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Word from Nairnshire
by Sandy Shaw
Most names have significant meaning.
Caleb was one of the twelve Israeli leaders sent by Moses to spy out the Promised Land. In the Hebrew, Caleb means dog.
Throughout the Middle East dogs are not highly esteemed. People throw stones at them.
Caleb and Joshua and ten others spied out the land. Moses wanted to know if the people were strong or weak, and if the cities were fortified or unwalled.
The twelve returned and ten brought a negative report, although they carried back a huge cluster of grapes on a pole, which remains the symbol of the Israeli Tourist Board today.
“We will never take that land. The people are huge. We were like grasshoppers in comparison.”
Caleb silenced the protesting crowd, but they continued complaining.
God replied in a most solemn tone. They had spoken negative words, and received judgement.
They settled their destiny by their words. When they said, we cannot take the land, God cut them off.
It was not the Golden Calf for which they were punished, but because they despised God’s Grace.
When God forgives our sins He does not necessarily cancel the consequences.
Caleb had a different spirit and wholly followed the Lord.
Because of Caleb’s loyalty and faithfulness God gave Caleb the disputed city of Hebron. The ownership of Hebron was settled 3,400 years ago!
Could Caleb be a pattern?
A dog likes to be near its master, and will move to lie at your feet. If you move the dog is likely to move. It is willing to go wherever you go, with no questions asked.
Caleb was going to be faithful and loyal for 40 years.
Dogged means hanging on in there, determined and tenacious.
Caleb had dogged faith and courage. He knew how to hang on.
Sandy Shaw
Nairn Christian Fellowship
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Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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