LESSONS OF FAITH FROM JOSHUA
Lesson 8 : Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb
8.2 Give Me This Hill Country
Wholehearted for the Lord – Caleb’s Uncompromising Faith
Introduction
Some people in old age rest on their past. Caleb didn’t. While others settled down, he asked:
“Give me this mountain.”
A bold statement. Not a wish for comfort, but a decision of faith.
This lesson leads us to a man who, after 45 years of waiting, was still burning for God’s promise. Caleb reminds us that spiritual vitality is not about age but about a heart that fully belongs to God.
And today, we’re faced with the same question:
Which of God’s promises do we take seriously enough to claim—despite obstacles?
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Bible Study – Caleb’s Attitude: Wholehearted Faith
Caleb was not one of the main figures like Moses or Joshua. Yet his name is associated with something increasingly rare: complete faithfulness.
1. A Deep Conviction of the Heart
In Joshua 14:6–14, Caleb reminds Joshua of what God had promised him 45 years earlier. As a spy, he gave a report “according to what was in my heart” – suggesting that his judgment was not tactical but based on faith.
In a moment of collective fear, Caleb stood on the side of the promise. Not because he ignored the giants, but because he knew the God who was greater than any giant.
2. “A Different Spirit”
In Numbers 14:24, God calls Caleb a man with “a different spirit.” He was different because he refused to compromise. While others were swayed by the majority, Caleb “followed the Lord fully.”
The Hebrew wording literally means: “He filled his heart with following the Lord.”
Not half-hearted. Not occasional. Wholehearted.
3. A Faith That Waits – But Never Stops
In Joshua 14:10–12, Caleb is now 85 years old. Yet he speaks with youthful strength and visionary faith. His focus is not on the past, but on the future – and on the most difficult area, the hill country with Anakim strongholds. Why?
Because Caleb knew: The size of the challenge reveals the greatness of God.
He asked for the mountain because he believed God for something great.
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Answering the Questions
Question 1: How would you describe the mindset of Caleb and Joshua? What does it mean to follow the Lord fully?
Caleb and Joshua’s mindset was marked by radical faithfulness.
They didn’t focus on the fear of the crowd, but on the faithfulness of God.
Caleb “followed the Lord fully”—which means:
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Without a divided heart
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Without conditions
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Without retreating in the face of resistance
To follow the Lord fully means:
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Not only on Sundays or when it’s easy
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But with all your soul, even against the current
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Even when years pass without the promise being fulfilled
Question 2: What “small” compromises keep us from fully following God?
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Time pressure: “I’ll pray later.”
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Conformity: “Everyone does it this way.”
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Comfort: “I don’t want to take risks.”
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Distraction: “I just don’t have capacity for spiritual things right now.”
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Compromise with truth: “It’s not that bad…”
These seemingly small decisions add up – and slowly lead us off the path of faithfulness.
Caleb shows us: To follow God fully, we must be consistent in the little things.
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Spiritual Principles
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Faithfulness is not measured by volume but by perseverance.
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Age is no excuse – spiritual passion has no expiration date.
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God’s promises do not fulfill themselves automatically – they require faith, endurance, and action.
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It’s not pride to ask for great things – when it’s for God’s purposes.
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Everyday Application
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Pray daily: “Lord, what ‘mountain’ do You want to show me today?”
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Examine your heart: Are there compromises holding you back from fully following?
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Don’t wait passively: Faith also means taking steps before seeing everything clearly.
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Remember Caleb when you get weary: Faithfulness is worth it – even after many years.
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Conclusion
Caleb wasn’t loud, but he was steadfast.
Not prominent, but faithful.
Not perfect, but fully devoted.
He shows us what happens when a heart doesn’t forget what God said – and dares to live by it.
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Thought of the Day
“God honors those who trust Him – even if they have to wait 45 years.”
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Illustration
“The Promise in the Attic”
A story about faithfulness, courage, and waiting on God’s Word – in the 21st century
Chapter 1 – The Letter
While cleaning out her grandmother’s attic, Miriam discovered a dusty box.
Inside was a yellowed envelope with the words:
“For the day you wonder if it’s worth staying faithful.”
Curious, she opened it.
A handwritten letter. No signature. Just initials.
But the words struck deep:
“If you’re reading this, you may be tired.
Tired of waiting. Tired of fighting. Tired of staying faithful.
But I tell you:
It’s worth it.
Hold on to the promise.
Even if it delays.”
Miriam didn’t know what promise the letter referred to.
But something in her heart said: This letter is for now.
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Chapter 2 – The Decision
Miriam was 42, a single mother, working in school administration.
She had once studied theology, wanted to serve God, make a difference – but life took a different turn.
The letter wouldn’t let her go.
It reminded her of a calling she had long buried:
She wanted to work with disadvantaged children.
But “the right moment” had never come.
Now she stood before a decision:
Safety – or obedience.
Stay employed – or start the small project she had promised God years ago.
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Chapter 3 – The “Mountain”
She named it “Project Hebron” – an after-school program for children with migration backgrounds in a neighborhood many avoided.
No budget. No team. Just a vision – and trust.
Miriam knew:
This was her “mountain.”
A place with giants. Challenges. Doubts.
But she remembered Caleb.
And she prayed:
“Lord, give me this mountain.”
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Chapter 4 – The Fruit
The first months were tough.
Setbacks, applications, criticism.
But little by little, something began to grow.
Children laughed. Learned. Were seen.
Some asked about God.
One boy, Amir, said after six months:
“This is my safe place. I think God sent you.”
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Chapter 5 – Back to the Attic
A year later, on a rainy Sunday, Miriam returned to the attic.
She looked for the letter. On the back, in tiny handwriting, was a Psalm:
“Those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” (Ps. 37:9)
She smiled.
Not because everything was easy.
But because she knew:
She had stepped onto her mountain.
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Lesson from the Story
Some of God’s promises are waiting for people to claim them by faith.
Not because God is hesitating –
But because faith requires steps.
Miriam – like Caleb – shows:
Faithfulness has power. Even after many years.
Even with fear.
Even when you’re alone.
