Secundary Heros from Old Testament

1. Lesson 2

2. The people of Israel
arrived in Cades –next to
Canaan– after more than
a year since they left
Egypt.
Moses sent 12 spies from
Cades to explore Canaan.
They returned with some
of the fruits of the
Promised Land and
prepared to give their
report before the crowd.

3. Facts:
“Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us.
It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the
people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very
large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites
dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the
Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea
and along the banks of the Jordan” (Numbers, 13: 27-29)
Interpretation WITHOUT God:
“And they gave the children of Israel a bad
report of the land which they had spied out,
saying, "The land through which we have gone
as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants,
and all the people whom we saw in it are men of
great stature. There we saw the giants (the
descendants of Anak came from the giants); and
we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and
so we were in their sight” (Numbers, 13: 32-33)
Result:
“But the men who had gone up with him said,
"We are not able to go up against the people, for
they are stronger than we."” (Numbers, 13: 31)
Interpretation WITH God:
“If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us
into this land and give it to us, a land which
flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel
against the LORD, nor fear the people of the
land, for they are our bread; their protection has
departed from them, and the LORD is with us.
Do not fear them” (Numbers, 14: 8-9)
Result:
“Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses,
and said, "Let us go up at once and take
possession, for we are well able to overcome it"”
(Numbers, 13: 30)

4. Caleb encouraged the people to
trust God. He spoke bravely and
encouraged them to go into action.
“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”
E.G.W. (Review and Herald, May 30 1912)

5. Although the people
ignored Caleb, he didn’t
neglect his duty nor
reproached them.
“Caleb was faithful and steadfast. He was not
boastful, he made no parade of his merits and
good deeds; but his influence was always on
the side of right. And what was his reward?
When the Lord denounced judgments against
the men who refused to hearken to His voice,
He said: “But My servant Caleb, because he
had another spirit with him, and hath followed
Me fully, him will I bring into the land
whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess
it.” While the cowards and murmurers
perished in the wilderness, faithful Caleb had a
home in the promised Canaan. “Them that
honor Me I will honor,” saith the Lord.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, chap. 32)

6. Caleb waited patiently for 40
years until the promises of
God were fulfilled.
When the land was divided,
Caleb was the representative
of the tribe of Judah.

7. God promised Caleb the land which he and
the other spies explored 40 years ago
(Numbers, 14: 24)
Caleb went to Joshua to claim that promise
(Joshua, 14: 6-15)
He didn’t choose the lands which were easier
to conquer, but those where the giants –who
terrified the people– lived.
If an elderly man like him (85 years) could
conquer the giant’s fortified land, it would be
an example to others, so they could win
easier conquers.

8. Caleb wanted the new generation to have its own faith
experience with God.
He encouraged them to show their faith in God’s
promises and conquer Kirjathsepher. It was one of the
best fortified and defended cities that weren’t still
conquered.
The reward for the victor one was his daughter’s hand.
“Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's brother, took
it; so Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in
marriage” (Joshua, 15: 17)
Othniel became the
first judge in Israel

9. “Experienced Workers as Counselors Tried
and aged servants of God are most
precious in His sight, and they are not to be
cast off or made to feel that they are no
longer of use in His cause. They should not
be expected to engage in active labor and
carry the heavy burdens which they once
bore; younger men should put their
shoulder to the wheel and work
disinterestedly, carrying the work strongly
and zealously forward; but, though called
to bear responsibilities, they should, with
true humility of mind, know how to value
and use the wisdom and counsel of these
more experienced ones…

10. …If they have that connection with God that they should have, they will prize
above gold and silver the advice and instruction of these worn and tried servants
of the Lord. Those who for years have labored as the chosen of God, who have
ever shown that their hearts were in the work, deserve our fullest confidence. The
Lord will certainly use these old standard-bearers, who have served Him with
heart and pen, and voice and means, if they will continue to cling fast to Him. He
is, and ever will be, with the veterans who have held fast to the truth in times of
peril. When the foundation of the faith of younger men seems to be giving way,
and their house falling, the testimony of these older warriors , like Caleb, will be
heard, “Let us go up at once, and possess it [the land]; for we are well able to
overcome it.” Numbers 13:30. When the voice of unbelief is heard, their faith will
turn the tide to a glorious victory” E.G.W. (Pacific Union Recorder, March 27 1902)

11. Caleb trusted God’s
promises, and he also
was a generous man; he
gave more than he was
asked to give.
“When she came to him, that she urged him to ask
her father for a field. And she dismounted from her
donkey, and Caleb said to her, "What do you wish?“
So she said to him, "Give me a blessing; since you have given me
land in the South, give me also springs of water." And Caleb gave
her the upper springs and the lower springs” (Judges, 1: 14-15)

12. “God blessed Caleb and Joshua. While
cowardly Israel were turned back into the
wilderness to fall into graves in the desert,
Caleb and Joshua were spared to enter into
the goodly land; for they had correctly and
nobly reported for God. Our power is not in
our talents of education or means, neither is
it in our popularity; it is in self-sacrifice, our
willing obedience to Jesus Christ. Those who
truly surrender all to him, will carry a weight
of influence, and will carry others along with
them, because they walk in the light. Brain
power will be inefficient, purse power of little
account with God; but heart power,
thorough godliness, humble fidelity, will bear
a weight of influence that will be irresistible”
E.G.W. (The Youth’s Instructor, September 6 1894)

13. ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?
DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?
APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?
PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?
TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?
ADAPT it!
Teaching Approach
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Characters of the Old Testament