As a child, I never cared for my name. It was uncommon then,
and still is today. It has no family history, and when I inquired about the
reason they named me as they did, I recall my parents saying they just liked
the name. Why, I wondered. It doesn’t really have a meaning attached to it. I
felt rather empty, knowing that others had been given names based on tradition,
or heart-felt rational with meaning and purpose attached to the title their
child would live with day after day. Even as an adult, I find myself wondering
if my life would have somehow been different had I been given a strong, well
respected name.
What does your name mean?
Caleb means Faithful, Bold, Pure Heart
That’s pretty cool. I would have liked a name with a meaning
like that!
Our reading in Joshua today focuses on Caleb and the way he
followed the Lord whole-heartedly. Synonyms for whole-heartedly are: entirely,
with all your heart, unreservedly, undivided, enthusiastically, completely,
unconditionally, sincerely, very sincerely. The meaning of his name surely reflects his
ability to live life with gusto and purpose. In fact, because of his
faithfulness to God, Caleb told of being eighty-five years old with the
strength and vigor he possessed the day Moses sent him out to battle over forty
years prior. Because of his dedication to the Lord, Caleb was blessed with many
things, including an inheritance for him and his descendants that was promised
to him by Moses. Caleb fought long and hard for God’s purpose, and his life was
surely filled with trials and heartache. Can you relate? When it was all said
and done though, he received just what was promised, and as it says at the end
of Joshua 14:15, “Then the land had
rest from war.”
Read Joshua 14:6-15 here
Listen to Joshua 14:6-15 here
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