Spirit Filled Articles
Are You Following The Multitude Against God?
Caleb in his own words said "Let us go at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" - Numbers 13:30.
The Bible says: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:" - Exodus 23:2.
EXPLORATION
Caleb was the son of Jephunneh and a Kenezite (Numbers 13:6). He was first mentioned in the Bible as one of the spies Moses sent to Canaan to verify the condition of the land which the Lord had promised the Israelites and bring back a report. Out of these twelve men, only Caleb and Joshua brought an encouraging report of faith to Moses and the people of Israel. Caleb in his own words said "Let us go at once and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" - Numbers 13:30.
INSPIRATION
At the time Caleb was sent with the other eleven elders to spy the land of Canaan, he was forty years old. (Joshua 14:6-7). He must have been a warrior before then. (Exodus 17:8-9). He was not only likely to be a warrior, but a man of faith who followed God with all his heart. In worldly affairs, it is often said that majority carries the vote. But in spiritual matters it's not usually so because God does not think the way man thinks and his ways are not man's ways. (Isaiah 55:8).
On arrival from spying the land of Canaan, only Caleb and Joshua reported that the Lord was able to give them the good land he had promised. But the other ten elders fell into unbelief with an evil report.
They said "The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in there are men of great stature ..." - Numbers. 13:32.
The question one would ask is that if the land ate up the inhabitants how were they able to return alive? Ten men out of twelve disbelieved the power of God to secure the land for them.
Ten men out of twelve by common sense is a good majority. The temptation to follow the majority in a case like this was obvious. But when a person loves the truth and godliness, he will stand for the truth without minding the greater number that stand for the wrong thing. This was the case of Caleb. He refused to join the majority to do evil.
The Bible says: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:" - Exodus 23:2.
Beloved! As a child of God you should not also join the multitude to do the wrong things. Such as is common among many. Fashion that reveal nakedness, illegal business, unfaithfulness in marriage, disobeying constituted authority, defamation of other people, defrauding an organization, lying in order to cheat parents, bearing false witness, to name a few.
When we follow God with all our heart despite the negative attitude of others, God himself will reward our steadfast faithfulness.
God said: "Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land where into he went; and his seed shall possess it." -Numbers 14:22-24
God promised Caleb a portion of land through Moses as a reward for his faithfulness when he was forty years old. Right from then Caleb fixed his mind on it without doubting. Forty - five years later, long after the promise was made and Israel had entered the land of promise, Caleb rightfully demanded to have the land which God had promised him. Even though he had to fight more battles to be able to possess what God has promised, he did not give up. His old age of eighty-five years or any other circumstance around him could not hinder his faith and determination to possess God's gift to him. Old man Caleb fought gallantly and drove out the Anakims from Hebron. (Joshua 14:6-15) The next place to be captured was Dabir (Kirjath-sepher) which was strong and hard to conquer. But Caleb will not leave whatever God had said belonged to him with the enemy. So, he provided an incentive to anyone who was prepared to fight and capture his land from the enemy. (Joshua 15:15-19). That land was also secured.
This week! As a child of God you must never stagger at the promise of God. Think of the promise God made to you either by his written or revealed word. Be rest assured that it will certainly come pass, no matter what your present circumstances may be. Forty-five years Caleb still held on to the promise of God. He demanded and got what God said belonged to him.
The Bible says: "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." -Hebrews 10:39
Remember the Bible also says: "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9
You are blessed, we love you!
Pastor Wales Goriola
Bliss & Fire Network Team ©2010
Testimonies
As the Lord has put you into His ministry and you have joyfully accepted to do the assignment according to His purpose, I pray for your spiritual life to continually increase and enlarge to always stand and shine forth in His realms of glory. Congratulations on the success of our just concluded Christian Expo in London. More life and grace to keep the flag flying high. -Apostle John Gbenga Afolayan (Lagos, Nigeria)