Sabbath School - Meat In Due Season Advanced Commentary

SS25-Q4-L8 - Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb
—November 15–21

Saturday Afternoon
Key Scriptures for the Week: Num. 13:6, 30-32; Josh. 14:6-14; Luke 18:1-5; Josh. 19:49-51; 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom: 12:1-2

Thought for Meditation:
Two, however, of the twelve who had viewed the land, reasoned otherwise. "We are well able to overcome it" (Numbers 13:30), they urged, counting God's promise superior to giants, walled cities, or chariots of iron. For them their word was true. Though they shared with their brethren the forty years' wandering, Caleb and Joshua entered the Land of Promise. As courageous of heart as when with the hosts of the Lord he set out from Egypt, Caleb asked for and received as his portion the stronghold of the giants. In God's strength he drove out the Canaanites. The vineyards and olive groves where his feet had trodden became his possession. Though the cowards and rebels perished in the wilderness, the men of faith ate of the grapes of Eschol. {Ed 149.2}

Memory Text: Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation. {Hebrew 13:7}

The Purpose of This Week’s Lesson

The purpose of this week’s study is to inspire God’s people to cultivate the unwavering faith, courage, and loyalty demonstrated by Joshua and Caleb, especially in the face of overwhelming obstacles, spiritual giants, and the Laodicean unbelief that prevails in the church today. Their experience is not merely historical—it is prophetic, providing a divine pattern for the final generation who must enter the antitypical Land of Promise.

1. To Restore a Spirit of Unwavering Faith in God’s Promises

Just as Joshua and Caleb counted God’s word “superior to giants” (Ed 149.2), God’s people today must learn to trust His promises above circumstances, human reasoning, or majority opinion.

SOP Insight: True faith “grasps God’s promises and brings unseen realities within our reach.”
The faithful company in the last days are those who “follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth,” trusting God amid impossibilities.

2. To Teach Victory Over the Spiritual “Giants” of Today

Israel’s literal giants symbolize the spiritual giants confronting the church now—doubt, worldliness, fear, unbelief, and compromise.

SOP Insight: The majority often bring “an evil report,” weakening faith (PP 388).
The church faces a crisis that will separate the cowards from the conquerors; only those with a Joshua-Caleb spirit will stand in the coming purification and sealing.

3. To Call God’s People Into Total Consecration and Transformation

The week highlights the renewing power of God (Rom. 12:1–2; 2 Cor. 3:18).

SOP Insight: Those who will receive the latter rain must “empty the soul of every defilement” and renew their covenant.
The 144,000—antitypical Joshua and Caleb—are made ready through complete surrender and obedience to advancing light.

4. To Emphasize Persevering Prayer and Endurance

Luke 18:1–5 teaches persistence in prayer, essential for overcoming spiritual enemies.

SOP Insight: Prevailing prayer is the secret of spiritual power.
The faithful cry day and night for deliverance and for leadership guided by God’s Spirit.

5. To Restore Respect and Submission to God-Appointed Leadership

The Memory Text (Heb. 13:7) calls the church to remember and follow leaders who speak the word of God, as Joshua and Caleb did.

SOP Insight: God appoints faithful leaders as channels of light.
In every crisis, God raises reformer-leaders—often rejected at first—yet entrusted with a special message to prepare the church for the kingdom.

6. To Prepare the Final Generation to Enter the Antitypical Promised Land

Joshua and Caleb prefigure the faithful remnant who will enter God’s kingdom before the Second Coming.

SOP Insight: Those who reject light will die in the wilderness; but “men of faith shall eat the grapes of Eschol.”
The antitypical Joshua movement finishes the gospel work; the faithful receive their inheritance when the kingdom is set up.

Summary Purpose Statement

This week’s study aims to revive in God’s people the Joshua-Caleb spirit—faith that sees victory instead of obstacles, courage to stand against the unbelieving majority, perseverance in prayer, loyalty to God’s appointed leadership, and total consecration to divine purpose—so the final generation may be prepared to enter the antitypical Land of Promise and receive their inheritance in God’s soon-established kingdom.

Outline of the Study

The Faith of Caleb
Sunday - November 16, 2025
Making the Impossible Possible - Faithfulness
Numbers 13:6, 30-32; Joshua 14:6, 14; Num. 14:6-10, 21-25; Num. 26:65; Num. 32:12;

Monday - November 17, 2025
Faith in Action - Give Me This Hill Country
Joshua 14:6-14; Numbers 14:24; Numbers 32:12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Luke 6:45; Gen. 16:2; Num. 22:6, 11; Num. 23:3.

Tuesday - November 18, 2025
The Power of Example - Passing the Torch
Joshua 15:16-19; Judges 1:13; Judges 3:7-11;   Luke 18:1-5.

Wednesday - November 19, 2025
Humble Hero - The Faith of Joshua
Joshua 19:49-51; Exod. 26:12; Ps. 27:4

Thursday - November 20, 2025
Changed by Contemplation - How to Obtain Faith
Heb. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Romans 12:1-2.

Friday - November 21, 2025
Further Prophetic Insights and Study

The Faith of Caleb
Sunday - November 16, 2025
Making the Impossible Possible - Faithfulness
Numbers 13:6, 30-32; Joshua 14:6, 14; Num. 14:6-10, 21-25; Num. 26:65; Num. 32:12;

“Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God”
(Joshua 14:8 NKJV)

The Biblical Foundation: Caleb’s Faith Against All Odds

The story of Caleb in Numbers 13–14 is not merely historical—it is prophetically illustrative of God’s last-day remnant who must confront “giants” in the spiritual landscape.

1. Faith That Sees the Invisible

While ten spies saw giants, Caleb saw God’s promises (Num. 13:30).
Caleb’s faith turned impossibility into divine certainty—“We are well able to overcome it.”
This reflects the principle of faith as spiritual sight (2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:1).

2. A Different Spirit

God testifies of Caleb:

“My servant Caleb…because he had another spirit with him…he followed Me fully.” (Num. 14:24)
Caleb’s spirit was:
Courageous when others were fearful
Loyal when others doubted
Steadfast when others compromised

3. Faithfulness Rewarded

Forty years of wandering did not diminish Caleb’s conviction.

At 85, he boldly claims God’s promise (Josh. 14:6-14).
Age did not weaken him because faith strengthened him.

Spirit of Prophecy: Caleb as a Type of the 144,000

Ellen White lifts Caleb beyond mere biography—she makes him an end-time example.

1. Standing Firm Amid Apostasy

“It was faith, firm and unwavering, that brought Caleb…through the crisis among his brethren.” (PP 388)
When the whole congregation rebelled, Caleb’s loyalty distinguished him from the multitude.

Prophetic Parallel:
In the last days, when many within God’s Church lose courage or reject Heaven’s leading, God’s faithful few—like Caleb—stand unmoved.

2. Faith That Raises a Standard

“Caleb had a different spirit—he trusted in the power of God.” (PP 387)
True faith lifts the Church from despair to obedience.

3. Wholehearted Obedience

“Caleb’s faith was rewarded. He was permitted to enter Canaan.” (PP 513)

Thus, Caleb represents:

Those who overcome
Those who vindicate God before unbelievers
Those who cling to divine promises despite delay

This is the experience of the sealed, the 144,000, and the wise virgins.

Caleb as a Model of the End-Time Leadership and Reformers

Inspiration repeatedly uses Joshua and Caleb as symbols of the leadership God will have during the purification of the Church.

1. Caleb as Type of the Faithful Servant

SRod connects Caleb’s unwavering spirit to the small company who stand true during the shaking.

The ten spies represent the majority in the church who discourage faith.
Caleb (and Joshua) represent the faithful servants who stand firm when the multitude falters.
(see SRod, Vol. 1, pp. 108–110)

2. Loyalty Against Internal Opposition

The people “took up stones” to silence Caleb (Num. 14:10).
SRod points to this as symbolic of the time when reformers within the SDA Church are opposed by their own brethren for giving the straight testimony.

Caleb’s persistence mirrors the experience of the:

“Battering Ram” of Ezekiel 4 (SRod symbolism)
Reformers who call Laodicea to revival
Messengers who refuse to echo the unbelief of the majority

3. The “Different Spirit” and the End-Time Movement

Inspiration emphasizes that the modern “Calebs” will:

Reject unbelief within the Church
Encourage faith toward the Kingdom establishment
Follow God wholly, not partially
Receive the promise: entry into the antitypical Canaan, the kingdom before the Second Coming

Thus, Caleb prefigures the faithful remnant who will survive the purification, stand with the Lamb, and inherit the kingdom.

Prophetic Application: Caleb’s Faith and the End-Time Church

1. The Giants Before Us

Today’s “giants” include:

Spiritual lukewarmness of Laodicea
Unbelief in God’s prophetic leadership
Fear of persecution
Institutional pressure against reform
Compromise with worldliness

Only a Caleb faith can overcome these giants.

2. The Melting Heart vs. the Wholehearted

The ten spies made the people’s “hearts melt” (Josh. 14:8).
Today many voices discourage faith, dilute prophetic truth, or attack Present Truth.

But the end-time faithful, like Caleb:

Strengthen the faint
Speak courage
Restore confidence in God’s promises

3. Reclaiming the Mountains

Caleb’s victory was the claim of the mountain of Hebron (Josh. 14:12).

Prophetically:

The “mountain” symbolizes the kingdom (Isa. 2:2–3).
The claim represents the faithful ones receiving their promised inheritance after the Church is purified.

4. Faithfulness Makes the Impossible Possible

Caleb’s life shows that:

Obedience opens the way for divine power.
Faith transforms impossibility into destiny.
Wholehearted loyalty produces the “different spirit” God can seal.

Consider the Following

❖ Making the impossible possible.
— The name "Caleb" means "dog." As his life demonstrated, he didn't receive that name as a derogatory term, but because of his unwavering loyalty. He was faithful where others were unfaithful. He remained loyal to God where others flinched.
— Where ten spies saw cities impossible to conquer, and giants impossible to overcome, Caleb saw cities conquered and giants “eaten like bread” (Num. 13:28-33; 14:6-9).
— Together with Joshua (somewhat younger than him), he stood firm in his opinion, even when the crowd wanted to stone them (Num. 14:10).
— His example encourages us to maintain our firm faith in God, who can make possible what is impossible for us.

Final Prophetic Insight

Caleb represents:

The faithful few, not the fearful many
The overcomers, not the murmurers
The sealed remnant, not the rebels
The courageous reformers who call the Church to revival
The last generation who will see the fulfillment of God’s promises

In the Bible: he stands when others fall.

In SOP: he typifies the true overcomers.

In the inspiration: he symbolizes the purified leadership who will stand in the Kingdom.

Conclusion

The Faith of Caleb teaches:

Only those who follow the Lord wholly
will overcome the giants, endure the shaking,
receive the seal, and enter the antitypical Canaan.

The message is clear:

Courage. Faith. Wholehearted obedience.
This is the spirit God will seal.
This is the spirit that finishes the work.

Monday - November 17, 2025
Faith in Action - Give Me This Hill Country
Joshua 14:6-14; Numbers 14:24; Numbers 32:12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Luke 6:45; Gen. 16:2; Num. 22:6, 11; Num. 23:3.

“Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.” (Joshua 14:12)

The Prophetic Setting: Claiming the Promised Mountain

Caleb’s declaration—
“Give me this hill country” (Josh. 14:12)—
is not merely a request. It is a prophetic revelation of a faith that acts boldly upon God’s word, even when the circumstances appear impossible.

This “hill country” (Hebron) was:

The stronghold of the Anakim—giants (Num. 13:28, 33)
A region with fortified cities
A place where Israel’s unbelief once triumphed

Yet, Caleb asked for the very thing others feared.

This demonstrates a key prophetic truth:

The promises of God are inherited only by those who confront the giants through living faith.

Biblical Insight: Caleb's Faith in Action

1. Faith that Remembers the Promise

Caleb’s request is rooted in God’s word:

Numbers 14:24 — God promised to bring Caleb into the land “where he went.”
Deut. 1:36 — “To him will I give the land he hath trodden upon.”

Caleb carries this promise through:

40 years of wandering
The apostasy of Israel
The death of the older generation

Faith holds on to the prophecy even when delay threatens hope.

2. Faith that Confronts Giants

Caleb does not ask for an easy inheritance.
He asks for the hardest territory—the mountain filled with giants.

Faith in action:

does not choose convenience;
it chooses challenge because God is with it.

3. Faith that Produces Courage

Caleb declares:

“The Lord helping me, I will drive them out.” (Josh. 14:12)

He does not rely on:

age (he is 85),
strength,
position,
or military advantage.

He relies entirely on God’s enabling.

4. Faith that Reveals the Heart (Luke 6:45)

Luke 6:45 teaches that a man speaks from the abundance of his heart.
Caleb’s speech reveals:

faith
courage
memory of divine promises
a spirit wholly yielded to God

His words are prophecy in action.

5. Faith that Avoids the Pitfalls of Presumption

Unlike:

Sarah (“Go unto my maid”—Gen. 16:2)
Balak (Num. 22:6, 11) attempting to curse God’s people
Balaam (Num. 23:3) attempting to manipulate God’s voice

Caleb does not act out of:

presumption
self-will
desperation
manipulation

He acts out of obedience to God’s revealed promise, not his own plan.

Spirit of Prophecy Insight: Caleb and the Last Generation

Ellen White elevates Caleb’s faith as a model for the remnant:

1. A Man of “Unwavering Faith”

“Caleb’s faith was strong. His confidence in God was unwavering.” (PP 387–388)

Faith for the last generation must be:

unmixed with unbelief
unmoved by the fear of others
unshaken by majority opinion

Caleb stands alone against the majority, just as the remnant will stand in the crisis.

2. Wholehearted Consecration

“He followed the Lord fully.” (PP 387)

His faith was not:

half-hearted,
lukewarm,
or intellectual only.

It was practical, active, and courageous.

3. A Symbol of Those Who Enter the Heavenly Canaan

Caleb represents those who walk by faith, not sight, and who enter the heavenly Canaan. (PP 513)

SOP makes Caleb a type of the 144,000:

They believe when others doubt
They stand when others fall
They claim what God has promised even when giants oppose them

Caleb’s Mountain and the Kingdom

Inspiration places Joshua and Caleb in a significant prophetic structure:

1. Caleb as a Type of the Faithful in the Purified Church

SRod teaches that:

Joshua and Caleb represent the faithful leadership and people who survive the antitypical purification (see SRod Vol. 1, pp. 108–110).
The ten spies represent the majority in the church who weakened faith.
Caleb represents the minority faithful who move the church into the Kingdom.

2. The Hill Country as a Symbol of the Kingdom Establishment

SRod frequently associates:

Mountains with Kingdom prophecies (Isa. 2:2–4; Mic. 4:1–2).
Caleb receiving Hebron is thus a symbol of the faithful receiving the Kingdom promise while unbelief is swept away.

3. Caleb’s Spirit = The Spirit of the Final Reformation

SRod emphasizes:

“The different spirit” of Caleb (Num. 14:24) is the spirit of revival and reformation the church needs before sealing.
Those who possess this spirit will demand the mountain of the Lord’s house and advance the message of the Kingdom.

Caleb’s request becomes a prophecy:

The purified remnant will claim God’s Kingdom promise with fearless faith in the face of giant obstacles.

4. Overcoming the Giants = Overcoming the Opposition Within

In SRod imagery:

The giants symbolize not only external enemies but internal unbelief, resistance, and Laodicean lethargy.
Caleb’s victory prefigures the victory of the 144,000 over internal opposition (EW 270 and SRod parallels).

Practical Last-Day Prophetic Application

1. “Give Me This Mountain” = Claiming Difficult Missions

True faith does not ask for less opposition—it asks for a greater challenge in order to reveal God’s power.

2. Giants Represent Today’s Spiritual Obstacles

Laodicean lukewarmness
Organizational unbelief
Rejection of Present Truth
Fear of persecution
Compromise among leaders and laypeople
Neglect of prophetic truth

Caleb’s spirit confronts these giants head-on.

3. The Faith That Acts Will Finish the Work

The final servants of God will:

Claim the promise of the Kingdom
Stand against opposition within the Church
Speak courage and faith
Move forward when others retreat
Prepare the way for the sealing and the Loud Cry

Their cry will be Caleb’s cry:

“The Lord helping me, I will conquer the mountain.”

Consider the Following
❖ Faith in action.
— According to Caleb himself, when Moses asked for an account, “I brought him back a report according to my convictions” (Josh. 14:7), and “I followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:8). Because of his faithfulness, he was promised that he would inherit the place where his feet had set foot during the inspection (Josh. 14:9).

— Caleb was 40 years old when he was sent as a spy. After five years of conquest, he was now an old man of 85 (Josh. 14:10). His body and mind were still as vigorous, and his thoughts were still the same (Josh. 14:11).

— The time had come to claim the promise and prove that his words were not in vain. With God's help, he was going to devour the giants and conquer their cities (Josh. 14:12-14).

Final Prophetic Insight

Caleb’s request for the hill country represents the faith of:

the sealed,
the purified remnant,
the 144,000,
the faithful reformers who will not retreat,
those who fully follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

Thus, the mountain is not simply territory— It is a symbol of the Kingdom promise,
and Caleb is the prophetic model of those who claim it in the final generation.

Conclusion

Faith in action is not passive belief.
It is courageous obedience that demands the fulfillment of God’s promise even in the face of giants.

Caleb shows that the greatest victories belong to those who dare to ask,
“Lord, give me this mountain.”

Tuesday - November 18, 2025
The Power of Example - Passing the Torch
Joshua 15:16-19; Judges 1:13; Judges 3:7-11; Luke 18:1-5.

“And Caleb said, ‘I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher’ ” (Joshua 15:16)

The Prophetic Value of a Godly Example

Caleb’s life does not end with his personal conquest of Hebron.
His victory inspires, shapes, and empowers the next generation.

Caleb becomes a pattern, a prophetic type, and a torchbearer.
From him we learn this truth:

The greatest inheritance parents and leaders can give is not land or position,
but faith, courage, and devotion to God.

Biblical Insight: Caleb’s Example Becomes the Legacy

1. Aksah and Othniel — Faith Passed Down (Josh. 15:16–19)

Caleb’s influence is seen in two key people:

A. Othniel — A Faithful Warrior

Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, rises to Caleb’s challenge:

He conquers Kiriath Sepher, a stronghold of the Canaanites.
His courage mirrors Caleb’s faith.

B. Aksah — A Woman of Holy Boldness

Aksah, Caleb’s daughter, inherits her father’s bold spirit.
She asks Caleb:

“Give me also springs of water.” (Josh. 15:19)

Her request is:

Bold
Faith-filled
Expectant

She does not settle for the land alone—she seeks the water needed to make the land fruitful.

Prophetic Symbol:

Water = the Holy Spirit, spiritual life, and truth (John 7:38–39).
Aksah represents the last-day believers who boldly ask for the outpouring of the Spirit in the finishing work.

Judges 3:7–11 — The Fruit of a Godly Example

After Caleb’s generation passes:

Israel forgets God
They bow to Baal and Asherah
They fall into oppression

But the torch that Caleb lit does not go out completely.

Othniel Rises

Othniel becomes:

Israel’s first judge
A deliverer raised up by God
A man filled with the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 3:10)

He brings:

Deliverance
Leadership
40 years of peace

Prophetic Lesson:
When a generation compromises, God raises leaders molded by the example of faithful mentors.

Caleb’s legacy becomes Israel’s salvation through Othniel.

Spirit of Prophecy Insight: The Power of Holy Influence

Ellen White consistently affirms the spiritual law:

Character is power, and example is influence multiplied.

1. Leadership by Example

“A noble, all-round character is made by acting right in small things.” (COL 358)
Caleb’s everyday faith shaped Aksah and Othniel.

2. The Torch Passed Down

“Parents should remember that example has more force than precept.” (CG 262)
Caleb did not merely preach faith—he lived it before his family.

3. Legacy of Courage

“A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure we can take from this world.” (COL 332)

Caleb’s faith becomes a prophetic template for end-time parents, leaders, and workers.

4. Persevering Prayer (Luke 18:1–5)

Luke 18:1–5 teaches:

persistence
urgency
refusal to yield to discouragement

Just as the widow persisted with the unjust judge, Caleb persisted for 45 years in claiming God’s promise, and Aksah persisted in asking for spiritual springs.

This is the spirit of the end-time remnant:

persistent,
unwavering,
courageous,
claiming the promises,
passing on a living faith.

The Prophetic Legacy of Reformers

Inspiration teaches that Caleb and Joshua symbolize:

the purified leadership
the faithful remnant
the ones who will usher Israel into the Kingdom after purification
(SRod Vol. 1, pp. 108–110)

1. The Remnant Leadership Inspires the Next Generation

SRod portrays the faithful reformers as:

the “Calebs” of today
those who hold to God’s promises
those who defy the unbelief of the majority
those who lead in claiming the “mountain” of the Kingdom

Their influence raises up Othniels—new workers prepared for the Loud Cry.

2. Aksah as a Symbol of the Church Asking for the Spirit

Her request for “springs of water” represents:

the prayer for the latter rain
a hunger for deeper truth
spiritual cleansing and refreshing (Zeph. 3:9; Joel 2:23)

This is the prophetic “torch” passed from reformers to the final generation.

3. Othniel as a Type of the First Deliverers in the Kingdom Setup

Othniel, being the first judge of Israel, symbolizes:

the first fruits
the early leaders in the restored Church
those filled with the Spirit to deliver God’s people in the final conflict

SRod emphasizes that example, not position, marks true leadership.

Caleb’s life creates a line of reformers that God uses to deliver Israel.

Prophetic Application for Today

1. The SDA Church Needs Calebs Today

Faithful workers whose:

lives inspire
courage empowers
example ignites revival
testimony strengthens the weak

2. The Next Generation Needs the Torch

Aksah and Othniel represent:

the youth
new workers
fresh leadership
last-day missionaries and reformers

They are shaped by:

the faithfulness of their mentors
the example of God’s warriors
the spiritual courage of their elders

3. Spiritual Boldness Is Contagious

Aksah’s bold request is an echo of Caleb’s bold faith.
Othniel’s first victory is an echo of Caleb’s earlier victory.

Faith multiplies itself through example.

4. Persistent Prayer Completes the Torch

Luke 18:1–5 teaches:

End-time deliverance will come through persistent prayer.
The widow’s cry echoes Aksah’s request and Caleb’s lifelong perseverance.

The last generation will:

Pray without ceasing
Claim every promise
Ask for spiritual springs
Move forward in faith
Pass the torch of truth with courage

Consider the Following
❖ Passing the torch.
— When he had conquered part of the territory that was his, Caleb considered the legacy he would leave behind. Would his descendants continue to trust in God as he had?
— He had proven that God could be trusted, now he wanted to find someone who had the same faith, so he could pass the torch to them. — For this reason, he promised his daughter's hand to the one who conquered Kiriath-sepher , also called Debir (Josh. 15:15-16).
— His nephew Othniel was the mighty man who conquered the city, and became the first judge of Israel (Josh. 15:17; Judges 3:9-11).
— After marrying Achsah, Caleb's daughter, she persuaded her father to allow him to expand the conquered area (Josh. 15:18-19), thus proving himself a worthy heir to Caleb.

Final Prophetic Insight

Caleb’s example shows that:

A living faith inspires a living legacy.
A courageous leader raises courageous successors.

Aksah and Othniel illustrate:

The perpetuation of reform
The passing of spiritual courage
The birth of new leadership
The chain of faithful witnesses in the final generation

The “torch” of Caleb is the torch of:

present truth,
revival and reformation,
holy boldness,
daring obedience,
persistent prayer.

This is the very torch that must pass to the 144,000 and the great multitude.

Conclusion

Caleb conquered giants.
Aksah claimed springs.
Othniel delivered Israel.

This is the prophetic cycle of faithfulness.
This is the power of a godly example.
This is how God finishes the work in the final generation.

Wednesday - November 19, 2025
Humble Hero - The Faith of Joshua
Joshua 19:49-51; Exod. 26:12; Ps. 27:4

“When they had finished dividing the land into its allotted portions, the Israelites gave Joshua son of Nun an inheritance among them” (Joshua 19:49)

The Humility of a Great Leader

Joshua, one of Scripture’s greatest conquerors, becomes the perfect example that true greatness is clothed in humility. Though he led Israel to victory, divided the land, and served as God’s appointed general, he did not claim his own inheritance until every tribe had received theirs.

This is the essence of a humble hero—
a leader who puts God and His people first.

Joshua’s humility reveals a prophetic principle:

The greatest leaders of the last days are those who seek no honor for themselves, but only the fulfillment of God’s purposes.

Biblical Insight: Joshua’s Humble Spirit

1. Joshua Receives His Inheritance Last (Josh. 19:49–51)

Unlike the tribes who pressed for their territory:

Joshua waited
Joshua served
Joshua administered justice
Joshua gave others their portions first

Only after the work was complete did Israel give Joshua a city—Timnath-Serah.

This reflects:

self-denial
servant leadership
disregard for self-promotion
a spirit wholly dedicated to mission

The prophetic lesson:

True spiritual leaders wait for God, not for human recognition.

2. The Residue of the Curtains (Exod. 26:12) — Symbol of Selflessness

The leftover curtain piece “that which remaineth” covered the backside of the tabernacle.

Symbolically:

what is left over goes to God
God’s house receives priority
the “residue” symbolizes self-renunciation

Joshua lived the principle that the sanctuary represented:

God first
People next
Myself last

This is the divine order of leadership.

3. Psalm 27:4 — The True Desire of a Humble Leader

David’s prayer echoes Joshua’s heart:

“One thing have I desired… to dwell in the house of the Lord.”

Joshua was not consumed with:

wealth
status
territory
prestige

His desire was to be near God:

in His presence
in His service
under His command
fulfilling His mission

Hence, he did not rush for his inheritance; he sought God’s approval, not man’s.

Spirit of Prophecy Insight: Joshua as a Type of Leadership for the Final Generation

Ellen White consistently elevates Joshua as:

a man of faith
a man of humility
a type of Christ
a type of the final remnant leadership

1. A Pattern of True Leadership

“Joshua would have all honor given to God.” (PP 455)
He refused to magnify self.
He magnified God.

2. Joshua’s Humility Prepared Him for Greater Faith

“The more responsibility the humble man of God bears, the more submissive he becomes.” (PP 314)
Joshua grew more humble as he grew in authority.

3. Joshua Points to the Leaders in the Sealing Time

“Those who in humility of heart work under divine direction will be enabled to lead the people in the work of God.” (PP 310)

The end-time faithful leaders must be:

fearless yet humble
strong yet meek
bold yet teachable
authoritative yet submissive to God

Joshua is the prophetic model.

Joshua and the Purified Leadership

The inspiration places Joshua in a major prophetic framework involving the purification of the church and the setting up of the Kingdom.

1. Joshua as a Type of the Faithful Leadership After Purification

SRod teaches that Joshua represents the purified leadership that leads the church into the Kingdom (see SRod Vol. 1, pp. 47–48; Vol. 2, pp. 45–47).
Just as Joshua succeeded Moses, so the purified leadership succeeds the “old order” after the Ezekiel 9 cleansing.

This leadership is:

humble
faithful
divinely appointed
Spirit-guided

2. Joshua Receives His Portion Last — A Prophetic Symbol

In SRod typology:

Joshua receiving his inheritance last represents the rewards of leadership after the church’s purification, not before it.
It also symbolizes that the faithful leaders of the Kingdom do not grasp authority—they receive it from the people under God’s direction.

3. Joshua’s Humility = the Spirit of the 144,000

SRod emphasizes:

Humility is the essential trait of the final sealed company.
The 144,000 do not exalt themselves; they follow the Lamb “whithersoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:4).

Joshua perfectly models this spirit.

4. Joshua’s Work of Dividing the Land = The Final Reorganization

Joshua’s dividing of the land typifies:

the administrative reorganization of God’s purified church
the establishment of the initial Kingdom order
the allotment of responsibilities to each tribe

This prophetic picture shows Joshua as Christ’s agent in organizing God’s Kingdom people.

The Prophetic Application for Today

1. Humility Is the Mark of God’s Final Leaders

Not:

popularity
education
charisma
position

But character.

Joshua’s spirit is the spirit God will seal.

2. Leadership Must Come After Service

Joshua served:

Moses
Israel
God
long before being honored.

The end-time leadership will be servants before rulers.

3. God Will Reward the Faithful—But at the Right Time

Joshua waited for his inheritance.
The faithful remnant waits for:

the sealing
the outpouring of the Spirit
the Loud Cry
the inheritance of the Kingdom

They do not grab position; they wait for God.

4. The Presence of God Matters More than the Possession of the Land

Psalm 27:4 shows the true goal:
Not land—but God Himself.

This is the anchor of the end-time saints.

Consider the Following
The faith of Joshua.
❖ As a young man, Joshua was chosen by Moses as his assistant. He proved to be obedient, courageous, faithful, helpful, and a lover of the things of God ( Ex . 33:11).
❖ When the time came to claim his own territory, he waited until all the tribes had obtained their inheritance, and he chose “the portion left over” [ Timnath-serah ] (Josh. 19:50), a city near Shiloh, where the Sanctuary had been erected.
❖ From his story, we learn that: — Faith does not ignore the facts, it simply offers a different angle of understanding — Instead of complaining, we are called to trust and submit to God's plans — Blessings come to those who remain totally in the Lord — Life in all its dimensions must be lived according to the plans established by God — It is worth living close to God (Ps. 84:10)

Final Prophetic Insight

Joshua’s humility reveals that:

True greatness comes through selflessness.
True leadership puts God first and self last.
True heroes are humble heroes.

In prophetic symbolism:

Joshua represents the purified leadership that will guide God’s people into the Kingdom.
His inheritance represents the ultimate reward given only after faithful service.
His humility represents the spirit necessary for the sealing and the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Thus, in Joshua we see:

the character of Christ,
the spirit of the 144,000,
and the model for all true workers who will finish the work.

Conclusion

Joshua’s life teaches that humility is not weakness—it is divine strength.
It is the power that enables a leader to:

wait,
serve,
conquer,
organize,
and inherit.

This is the faith of Joshua—
the faith that God will seal in the final generation.

Thursday - November 20, 2025
Changed by Contemplation - How to Obtain Faith
Heb. 12:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Romans 12:1-2.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)

Faith Is Formed by Focus—The Law of the Mind

The central divine principle in these passages is that faith is not accidental. It is a product of spiritual focus—what we behold, we become.

Biblical Foundation

Hebrews 12:1–2 reveals that faith matures when the believer fixes his eyes on Jesus, refusing the entanglements of sin.
2 Corinthians 3:18 teaches the great spiritual law:

“By beholding we are changed.”
Romans 12:1–2 calls for a total consecration of the body and the mind’s renewal, so that the believer is transformed into God’s perfect will.

The Scriptures agree:
Transformation is the fruit of contemplation.

SOP – Contemplation of Christ the Only Means of Real Victory

Ellen G. White magnifies this principle:

1. Change Comes Only by Beholding Christ

“It is by beholding that we become changed.” —GC 555

“The more we contemplate the character of Christ, the more we shall desire to be like Him.” —SC 91

The Laodicean church’s weakness is not lack of information but lack of contemplation.
The remedy is clear:

Look away from self.
Look away from the world.
Look unto Jesus.

2. The Race Requires Perseverance

“The Christian life is a battle and a march… through constant surrender to God.” —AA 560

The “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 12:1 are those who lived by faith in the most trying circumstances. Their testimonies are not mere history—they form a prophetic encouragement for the final generation, urging them to lay aside every weight so they may finish the race with purity.

3. Transformation Is the Preparation for the Seal

Ellen White connects character transformation with the final sealing:

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them.” —5T 214

Thus, contemplation of Christ is not optional—it is the preparatory work for the 144,000.

Change Through Present Truth and Christ’s Righteousness

The Rod emphasizes that the final purification and sealing come to those who behold Christ through His unfolding truth.

1. Looking to Jesus Means Walking in Present Truth

Inspiration highlights the prophetic significance of Hebrews 12:

“Only those who keep their eyes on the One Who leads, and advance with the ever-unfolding Truth, can run the race to the end.” —2TG 45

Thus, faith obtains strength not only by looking at Christ’s character, but also by following His advancing light.

2. Transformation Is Required Before the Kingdom

“None can receive the seal of God who are not reflecting the image of Christ fully.” —SRod, Vol. 2

This mirrors 2 Corinthians 3:18: the 144,000 are those who go through a progressive transformation, stage by stage, “from glory to glory.”

3. The Cloud of Witnesses = The Prophetic Line of Overcomers

Rod literature frequently emphasizes the pattern of the faithful remnant from age to age. Hebrews 12 connects the final generation to the historical overcomers.
Just as Joshua and Caleb stood firm when others melted in fear, so the last-day believers must advance not by sight, but by faith that sees the Invisible.

Consider the Following
How to obtain faith.

❖ The Bible invites us to observe the example of the great heroes of faith, with special attention to Jesus, the supreme example (Heb. 12:1-2).

❖ By studying the lives of people of faith like Caleb and Joshua, we learn to trust God as they did; to be humble as they were; to bear witness to the truth with courage, as they did.

❖ But how can we be transformed? The Bible is clear: by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us. (2 Cor. 3:18). This is an active work. We must choose to be transformed and, like Caleb, get to work. We are called to be living sacrifices for God (Rom. 12:1-2).

Prophetic Application for the Final Generation

1. The Race Is the Final Work for the 144,000

Hebrews 12 frames the Christian life as a prophetic race—one that ends in the finishing of the gospel, the purification of the church, and the establishment of God’s kingdom.

Joshua and Caleb entered the land because they beheld divine power more than human obstacles.
Likewise, the end-time church enters spiritual Canaan through:

A renewed mind
A cleansed heart
A steadfast gaze on Christ
A willingness to move as the Spirit directs

2. Every Hindrance Must Be Laid Aside

Weights are not only sins; they are:

Doubts
Traditions
Fear
Human opinions
Spiritual indifference

Everything that competes for the mind must be renounced if one is to run the final lap of prophetic history.

3. Perseverance Is the Proof of Genuine Faith

The final generation must “run with patience.”
The great controversy intensifies before victory.
The sealing comes only to those who endure the sifting process.

4. Contemplation Produces Courage for Purification

Only a character continually exposed to Christ’s glory can stand during:

The purification of the church (Ezek. 9)
The Loud Cry
The shaking of Laodicea
The final proclamation to the world

The more we behold Christ, the less the world can move us.

Conclusion – Fixing the Eyes on Jesus to Finish the Work

Hebrews 12:1–2 is not merely spiritual counsel; it is a prophetic charge to the last generation.

To behold Christ is to receive:

His righteousness
His faith
His perseverance
His victory
His seal

To turn our eyes away is to fall into the same unbelief that doomed ancient Israel.

Thus the prophetic call today is:

“Look to Jesus. Behold His glory. Follow His advancing truth. Be changed into His image. Run the race. Finish the work.”

This is how faith is obtained, strengthened, perfected, and sealed.

Friday – November 21, 2025

Further Prophetic Insights and Study

I. The Larger Spiritual Landscape—Faith as the Final Test of God’s People

The week’s lessons reveal that faith is the defining mark of God’s triumphant remnant.
Joshua and Caleb exemplify the last-day believers who will stand when the rest of the church falters.

Biblical Pattern

Caleb stands firm when the majority collapses in fear (Num. 13–14).
Joshua receives his inheritance last, showing humility in leadership (Josh. 19:49).
Aksah continues the legacy, revealing that genuine faith multiplies into the next generation (Josh. 15:16–19).

This story encapsulates the experience of the 144,000, the faithful minority who will overcome when modern Israel passes through the crisis.

“Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12

SOP – The Joshua-Caleb Spirit Needed to Finish the Work

1. Faith That Refuses to Be Defeated

Ellen White repeatedly urges the church to cultivate the spirit of Caleb, described as:

“An unwavering trust in God, a holy boldness, and a refusal to be intimidated by obstacles.”
—PP 513–514

In the final crisis, when the spies (leaders) of today give discouraging reports, the church must stand on the promises of God—not on circumstances.

2. The Joshua Leadership Model

Joshua typifies the leadership needed in the sealing time:

Selfless
Courageous
Obedient
Spirit-led
Unmoved by human praise

From him we learn that victory is never based on talent but on submission to God’s command.

3. Transformation Through Contemplation Is the Seal Preparation

This entire week culminates on Thursday’s truth:

“By beholding we are changed.” —GC 555

Ellen White emphasizes that only those transformed by the image of Christ will receive the seal (5T 214).

Thus, the Joshua-Caleb experience becomes the template for the last generation’s spiritual preparation.

The Remnant Pattern & the Final Harvest

Inspiration consistently identifies Joshua and Caleb as prophetic types of the faithful remnant in the last days.

1. The Two Faithful Witnesses Within the Church

The Rod emphasizes:

“Among the great multitude of professed believers, only a few will stand firmly for all truth—Joshua and Caleb of today.”
—SRod Vol. 1

This means that the majority report in the church (as in ancient Israel) often:

Improves unbelief
Magnifies giants
Minimizes God’s promises
Resists Present Truth
Discourages obedience

But the faithful minority presses forward, urging God’s people to enter the spiritual Canaan—the purified kingdom church.

2. The Hill Country = The Kingdom Realm

Caleb’s request, “Give me this hill country” (Josh. 14:12), is treated in the Rod as symbolic of the purified church—the premillennial kingdom where the faithful receive their lot first.

“The antitypical Joshua and Caleb class receive their portion in the purified church before the great multitude enters.”
—Timely Greetings

Thus, Caleb represents the 144,000 who receive their reward and work as the leadership core of the Loud Cry.

3. Passing the Torch: Aksah & Othniel

Rod literature points out that faith always produces successors. Caleb’s courage inspires Othniel, the first judge after Joshua, symbolizing how:

The purified leaders
Raise purified successors
To continue the work of deliverance

This is the order of the final movement—a leadership purified, then multiplied.

Prophetic Synthesis—What God Is Saying to His People Today

1. The Faith of Caleb = The Seal of the Living God

Caleb’s three traits correspond to the three marks of the 144,000:

Caleb

144,000

Wholly followed the Lord

Fully surrendered (Rev. 14:5)

Stood firm against church unbelief

Stand through shaking

Desired the hill country

Receive the kingdom first

This is not history—it is prophecy unfolding again.

2. The Joshua Model = The End-Time Shepherd-Leader

True leaders today are not those seeking position, but those willing to:

Carry burdens
Take the last place (like Joshua receiving his portion last)
Serve instead of being served
Advance God’s truth regardless of opposition

The Rod stresses that the last leaders must be of this kind—pure, humble, Spirit-led, and fearless.

3. Unbelief Still Delays the Journey

The greatest prophetic warning from this week is this:

The journey was delayed 40 years—because the majority refused to believe.
The same danger confronts the SDA Church today (see TM 106–107).

Unbelief in Present Truth
Unbelief in the prophetic message
Unbelief in God’s power
Unbelief in the purification of the church

These may again delay God’s work unless we adopt the spirit of Joshua and Caleb.

Practical and Prophetic Calls to Action

1. Behold Christ to Become Like Him -- 2 Cor. 3:18; Hebrews 12:2

This is the only path to the seal, the kingdom, and victory.

2. Stand for Truth Though the Majority Stands Against It -- Numbers 14:6–10; TM 37–38

Faith is proven by courage.

3. Claim the Hill Country—Advance With Present Truth -- Joshua 14:12; SRod Vol. 2

The purified church is the goal.
The Loud Cry is the mission.
The 144,000 are the pattern.

4. Prepare Successors—Pass the Torch Forward -- Joshua 15:16–19; Judges 3:7–11

Faith must multiply.
Truth must continue.
The movement must advance.

Final Prophetic Thought

The Joshua-Caleb experience is not simply a story—it is a prophetic blueprint for the sealing of God’s people.

Caleb’s bold cry still echoes:

“Give me this mountain!”

And heaven answers:

“To the faithful, the mountain shall be given.”

For only those who fully follow the Lord will enter the kingdom, receive the seal, lead the final work, and finish the gospel proclamation in power and glory.

From the Pen of Inspiration
“Today we need men of thorough fidelity, men who follow the Lord fully, men who are not disposed to be silent when they ought to speak, who are as true as steel to principle, who do not seek to make a pretentious show, but who walk humbly with God, patient, kind, obliging, courteous men, who understand that the science of prayer is to exercise faith and show works that will tell to the glory of God and the good of His people.... To follow Jesus requires wholehearted conversion at the start, and a repetition of this conversion every day.

It was Caleb’s faith in God that gave him courage, that kept him from the fear of man, and enabled him to stand boldly and unflinchingly in the defense of the right. Through reliance on the same power, the mighty General of the armies of heaven, every true soldier of the cross may receive strength and courage to overcome the obstacles that seem insurmountable. EGW ( Sons and Daughters of God , July 19)

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SS25-Q4-L8 - Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb—November 15–21

The Purpose of This Week’s Lesson

1. To Restore a Spirit of Unwavering Faith in God’s Promises

2. To Teach Victory Over the Spiritual “Giants” of Today

3. To Call God’s People Into Total Consecration and Transformation

4. To Emphasize Persevering Prayer and Endurance

5. To Restore Respect and Submission to God-Appointed Leadership

6. To Prepare the Final Generation to Enter the Antitypical Promised Land

Summary Purpose Statement

The Biblical Foundation: Caleb’s Faith Against All Odds

1. Faith That Sees the Invisible

2. A Different Spirit

3. Faithfulness Rewarded

1. Standing Firm Amid Apostasy

2. Faith That Raises a Standard

3. Wholehearted Obedience

1. Caleb as Type of the Faithful Servant

2. Loyalty Against Internal Opposition

3. The “Different Spirit” and the End-Time Movement

1. The Giants Before Us

2. The Melting Heart vs. the Wholehearted

3. Reclaiming the Mountains

4. Faithfulness Makes the Impossible Possible

In the Bible: he stands when others fall.

In SOP: he typifies the true overcomers.

In the inspiration: he symbolizes the purified leadership who will stand in the Kingdom.

Conclusion

1. Faith that Remembers the Promise

2. Faith that Confronts Giants

3. Faith that Produces Courage

4. Faith that Reveals the Heart (Luke 6:45)

5. Faith that Avoids the Pitfalls of Presumption

1. A Man of “Unwavering Faith”

2. Wholehearted Consecration

3. A Symbol of Those Who Enter the Heavenly Canaan

1. Caleb as a Type of the Faithful in the Purified Church

2. The Hill Country as a Symbol of the Kingdom Establishment

3. Caleb’s Spirit = The Spirit of the Final Reformation

4. Overcoming the Giants = Overcoming the Opposition Within

1. “Give Me This Mountain” = Claiming Difficult Missions

2. Giants Represent Today’s Spiritual Obstacles

3. The Faith That Acts Will Finish the Work

The Prophetic Value of a Godly Example

1. Aksah and Othniel — Faith Passed Down (Josh. 15:16–19)

A. Othniel — A Faithful Warrior

B. Aksah — A Woman of Holy Boldness

Othniel Rises

1. Leadership by Example

2. The Torch Passed Down

3. Legacy of Courage

4. Persevering Prayer (Luke 18:1–5)

1. The Remnant Leadership Inspires the Next Generation

2. Aksah as a Symbol of the Church Asking for the Spirit

3. Othniel as a Type of the First Deliverers in the Kingdom Setup

1. The SDA Church Needs Calebs Today

2. The Next Generation Needs the Torch

3. Spiritual Boldness Is Contagious

4. Persistent Prayer Completes the Torch

The Humility of a Great Leader

1. Joshua Receives His Inheritance Last (Josh. 19:49–51)

2. The Residue of the Curtains (Exod. 26:12) — Symbol of Selflessness

3. Psalm 27:4 — The True Desire of a Humble Leader

1. A Pattern of True Leadership

2. Joshua’s Humility Prepared Him for Greater Faith

3. Joshua Points to the Leaders in the Sealing Time

1. Joshua as a Type of the Faithful Leadership After Purification

2. Joshua Receives His Portion Last — A Prophetic Symbol

3. Joshua’s Humility = the Spirit of the 144,000

4. Joshua’s Work of Dividing the Land = The Final Reorganization

1. Humility Is the Mark of God’s Final Leaders

2. Leadership Must Come After Service

3. God Will Reward the Faithful—But at the Right Time

4. The Presence of God Matters More than the Possession of the Land

Conclusion

Faith Is Formed by Focus—The Law of the Mind

Biblical Foundation

1. Change Comes Only by Beholding Christ

2. The Race Requires Perseverance

3. Transformation Is the Preparation for the Seal

Change Through Present Truth and Christ’s Righteousness

SS25-Q4-L8 - Giants of Faith: Joshua and Caleb
—November 15–21