------------------------------------------------------------------ Joshua E-Mail Bible Study ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lesson 6 - Joshua 14:6-15; 15:13-19 GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN Caleb's fortress-taking faith ------------------------------------------------------------------ We've looked at Joshua's faith, and Rahab's. We have one more hero of faith to examine: Caleb. We'll need to turn the clock back about 40 years to see his faith as a Judean warrior before we see him as a vigorous old man. I'm sorry to get the questions to you so late, so take longer on the first questions. MONDAY, TUESDAY, & WEDNESDAY, November 9-11 ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 1: OBSERVATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT SAY? ------------------------------------------------------------------ Read Numbers 13 and 14, looking especially to examine Caleb's character. 1.1 (13:26-33) How do the 10 spies describe the inhabitants of Canaan? How do they describe the land? Why do you think they did that? 1.2 (13:26-33 and 14:7-9). How do Joshua and Caleb describe the land and the people? In what ways does their description differ from the "majority report"? Why? 1.3 (14: 24) How does God view Caleb? What promises does he make to Joshua and Caleb? See also Deuteronomy 1:36. THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, November 12-13 ----------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 2: INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES THE TEXT MEAN? ------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMENT: In the Book of Joshua we see several different accounts of that taking of Hebron. 10:5-27 King of Hebron joins an Amorite confederation with 4 other kings to destroy the Israelites. The king is captured and many in his army are killed, though some escape. 10:36-37 Joshua's army attacks Hebron and surrounding villages, and kills its inhabitants. 10:38-39 Likewise Debir. 11:21-22 Joshua destroys the Anakites from Hebron and Debir and the hill country, only a few flee to the Philistines. 14:6-15 Caleb drives out the Anakites from the hill country around Hebron and inherits the city. 15:14-17 Caleb's future son-in-law captures Debir. 2.1 EXTRA CREDIT. Could any of these events have happened simultaneously, or must they have happened in order of telling? How could both Joshua AND Caleb get the credit for driving out the Anakites? And who were these famous Anakites anyway? 2.2 (14:6-12) Caleb recites to Joshua God's personal promise to him from Deuteronomy 1:36 that he would have the land his feet had walked on forty years before. Caleb had walked the land of Canaan from south to north. Why do you think he chose Hebron as his home? MONDAY AND TUESDAY, November 16-17 ---------------------------------- 2.3 (14:6-12) Caleb seems like he's bragging here. Are these the words of an over-the-hill warrior? Why is his bragging included in the Scripture. What does this say about him? What is the fine line between bragging and bold faith? 2.4 (15:14) Why do you think the names of the Anakites are given? How many were there? What does this tell us? 2.5 (15:18-19) Acsah, Caleb's daughter, seems a little pushy. Is this faith or presumption? Why do you think so? What are the points of comparison between father and daughter? WEDNESDAY, November 18 ---------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------ LEVEL 3: APPLICATION QUESTIONS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME? ------------------------------------------------------------------ 3.1 What does it mean in your own personal situation "to follow the Lord your God wholeheartedly"? 3.2 Is there a promise God has made you long ago of which you still are looking forward to a fulfillment? THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, November 19-20 ----------------------------------- 3.3 If faith is resting on the promises of God and letting God do the work, why does Caleb seem so eager to do God's work for him? (14:12). What is the proper balance between personal ambition and aggressiveness, and trusting faith? Between activity and passivity? How do we define faith from looking at Caleb's example? What do we learn about faith from Caleb? ------------------------------------------------------------------ Copyright 1998, Ralph F. Wilson, all rights reserved. Joyful Heart is a trademark of Joyful Heart Ministries. For reprint permission contact pastor@joyfulheart.com