◄ Numbers 14:6 ►
Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
Study Bible
Joshua son of Nun
The name "Joshua" is derived from the Hebrew "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh is salvation." Joshua, a central figure in the Old Testament, is a type of Christ, symbolizing deliverance and leadership. As the son of Nun, Joshua's lineage is from the tribe of Ephraim, one of the tribes of Israel. His role as a leader and successor to Moses is significant, as he embodies faithfulness and courage. Historically, Joshua's leadership is pivotal in the conquest of Canaan, and his faith in God's promises sets a standard for believers.

Caleb son of Jephunneh
Caleb's name means "whole-hearted" or "faithful," reflecting his character. As the son of Jephunneh, Caleb is from the tribe of Judah, the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would come. Caleb's faith and trust in God's promises are exemplary, as he stands firm against the majority's fear and disbelief. His partnership with Joshua highlights the unity and strength found in shared faith and purpose.

who were among those who had spied out the land
This phrase refers to the mission of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore Canaan, the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb were part of this group, tasked with assessing the land's resources and inhabitants. Their report contrasted sharply with the other ten spies, who focused on the challenges rather than the opportunities. This mission is a test of faith, revealing the hearts of the Israelites and their readiness to trust in God's provision.

tore their clothes
Tearing one's clothes is an ancient expression of grief, distress, or repentance. In the context of Numbers 14:6, Joshua and Caleb's action signifies their deep sorrow and frustration over the Israelites' lack of faith and rebellion against God. This act is a powerful visual representation of their commitment to God and their anguish over the people's disobedience. It serves as a call to repentance and a reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God's promises.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua son of Nun
One of the twelve spies sent to explore the land of Canaan. He later becomes the leader of Israel after Moses.

2. Caleb son of Jephunneh
Another of the twelve spies, known for his faith and courage. He, along with Joshua, trusted in God's promise despite the negative report from the other spies.

3. The Land of Canaan
The Promised Land that God had assured to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was a land flowing with milk and honey, symbolizing abundance and God's provision.

4. The Tearing of Clothes
A traditional expression of grief, distress, or repentance in ancient Hebrew culture. It signifies the deep sorrow and frustration of Joshua and Caleb over the Israelites' lack of faith.

5. The Exploration of the Land
An event where twelve spies were sent by Moses to scout the land of Canaan and report back on its conditions and inhabitants.
Teaching Points
Faith Over Fear
Joshua and Caleb exemplify the importance of trusting in God's promises despite overwhelming circumstances. Believers are encouraged to choose faith over fear in their own lives.

The Cost of Unbelief
The Israelites' lack of faith led to a generation missing out on God's promises. This serves as a warning about the spiritual consequences of unbelief.

Leadership and Courage
Joshua and Caleb demonstrate godly leadership by standing firm in their convictions. Christians are called to lead with courage and integrity, even when it is unpopular.

Expressions of Grief and Repentance
The act of tearing clothes shows the depth of Joshua and Caleb's distress. Believers can learn the importance of genuine expressions of repentance and sorrow over sin.

God's Faithfulness to the Faithful
Despite the majority's unbelief, God honors the faith of Joshua and Caleb. This reassures believers that God remains faithful to those who trust in Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do Joshua and Caleb's actions in Numbers 14:6 challenge us to respond to situations where the majority opinion contradicts God's promises?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "faith over fear" in our daily lives, especially when facing daunting challenges?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced the cost of unbelief. How can this passage encourage you to trust God more fully in the future?

4. How does the tearing of clothes by Joshua and Caleb inform our understanding of expressing grief and repentance in a biblical context?

5. What lessons can we learn from God's faithfulness to Joshua and Caleb that can strengthen our own faith journey? Consider connections to other scriptures that highlight God's promises.
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 1:36-38
This passage highlights God's promise to Caleb and Joshua for their faithfulness, contrasting with the rest of the Israelites who doubted.

Hebrews 3:16-19
This New Testament passage reflects on the unbelief of the Israelites in the wilderness, using it as a warning for believers to hold firm in faith.

Joshua 14:6-14
This passage recounts Caleb's inheritance of Hebron, fulfilling God's promise due to his unwavering faith.
Sermons
Moses Standing in the Breach, or the Power of Intercessory PrayerW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-20
The Could not Enter in Because of UnbeliefW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-45
A Noble Effort to Arrest a Nation's RebellionW. Jones.Numbers 14:6-9
An Encouraging DeclarationJ. Burns, D. D.Numbers 14:6-9
The Boldness and Fidelity of Joshua and CalebGeorge Breay, B. A.Numbers 14:6-9
Speaking Out: a Last AppealD. Young Numbers 14:6-10
People
Aaron, Amalekites, Caleb, Canaanites, Egyptians, Israelites, Jephunneh, Joshua, Moses, Nun
Places
Egypt, Hormah, Kadesh-barnea, Red Sea
Topics
Caleb, Clothes, Explored, Garments, Giving, Grief, Jephunneh, Jephun'neh, Joshua, Nun, Rent, Searched, Signs, Spied, Spying, Tore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 14:1-9

     5188   tearing of clothes

Numbers 14:6-9

     5064   spirit, emotional
     8026   faith, growth in
     8225   devotion

Library
Moses the Intercessor
'Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.' --NUM. xiv. 19. See how in this story a divine threat is averted and a divine promise is broken, thus revealing a standing law that these in Scripture are conditional. This striking incident of Moses' intercession suggests to us some thoughts as to I. The ground of the divine forgiveness. The appeal is not based on anything in the people. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Weighed, and Found Wanting
'And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4. And they said one …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Order and Argument in Prayer
It is further observable that though a good man hastens to God in his trouble, and runs with all the more speed because of the unkindness of his fellow men, yet sometimes the gracious soul is left without the comfortable presence of God. This is the worst of all griefs; the text is one of Job's deep groans, far deeper than any which came from him on account of the loss of his children and his property: "Oh that I knew where I might find HIM!" The worst of all losses is to lose the smile of my God. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 12: 1866

The Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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