church, so he attended a Korean-speaking church
on campus. Young people from the church organized evangelistic meetings
with the 1000 Missionary Movement, an organization that is part of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Southern Asia-Pacific Division. Sun didn’t
speak much English, and he didn’t know much about
the Bible. But he joined the students in going door-
to-door to invite people to the meetings. In seeking
after the man who had slammed the door, he became
an accidental missionary.
Kim Sun is associate director of the 1000 Missionary
Movement, whose headquarters in Silang, Philippines, were
constructed with the help of a 1996 Thirteenth Sabbath
Offering. Read more next week.
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at AdventistMission.org. 105
