Caleb and Joshua: A Picture of the One New Man
Caleb and Joshua: A Picture of the One New Man
by Messianic Rabbi Eric Carlson
I would like to share with you the “One New Man” in Ephesians 2:14-15. In this passage Paul tells us “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two (Jew and Gentile), thus making peace.” We know Biblically that it is the Father’s heart that we (Jew and Gentile) come together as one in Messiah Yeshua.
I would like to show you a prophetic revelation of the “One New Man” found in Numbers 13. This passage is about the Children of Israel’s refusal to enter in and conquer the promised land as God had ordered. The Israelites chose instead to send spies and reconnoiter the land, even though God had already given it to them. God spoke unto Moses and said “Sh’lach l’cha” (send for yourselves as it translates to English) spies. God didn’t need spies. He had already made known His promise. This spirit of hardened hearts and rebellion that Israel displayed is still prevalent today among those serving the Lord!
Through Yeshua we have God’s promise of Healing, Wholeness, Restored Relationships, Restored Marriages, Restored Minds, Broken Curses, Cured Addictions, and ALL Our Provisions met! The promises are ours, given to us by Yeshua! Many today fail to claim these promises. This is why we are so often not victorious, our hearts are hardened. We hesitate, reconnoiter, and attempt to send spies to scout our problems, to find a way around them, instead of claiming victory over, and conquering them! We can do this because Yeshua has already won the battle and given us the authority to do so!
Twelve spies, one from each tribe, were selected and sent to reconnoiter the promised land for 40 days. Upon their return they brought reports of abundant crops and a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it on their shoulders slung on a pole. Despite seeing evidence of all of the “milk and honey” as God had promised, ten of the twelve spies reported to Moses and the people that the land was filled with large giants who made the Israelites look like tiny grasshoppers. They reported that the land “could not be taken”. Considering the miracles God had granted them in the Exodus from Egypt, it is nearly impossible to comprehend that the Israelites cried out again, saying it would have been better to stay Egypt, even though they knew God was with them by evidence of all His miracles! You could take them out of Egypt but you couldn’t take Egypt out of them!
Two very famous spies of the twelve, Joshua (also known as Efraiym Hosea, son of Nun) and Caleb made a very different report. Caleb said in Numbers 13:30 “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” God’s anger flared at those who balked at taking possession of the land and the entire generation would perish in the wilderness and never enter the land. Caleb and Joshua however found favor with the Lord for their faith, belief, and their representation of the Lord. These two men of God were allowed to enter the Promised Land and receive their inheritance!
Now, here’s the “One New Man” scriptural revelation! Caleb was not Jewish! He was a Kenizzite (Numbers 32:12), a group of people from the area North and East of the land of Israel in what is now present day Syria. Caleb was a proselytite, a convert to Judaism and the Jewish People. Caleb was integrated into the tribe of Judah and was selected as one of the twelve spies. Caleb and Joshua were the first “One New Man” in the Bible, a Jew and Gentile who came together as one to inherit the promises given to Abraham. Not only were Joshua and Caleb the first “One New Man”, they were the only two of the twelve spies who said the land could be taken. The promises, fullness, and completeness of the Kingdom of God are for the Jew and Gentile, together as “One New Man”. It is the “One New Man” who will enter God’s rest in Hebrews 4:6-11. Yeshua’s plan for us is to stand together as the One New Man!
Joshua and Caleb set a mighty example for us! Our report should be “The Harvest is ripe and it is ours! We should immediately reap for we are able! We can take it! There are many giants, there will be troubles, but we can do it for the Lord is with us! Yeshua has won the battle!” Don’t send spies when you are in tribulation! Don’t hesitate when you need a healing! Don’t give up on unsaved family members or friends! Claim your victory! Enter into your spiritual Promised Land! For we are well able to overcome any tribulation, sickness, or curse for we have overcome by the blood of Yeshua, He has given us the promise! It’s up to us to take the victory!
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Messianic Rabbi Eric Carlson and his wife Rabbitzin Barbara of Newport News Va., have been called to spread the Good News of Messiah Yeshua’s Grace and Glory in the United States and in the countries of the Former Soviet Union (having performed Gods work in Hungary, Russia, and the Ukraine).
Active in Aliyah, the world wide exodus of the Children of Israel back to Israel as prophesied in the Bible, Zion’s Sake has sponsored the return home of over 2,269 Jewish people from Russian and the Ukraine. Through a prophetic vision from God, they were called to spread the “Good News’ of the Jewish Messiah according to the Law of Evangelism; To the Jew First. To provoke the Jewish people to jealousy. To reach the lost and hurting through the Love of Messiah and to feed the starving and clothe the naked in Newport News, Virginia, America, and the Nations.
Rabbitzin Barb Carlson Leads the Zion’s Sake dancers, a “One New Man” (Ephesians 2:15) Messianic Jewish Dance Team. They are dedicated to restoring Jewish and Davidic Dance. Many of their dances consist of the “circle dance” which represents unity. It is also traditional Judaic beliefs that demonic forces cannot penetrate a circle. They dance before the Lord, sowing praise and worship unto the God of Israel!
Click here for Congregation Zion’s Sake’s web site.