Jesus, the dog and the children

In most cultures calling someone a dog is the ultimate insult.

Similarly, calling someone a child or childish, offends that person maximally. 

However, in the economy of Jesus this is not true and we may even find that the exact opposite is appropriate.

There is this cool, prophetic history in the book of Numbers (13 and 14) which resulted in Joshua and Caleb being the only ones from their generation to enter the promised land - Joshua and the dog ... and the children from the younger generation.

How is this significant?

When the Israelites rebelled after the spies returned from surveying the promised land, it was Caleb who immediately acted and stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Caleb silenced those who were protesting against their own freedom and encouraged them by telling them that they are well-abled with YHVH.

What was the very first response by God?

Except for my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Num 14:24)

Only the dog will enter freedom. Caleb means dog.

None of these self righteous, law-abiders will enter in.

Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. How significant?!

From the tribe of praise, the dog son of the prepared one. This does sound an awful lot like me! Yah'shua, born from the tribe of Juda, the Prepared One Who saves the world, those who follow Him!

Let's dig into the Hebrew

Caleb in the Hebrew is כלב with the amazing pictograph that reads: The one who receives from the Shepherd, a home. Remember my post on receive here and here?

The dog is the receiver. What an insult to a stubborn, traditional, law-keeping Jew (or any other culture)?

When God responded the second time

When God responded the second time, He elaborates on the picture.

Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (Num 14:30).

The dog and Jesus.

Let's dig into the Hebrew, again

Joshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus. It is יהושוע, the Hand of Grace, consumed, nailed by Grace, revealed.

Can you see it? (I posted about this extensively here, here and here)

So, who were the ones that did not enter in, you may ask

Numbers 13:4-15 mentions them.

Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur - the desolate one from remembrance. 

Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori - the condemner from the dark hole.

Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph - the self-redeemer from where YHVH have made increase.

Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu - the one who escaped from healing.

Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi - the fortune god from the familiar one.

Of the tribe of Joseph, namely, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi - fortune (chance) from the one that leaps.

Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli - the people’s god from the camel one.

Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael - the one who hides from the one who is like a god.

Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi - the withdrawn one from the rich one.

Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi - triumphant god from the depressed one.

What does all this mean and what is the common thread?

Well, if we look closely we’ll see that these guys all stand in stark contrast to Caleb and Joshua.

Caleb is the one who receives from YHVH and does not depend on his own achievements, abilities or self-righteousness. And Joshua is the one who represents Yah'shua, YHVH is the Savior.

All of the rest, in one way or the other, rejects the promise - the free gift, i.e., their salvation and inheritance. They are also those who depend on the lie of deception and self-righteousness.

Look at the original instruction

The instruction to all these leaders of the tribes of Israel was to seek out the promise.

They all saw the promise. They even smelled and touched it. They heard it. They tasted its fruits. For forty days they witnessed the land and those who colonized the inheritance of God’s people, whether they were strong, how they lived and what the resources were.

Only two were willing to take up their God-given authority to proceed to take hold of the promise. They looked beyond their abilities and beheld that which was placed in front of them by God, the Savior - freedom, perfect freedom that can only be received and not earned.

So, forty years later only two of those of a generation who were exposed to pagan gods, slavery and hardship, yet those who were miraculously brought to the promise and even saw the glory of God, entered into the promise. Even Moses (the law), could only witness this promise, this freedom, from afar, standing on Mount Nebo, not being permitted to enter in.

Some find rest

Jesus and the dog … and with them the uncontaminated generation that were below the age of twenty at the time of the great rebellion.

Jesus, the one who receives and the children. The heir and joint-heirs.

Didn’t Jesus say we should be like children and to hinder the children to come to Him?

What do children do?

They just receive the Gift when it is presented to them and do not depend on or contemplate their own strengths, weaknesses and abilities.

Jesus, the dog and the children, all those who received.

HalleluYah!