Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Soul (07/13/06)
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TITLE: Sole Survivors | Previous Challenge Entry
By Laura Wilkinson
07/17/06 -
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“On the day of Passover, we are to stay dressed. Keep our sandals on. Isn’t
that what Moses told us ten days ago?” Caleb asked.
“Yes,” Joshua agreed. “He relies on what God tells him. But we must not go
ahead of God. We must not leave our houses until morning.”
“I would love to leave during the nighttime, to take no more risks with the
tricks of Pharoah. Yet, I know God’s timing is best.” Caleb leaned to
kiss Joshua on one cheek, then the other.“Shalom!” he said. “God be with us.”
Later, everything happened so quickly. The Israelites learned that,indeed,
there would not be time to change clothes or sandals. The head of every Jewish
household had been told to hurry home and paint a bloody “x” on the top and
both sides of their doorframe. Blood dipped in hyssop. Blood from a lamb
without spot or blemish. That was the only way they would escape the death that
awaited every firstborn child and animal in Egypt.
Caleb had taken Moses’ instructions to heart. He could not comprehend the
grief that might come if death overtook his own firstborn. At thirty-seven,
he also hoped for many years of life, many more adventures. BUt, oh, he knew
better than to take life for granted. The stench of death was still in his
nostrils, as many of his Egyptian friends had perished during the previous
plagues.
And now he waited. He had done his part, his family theirs. Still he
couldn't help wonder, "How can blood over the doorposts save the firstborn
children and animals from the wrath of God?" It seemed so illogical. But
then, much of God’s workings made no sense to him. At least not then.
********
The heat rising up from the dessert floor was nearly unbearable. Caleb looked
down at his sandals, thanking God once more that they were still intact.
The leather served as a coolant, a protector between his feet and the rough,
hot sand.
Caleb remembered God’s promise as though it were yesterday, though they had
been wandering for nearly three years now: “I will provide you with food and
drink. Your clothes, even your sandals, will last until you reach the Promised
Land where so much abundance awaits you. Meanwhile, you must trust me.”
Caleb was convinced they had been in the wilderness much longer than God had
intended. But, as a faithful servant of God, he was learning that God has a
purpose for everything. The last three years – and a pair of sandals that had
not only remained intact, but had stretched to accommodate the bony changes of
his feet, were proof enough of God’s faithfulness.
They were near the land now. And Caleb had never known such excitement. He
couldn't believe he was one of the chosen twelve who would go ahead to spy
out the land, to claim what God had already promised.
Joshua walked over from his tent. “Hurry, Caleb. We can walk faster than the
older men, so we should be at the front of the line, setting the pace.”
“I’m ready!” Caleb said. “I was just staring at my feet.” He pointed downward.
“Thinking of how God cares for our soles.”
Joshua grinned and tapped his chest, right above his heart. “Yes, I know. More
than anything, He takes care of our souls – our very lives. Both now and in
the days to come.”
If it had been fitting for a man of God to cry over sentiment, Caleb
would have done so. Instead, he jabbed at Joshua’s shoulder, grateful for a
friend who was a friend of God and a true soul-mate.
“Come, now. We will conquer the land!” Joshua declared.
Caleb drew in a deep breath – the breath of life that God had once breathed
into Adam – and quickly followed.
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