Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the LORD.
Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite and Joshua the son of Nun are set apart as faithful because they wholly followed the Lord while the others did not. Of all the men that came up out of Egypt from twenty years old and upward, they alone were to live to see the promised land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, being spared from the wilderness judgment that consumed the rest. They remained faithful to God when the generation that had done evil in His sight fell under His anger.
The verse belongs to Moses' address to the children of Gad and Reuben concerning their request to settle east of the Jordan and their promise to share in Israel's battles. He used the example to warn them not to sit idle while their brethren went to war and not to discourage Israel as their fathers did when sent from Kadesh-barnea to the valley of Eschol. The Lord's anger was kindled at that unbelief, and He made Israel wander in the wilderness forty years until the generation that had done evil in His sight was consumed. The Lord is a jealous God yet bears long with sins and transgressions.
The verse means the Lord's promises are upon condition of obedience, and if His people turn away from following Him He will leave them in the wilderness again and destroy them. The episode warns God's people not to seek ease while leaving fellow believers to carry the work and hardship alone, and those who shirk duty or cherish selfishness will be held accountable. If His people walked in His counsel, believed Him, were doers of His word, and kept His commandments, the work of God would advance and the messages of truth would be borne to all people on the face of the whole earth. Because His people are now disobedient, unthankful, and unholy as was ancient Israel, God's work is hindered, time is prolonged, and the sealing is delayed with the four winds held back until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, so that many who have not heard the truth may have a chance to hear the last message of mercy and be converted and the great work go forward.
Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite and Joshua the son of Nun are set apart as faithful because they wholly followed the Lord while the others did not. Of all the men that came up out of Egypt from twenty years old and upward, they alone were to live to see the promised land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, being spared from the wilderness judgment that consumed the rest. They remained faithful to God when the generation that had done evil in His sight fell under His anger.
The verse belongs to Moses' address to the children of Gad and Reuben concerning their request to settle east of the Jordan and their promise to share in Israel's battles. He used the example to warn them not to sit idle while their brethren went to war and not to discourage Israel as their fathers did when sent from Kadesh-barnea to the valley of Eschol. The Lord's anger was kindled at that unbelief, and He made Israel wander in the wilderness forty years until the generation that had done evil in His sight was consumed. The Lord is a jealous God yet bears long with sins and transgressions.
The verse means the Lord's promises are upon condition of obedience, and if His people turn away from following Him He will leave them in the wilderness again and destroy them. The episode warns God's people not to seek ease while leaving fellow believers to carry the work and hardship alone, and those who shirk duty or cherish selfishness will be held accountable. If His people walked in His counsel, believed Him, were doers of His word, and kept His commandments, the work of God would advance and the messages of truth would be borne to all people on the face of the whole earth. Because His people are now disobedient, unthankful, and unholy as was ancient Israel, God's work is hindered, time is prolonged, and the sealing is delayed with the four winds held back until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads, so that many who have not heard the truth may have a chance to hear the last message of mercy and be converted and the great work go forward.