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28 lines
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<h2>44. CALEB, OR WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS</h2>
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<p>Seven times we are told that Caleb wholly followed the Lord, or more correctly, the term "<i>wholly</i>" is found in association with Caleb seven times. Once the same Hebrew word is rendered "<i>fully</i>" (<a id="fem44-si1" onclick="return mV('Num',14,24);">Num 14:24</a>).</p>
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<p>It is of interest to know that the word "<i>wholly</i>" is the same as is rendered "<i>consecrate</i>" in the setting apart of Aaron and his sons for the priesthood (<a id="fem44-si2" onclick="return mV('Exd',28,41);">Exd 28:41</a>; <a id="fem44-si3" onclick="return mV('Exd',29,9);">Exd 29:9</a>). The word means, to be full, and is again and again translated "<i>full</i>" in the Psalms (<a id="fem44-si4" onclick="return mV('Psa',33,5);">Psa 33:5</a>; <a id="fem44-si5" onclick="return mV('Psa',65,9);">Psa 65:9</a>; <a id="fem44-si6" onclick="return mV('Psa',104,24);">Psa 104:24</a>; <a id="fem44-si7" onclick="return mV('Psa',119,64);">Psa 119:64</a>).</p>
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<p>The <b>essential</b> to wholly following the Lord. In <a id="fem44-si8" onclick="return mV('Deu',1,36);">Deu 1:36</a>, we read that Caleb "wholly followed the Lord," or, as the margin gives it, "fulfilled to go after the Lord." The words seem to indicate his willingness to follow the Lord. The main thing in consecration is, that the will is adjusted to the will of God, as the clock is adjusted to the sun for correctness of time. Christ says, "if any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching, whether it be of God" (<a id="fem44-si9" onclick="return mV('Jhn',7,17);">Jhn 7:17</a>, R.V.). If the will is right the walk will be right too, for what the regulator is to the watch, so the will is to the life.</p>
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<p>The <b>meaning</b> of wholly following the Lord. In <a id="fem44-si10" onclick="return mV('Num',14,24);">Num 14:24</a>, the Lord says, Caleb…followed me fully," or as Young translates the words, "he is fully after Me." To be fully after the Lord signifies that we are so close to Him that there is not anything between Him and us, and that we seek to act like Him in all things, in that we carry out His word in every particular.</p>
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<p>Caleb is seen in <b>contrast</b> to those who did not wholly follow the Lord (<a id="fem44-si11" onclick="return mV('Num',32,11);">Num 32:11</a>). One reason why Christ was hated, was because the holy light of His pure life showed up the unholy lives of His enemies, and made them to stand out in unmistakable contrast. When our lives are like the beautiful rainbow, it will cause those who are like the dark cloud to be seen in vivid contrast.</p>
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<p>The Lord delights to commend the <b>thoroughness</b> of wholeheartedness. <a id="fem44-si12" onclick="return mV('Num',32,12);">Num 32:12</a>, is one of the many places where Caleb is commended for wholly following the Lord. God delights in all men with the <i>love of compassion</i> (<a id="fem44-si13" onclick="return mV('Jhn',3,16);">Jhn 3:16</a>), but it is only those whose hearts and lives are right with Him that He can delight in with the <i>love of complacency</i> (<a id="fem44-si14" onclick="return mV('Col',1,10);">Col 1:10</a>). He ever delights to commend what He can. The widow's mite (<a id="fem44-si15" onclick="return mV('Luk',31,3);">Luk 31:3</a>); the cup of cold water (<a id="fem44-si16" onclick="return mV('Mar',9,41);">Mar 9:41</a>); the Samaritan's kindness (<a id="fem44-si17" onclick="return mV('Luk',10,37);">Luk 10:37</a>); the pot of ointment (<a id="fem44-si18" onclick="return mV('Jhn',12,7);">Jhn 12:7</a>); the woman's tears (<a id="fem44-si19" onclick="return mV('Luk',7,44);">Luk 7:44</a>); the faith of the Thessalonians (<a id="fem44-si20" onclick="return mV('1Th',1,8);">1Th 1:8</a>); and the seven traits of character in the Ephesian saints (<a id="fem44-si21" onclick="return mV('Rev',2,2,3);">Rev 2:2-3</a>), are a few things He commends.</p>
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<p>The <b>courage</b> of whole-heartedness (<a id="fem44-si22" onclick="return mV('Jos',14,8);">Jos 14:8</a>). As Caleb says, the rest of those, excepting Joshua, who went to spy the land, were entirely over-awed by what they saw, but not so Caleb. He knew the Lord, and was fully confident of His ability to give the entire victory. Faith reckons not on outward appearances, but looks at matters through the telescope of God's truth. Faint heart, want of courage, and unbelief are sure to see the lions in the way, as Timorous and Mistrust in <i>Pilgrim's Progress</i> did, but they do not see, as Christian did, that the lions are chained.</p>
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<p>The <b>possession</b> of whole-heartedness (<a id="fem44-si23" onclick="return mV('Jos',14,9);">Jos 14:9</a>). Caleb had been promised that he should see the land of Canaan, and now he claims the fulfilment of the inheritance that had been promised him. We are not promised an earthly inheritance as a reward of faith, but we have an incorruptible inheritance (<a id="fem44-si24" onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,4);">1Pe 1:4</a>), which we may enjoy now in some measure (<a id="fem44-si25" onclick="return mV('Eph',1,3);">Eph 1:3</a>), as we have already received the earnest (<a id="fem44-si26" onclick="return mV('Eph',1,13,14);">Eph 1:13-14</a>).</p>
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<p>The <b>reward</b> of whole-heartedness (<a id="fem44-si27" onclick="return mV('Jos',14,14);">Jos 14:14</a>). Hebron became the reward of Caleb's faithfulness. Hebron means "fellowship." Fellowship with Christ is the reward of walking in the light of His presence now (<a id="fem44-si28" onclick="return mV('1Jo',1,7);">1Jo 1:7</a>), and fellowship with Him in a peculiar sense, in the eternity to come, is the reward of faithfulness (<a id="fem44-si29" onclick="return mV('Rev',3,4);">Rev 3:4</a>).</p>
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