Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

generation, “‘they have not known my ways.’ So ... ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:10, 11.

AHappy Contrast

A happy contrast to this dark picture of unbelief was to be found in two of the spies. Despite the influence of the unfaithful ten, Joshua and Caleb lifted their voice in courageous expectan cy and boldly spoke in favor of God’ s ability to keep His promise. “Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certain ly do it.” Numbers 13:30. In distress Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes “and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the L ORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the L ORD . And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the L ORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.’” Numbers 14:7–9. Although these two men did not contradict what had already been said, they did not measure the might of the Canaanites against the strength of Israel, but against the unconquerable power of God. They knew and believed the truth, but their testi mony was rejected by those who did not believe. How was it that Caleb and Joshua maintained a strong and abiding faith in this crisis? It appears that they were just as much involved in the specific works program as the other ten spies and the people generally, yet the “works” which killed the faith of the others, did not destroy theirs. Was their case an ex ception to the principle, found in James 2:20, that faith without works is dead? This cannot be so, for the principle is sound and admits no exceptions. There is another possibility – that Caleb and Joshua were not involved in a human works program. Even though their being members of the group sent to spy out the land, suggests that they were engaged in their own works, there are many similar instances when things are not what they seem to be.