Twelve spies, sent out by Moses, now stand on the soil of God's eight hundred-year covenant promise to their father, Abraham. A covenant promise declaring a nation and land from Abraham's offspring (Genesis 13:14-18). These spies are in Hebron, the very place where God encountered Abraham with the promise.

As these spies look at Hebron, they are on the verge of making history. The long-awaited fulfillment of the covenant made so long ago is now at hand.

But there is a problem in Hebron. The city where the covenant promise is made and the place where the Patriarchs (Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah) are buried is now populated with warring giants from the descendants of Anak.

Num. 13:21-22 - "So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived…”

Giants stand on promises.

Turning Away From The Promise

This is the great covenant city, Hebron. A legendary city with a hallowed past.

All the spies have to do is believe that God can bring them into this land. The land that God convented with their father, Abraham. All they have to do is believe that God will secure His promise, partner with them, and take care of this fortified city and the warring giants who stand on it.

These spies have seen the demonstration of the raw power of God, deliverance from Egypt, the Red Sea parting, and provision from the earth and sky. With these God-wonders behind them and Hebron before them, surely they would have the faith to believe God could fulfill His promise.

But, shockingly, ten of the twelve spies choose to forfeit the eight hundred year promise. The people appear too strong and the giants too big. Not realizing that covenant costs and giants stand in places where promises are made, these spies give a faithless report.

Num. 13:28,31 “But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 31 ...“We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.”

The ten spies never enter the land that their feet are now under.

What God Promises, He Will Do

Caleb speaks up. He and Joshua were in the exact location, at the exact time, yet they saw things differently. They recognize the giants but believe in God’s promise. The promise, and He who makes the promise, is bigger than the giants.

Somehow they understand a simple truth. What God promises, He fulfills. Nothing stands in His way.

A Generation Who Missed Their Divine Moment

Though Caleb admonished them to reconsider, to trust God, it was too late. The damage is done.

As a result of the faithless, fear-driven testimony of the ten spies, the hearts of the nation melts (Numbers 14:1), their vision of a land flowing with milk and honey is now a sword leading to death. They even decide to head back to Egypt to become once again enslaved.

Swiftly, the faithless, fear-driven spies are killed, the people wander in the desert for forty years, and the promise goes dormant.

This generation misses their moment in history and forfeits their God-designed destiny.

Caleb Conquers Giants

Now let's fast-forward 45 years. Caleb is older now (85), roughed up a bit, but burning with a memory. Israel finally enters the promised land, and Caleb approaches Joshua, Israel's new leader.

He approaches Joshua with a request. First, Caleb reminds Joshua of the promise Moses made to him, saying,

Joshua 14:9 "The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly."

And now it’s time for Caleb to cash in on that promise. It is time to gain honor for the Lord, the patriarchs of old, and the covenant promise made some eight hundred years prior.

1. Caleb never forgets Hebron. - Caleb does not forget God's promise. He keeps it in front of Him.

2. Caleb wants Hebron - Age nor prior mistakes keep Caleb from his pursuit. He did not wallow in missed opportunities; he uses them as a launching pad.

3. Caleb asks for his inheritance, Hebron - Caleb comes under spiritual covering. Joshua champions his heart.

4. Caleb seizes Hebron and defeats the giants- Caleb makes the effort to engage, knowing God is for and with him. Giants fall.

5. Caleb occupies Hebron as his inheritance.

Josh. 14:11-14 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

Josh. 15:14 "From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites — Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai — descendants of Anak."

Caleb is proof that Hebron (any Hebron) can be taken.

It All Comes Down To Choice

We all have a choice. We either believe what God says or cower in fear to the giants that stand in the way.

Your Hebron will most likely have giants standing on it. These giants can be any number of things: fear, scarcity, insecurity, and failure, to name a few.

But keep in mind, your Hebron is God’s promise to you. It’s the place where He encountered you, where He gave you purpose, vision, and His promise, and placed all of it in your heart. He will fulfill what He’s promised.

Refuse to cower in fear to these giants.

Rise, be strong, and be courageous.

Choose God. Choose faith, and courageously move forward!

Ending Thoughts

What have you, or are you, learning about pursuing God’s promises in your own life? Do you think people give up on their promises/dreams too easily? Love to get your thoughts on this. Please let me know in the comments below. :)