They remained alive because they trusted the Lord’s faithfulness.
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. (v.38)
This verse describes the remarkable survival of Joshua and Caleb, two faithful men among the twelve spies Moses sent to investigate the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1 - 14:38). The LORD decreed that everyone in the generation of Israelites who resisted going into the land and demonstrated unbelief would not be permitted to enter. Despite that judgment, Joshua and Caleb were singled out for their trust in God’s power. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive (v.38), whereas the others were barred from entering the land because of their disobedience. By contrast, Joshua and Caleb’s faith was unwavering; they returned from the scouting mission declaring that God could indeed give His people victory over the powerful inhabitants of Canaan. Their fidelity not only spared their lives but caused them to become examples of triumph amidst trial. Some passages later emphasize that these two were “the only ones twenty years old and older who merited entering the rest” because of their faith (see commentary in Revelation 24.docx).The names in this verse carry deep significance. Joshua the son of Nun, an Ephraimite, would become Moses’ successor and the leader who led Israel into the Promised Land (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 34:9; Joshua 1:1). In Hebrew, Joshua’s name means “Yahweh saves,” which is rendered as “Jesus” in Greek (Matthew 1:21). By extension, Joshua is often seen as a foreshadow of the Messiah (Hebrews 4:8-9). Caleb the son of Jephunneh came from the tribe of Judah. Like Joshua, Caleb was famous for his confidence that the LORD would enable Israel to conquer Canaan, even when confronting giants (Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9). Because of their steadfast faith, these two men survived wandering in the wilderness for forty years and eventually took part in the conquest and inheritance of the land.The region in question was the land of Canaan, located along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. In the broader biblical timeline, the Israelites had been delivered from Egypt and spent considerable time in the Sinai wilderness. People who had witnessed God’s miracles in Egypt nonetheless rebelled at the report of the spies. Because of that rebellion, the LORD decreed that the whole generation, except Joshua and Caleb and the younger Israelite children, would perish in the wilderness. This verse thus highlights God’s judgement on disbelief and His reward for those who trust Him fully (Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 1:34-38).Their story underscores the New Testament concept that believers enter God’s rest by faith (Hebrews 3:19 - 4:10). Just as Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land (their version of “rest”), the believer in Christ is invited to trust God, receiving eternal life and the promise of heaven.
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Numbers 14:38 meaning
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive out of those men who went to spy out the land. (v.38)
This verse describes the remarkable survival of Joshua and Caleb, two faithful men among the twelve spies Moses sent to investigate the Promised Land (Numbers 13:1 - 14:38). The LORD decreed that everyone in the generation of Israelites who resisted going into the land and demonstrated unbelief would not be permitted to enter. Despite that judgment, Joshua and Caleb were singled out for their trust in God’s power. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive (v.38), whereas the others were barred from entering the land because of their disobedience. By contrast, Joshua and Caleb’s faith was unwavering; they returned from the scouting mission declaring that God could indeed give His people victory over the powerful inhabitants of Canaan. Their fidelity not only spared their lives but caused them to become examples of triumph amidst trial. Some passages later emphasize that these two were “the only ones twenty years old and older who merited entering the rest” because of their faith (see commentary in Revelation 24.docx).The names in this verse carry deep significance. Joshua the son of Nun, an Ephraimite, would become Moses’ successor and the leader who led Israel into the Promised Land (Numbers 13:8; Deuteronomy 34:9; Joshua 1:1). In Hebrew, Joshua’s name means “Yahweh saves,” which is rendered as “Jesus” in Greek (Matthew 1:21). By extension, Joshua is often seen as a foreshadow of the Messiah (Hebrews 4:8-9). Caleb the son of Jephunneh came from the tribe of Judah. Like Joshua, Caleb was famous for his confidence that the LORD would enable Israel to conquer Canaan, even when confronting giants (Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9). Because of their steadfast faith, these two men survived wandering in the wilderness for forty years and eventually took part in the conquest and inheritance of the land.The region in question was the land of Canaan, located along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. In the broader biblical timeline, the Israelites had been delivered from Egypt and spent considerable time in the Sinai wilderness. People who had witnessed God’s miracles in Egypt nonetheless rebelled at the report of the spies. Because of that rebellion, the LORD decreed that the whole generation, except Joshua and Caleb and the younger Israelite children, would perish in the wilderness. This verse thus highlights God’s judgement on disbelief and His reward for those who trust Him fully (Numbers 14:30; Deuteronomy 1:34-38).Their story underscores the New Testament concept that believers enter God’s rest by faith (Hebrews 3:19 - 4:10). Just as Joshua and Caleb were allowed to enter the Promised Land (their version of “rest”), the believer in Christ is invited to trust God, receiving eternal life and the promise of heaven.