“So it was, when all the men of war had finally perished…that the Lord spoke to me, saying, “This day you shall cross over…” DT 2:16
It was a ghost town. There were no tumbleweeds, no creaking, hinge-swung doors on the old saloon; and yet the mood felt every bit as eerie. As we passed these hollow homes intended to bring hope and progress to wandering hordes of “unfortunate” souls, I was struck by the Jordanian gap that exists between desert and promise. To the Chinese government, of course these Tibetan nomads would want to live in two-storey concrete homes in a community with all the services and trappings of modernity, rather than their makeshift, yak-skin yurts. Naturally they would want electricity, heating, convenience stores, hospitals, and schools for their kids, right? Wrong!
It takes more than a change of address to take up residence in our Promised Lands. As Joshua stood on the banks of the Jordan, of the millions who had escaped the oppression of the Egyptians by the Mighty Hand of God, only he and Caleb were left among those who had been twenty or above when Pharaoh’s army was swallowed by the waters of the Red Sea. God could not use those who had grown accustomed to the “right way to fight” in the Wilderness. Clearly Jericho could not taken in the conventional way. Old “weapons” would have to be laid down. Old soldiers would have to die. So what is the key that could open these gates?
A New Mind
Twelve men stood tall, shoulder to shoulder, the pride of the nation. Moses had sent these stellar, hand-picked representatives of each of Israel’s tribes to survey legendary Canaan, the land of their forefathers. Despite testifying of its richness, and tasting its grapefruit-sized grapes, ten of them shrank back in fear. Ten of them imagined themselves to be grasshoppers, besieged by an army of Goliaths. Two, however, refused to be ruled by circumstances. Joshua and Caleb exuded confidence that despite all manner of opposition, Israel could immediately take back the land which flowed with milk and honey. What was it that set these champions apart?
When Moses died, Joshua had been chosen to lead the children of Israel to take possession of the land of the Giants. Would God throw these enemies into the sea? Would He rain fire and brimstone down on them as He had done in Sodom so many years before? Would he cause confusion to come upon them so that they would fight against each other? What was the battle plan? The answer must have jarred Joshua:
“Never stop reading the Book of the Law [Moses] gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land.” Jos 1:7,8 (CEV)
For years Joshua had led the armies in conquest after conquest. His military instincts were strong; his exploits would inspire songs and bedside tales for generations. But this new battle plan for victory was not like anything he had ever done before: Joshua must renew his mind by a thorough immersion in and obedience to the Word of God. If he would only meditate on and permeate his mind with God’s law day and night, his thinking, his perspectives, his knowledge of God and His ways, would undergo such a transformation that God said no man would be able to stand before him all the days of his life. Daily feasting at the table of God’s promises meant Joshua would never see himself as a grasshopper before any man, ever. Embracing God’s ways over his ways, thinking God’s thoughts and not his own, establishing God’s righteous standards and judgments, Joshua had complete confidence these things would guarantee God’s leadership, protection, and intervention as they pressed across the Jordan River and into fortified cities and strongholds of the enemy.
A Different Spirit
The other key God revealed to Joshua in that historic riverside encounter was that he needed to be “strong and courageous”. It is never enough just to know what is the right thing to do, have the right things to say, or what is the proper way to respond. Many people have tremendous depths of understanding; they just don’t have the guts to do what they know to be right! Brilliance is a great quality, and wisdom is often gained through the crucible of tests and difficulties. But without courage its like having a jet with no fuel, a bite with no teeth, like purchasing a home and not having a penny left to buy lights, flooring, appliances, or a single piece of furniture!
Joshua’s fellow spy and friend Caleb exhibited this principle best. While the rest of the spies gave an evil report about the obstacles and dangers which barbed the way before them, Caleb had set his sights on One who was over all and had the power to not simply gain them entrance into cities, but to literally bring their walls crashing down at his feet. In contract to the others, Caleb boldly declared: “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it” (Num 13:30). Beloved, God was listening. The Lord then spoke of Caleb to Moses saying, “he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully” (Num 14:24). After personally praising Caleb, God says the “tentative ten”, the other timid tribal leaders, would die in the wilderness, while Caleb and Joshua would be given the honor of bringing the nation into the Land of Promise.
Much more could be said about these two heroes of the faith. Joshua, armed with a new mentality, perfectly followed the detailed instructions (Word) the Lord gave him to take and conquer the ominous walled city of Jericho. Caleb went on to boldly defeat the Anakim Giants who had defied and thwarted every attack for centuries until this 85 year old spirit-filled juggernaut wiped them out in one of the most impressive acts of courage ever recorded in history.
Your and my success in this life will hinge on whether or not we follow in the footsteps of these two forerunners. Will I whimpishly follow the crowds and cower before the struggles which taunt our generation? Or will I arm myself with a new mind, and a different spirit, and thereby perform exploits which bring honor and glory to the King. The mountain stronghold Caleb conquered was none other than Hebron, the future seat of the King’s throne. We too are being called to hasten the day when the King of Kings will return to sit on His rightful throne forever. To do so, we are going to need a renewed mind like that of Joshua, and a tenacious spirit like that of Caleb. Amen.