One of the things I love about young children is their energetic and focused response to whatever catches their attention at the moment. There is no holding back their enthusiasm, curiosity, playfulness or their tears! You might say they spontaneously live out the word “wholehearted”.
In the opening 4 chapters of Deuteronomy, Moses is reviewing the experiences of the last 40 years with the generation who are now going to enter the land promised to Abraham a long time ago. Their parents, and perhaps grandparents, were the adults who had experienced God’s amazing delivery from their bondage and slavery in Egypt. God wanted to take them directly to the land He would give to them, but they chose to look at the size of their enemies rather than the power and promises God had given them. They “lost heart” and chose to live life according to their own wisdom and strength.
Now after wandering for about 38 years, this new generation would have the opportunity to choose to follow the plans God had for them and experience victory over their enemies. Joshua would soon become their new and trusted leader. Caleb would be one of his assistants. You’ll discover in your study what made these 2 men different from all the others.
As you begin to study the Book of Deuteronomy, keep clearly in your mind the ways in which these events are parallel to your experience. As believers, we, too, have been delivered from a place of bondage to sin and the limits of our own selfish ways. The victory, which can be ours through Christ, is offered to us, but is not forced upon us. Every promise is ours through faith, just as it was for those children of God so long ago.
No wonder Jesus called us to become like children. The kingdom of God is made up of those who love and follow Him wholeheartedly.