Links for today’s readings:
Jul 11 Read: Joshua 14-15 Listen: (7:20) Read: Ephesians 5 Listen: (3:42)
Scripture Focus: Joshua 14.6-12
6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’ 10 “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
Reflection: Minority Report Vindicated
By John Tillman
The first time Israel came to the Jordan river, they chose poorly.
Ten of the twelve spies took one look at the Anakites and fear took over. The ten reported to the camp that the size and strength of the Anakites made them feel like they were grasshoppers facing giant warriors. Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, tried to counter the fear, telling the people to trust in God. But their words were drowned out.
Fear spread through the camp.
Fear makes us forgetful. Hearing the story of the Anakites, the people forgot everything God had done for them. The plagues against Egypt were forgotten. The sea swallowing the Egyptian army was forgotten. The other battles they had won already were forgotten.
The fearful majority of Caleb’s generation overwhelmingly forgot God, yet God remembered the faithful. When Israel returned to the Jordan, Joshua and Caleb were the only remnant of their generation.
The remnant is not always a comfortable place to be. The remnant doesn’t usually win the argument, conquer in battle, or save the kingdom. That happens occasionally, but not normally.
Joshua and Caleb were outvoted and spent 40 years wandering the desert before being vindicated. Elijah, even after a great victory, had to hide in a cave. Jeremiah got thrown in a cistern. Isaiah, according to tradition, was sawn in two. Ezekiel, Daniel, Esther, and many others experienced exile, including persecutions and sufferings.
Regardless of what happens to the remnant, their words and work are important. The remnant represent a “minority report” that testifies against the fearful, the unfaithful, and the corrupt.
God is in the business of preserving faithful remnants among each generation. Are you in the remnant? Do you feel your voice is drowned out? Like no one is listening? Like everyone is responding in fear? Like you are trudging through a 40-year desert journey of someone else’s choosing?
When Caleb exited the desert, he asked to take on those Anakites directly, demonstrating that his faith was as strong as it ever had been. May God make you like Caleb, as strong when you exit the desert as when you entered.
God’s remnant is precious to him. May you be faithful, not fearful. Your testimony of faith will be vindicated. May you not turn to the left or the right. He will preserve your strength and walk with you every step.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Our God will come and will not keep silence; before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm. — Psalm 50.3
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: The Way of the Remnant
There is a pattern for the remnant that God will protect:
Out of hopelessness, faith. Out of shame, honor. Out of loss, victory.
Read more: It’s Not Over When It’s Over
Can we save falling things? Perhaps. But failing that, we can rise from destruction…endure to the end. All will fall down. We will stand up.