I have often heard it said, that our children are constantly watching us. They see us, when we don’t know they are watching. They hear stories about us from those who have known us for a really long time. Some stories we may not be so proud of, but others have proven to be iconic for our children. Caleb had a story such as this. When Moses sent out twelve men into the land to spy it out, only two came back with positive reports, Joshua and Caleb. The other ten caused the peoples hearts to fear so much, that they chose not to move forward and receive the inheritance that God had promised them when they left their bondage in the land of Egypt. They spent 40 years wandering around in that Wilderness.
So now fast forward 40 years, and please read below from the book of Joshua. Moses has died and Joshua has been given the Mantle of Leadership by God, to lead the people into the land of Promise.
Joshua 14:6-15
6 Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’10 Now behold, the Lord has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the Lord spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11 I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12 Now then, give me this mountain (KJV) about which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities;perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out as the Lord has spoken.”
13 So Joshua blessed him and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance. 14 Therefore, Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite until this day, because he followed the Lord God of Israel fully. 15 Now the name of Hebron was formerly Kiriath-arba; for Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim. Then the land had rest from war.
Now then, give me this mountain (KJV). And so Caleb comes to Joshua and asks for what God has promised him. Joshua blesses Caleb, and grants his request. I am sure this story was iconic in the lives of Caleb’s children. So Caleb’s daughter, Achsah, was apprised of her father’s bravery and faithfulness to God. So in a day and age where women were not given inheritances and portions of land, She had the boldness to step forward, like her Dad, and make a request (Joshua 15:13-19) Caleb grants her request and gives her the upper and lower springs.”
We most certainly do pass on a heritage to our children, our heritage of faithfulness and boldness. We pass on a legacy of perseverance and trust. Jesus speaks to his disciples and tells them:
Jesus *said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
So, Lord Jesus, we desire to pass this legacy of faith to our children. We are imperfect parents who are growing up, in so many ways, right along side our own kids. But dearest God, grant the desires of our hearts, as parents, to pass on boldness and faithfulness, trust and perseverance. Lord, may our very food be to do Your will and to accomplish Your work. Lord, please bless us with passing this legacy onto each of our children. You make all things beautiful in Your time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
hisshadowings.com 