SIVAN 15
On Being Different
“But
My servant Kalĕḇ, because he has a DIFFERENT SPIRIT in him
and has followed Me completely, I shall bring into the land where he went, and
his seed shall inherit it.” (Num 14:24, emphasis mine)
This verse of Scripture has fascinated me for years. What was it about this man, that he would
have a “different spirit” in him? What
made Kalěb stand out from among the rest of the men? What was it about him that Elohim would make
sure that he received an inheritance in the land?
Obedience. Kalěb followed Elohim and His Torah “completely”. He was totally sold out to his Creator, and knew Him whom he believed in. And I honestly believe that the “different spirit” Kalěb had was his willingness to be obedient, gladly so. These were the qualities that made Kalěb different.
The Hebrew word that has been translated as “different” is 'achêr (Strong’s H312), and is closely tied in with the word “followed”, as that is what 'achêr implies. Quoting directly from the TSK Commentary, “Caleb had another spirit; not only a bold, generous, courageous, noble, and heroic spirit, but the Spirit and influence of God, which thus raised him above human inquietudes and earthly fears. Therefore he followed God fully; literally, "and he filled after me:" God shewed him the way he was to take and the line of conduct he was to pursue, and he filled up this line, and in all things followed the will of his Maker.”[1]
Many of us are faithful to walk this Torah walk; however, is it something we do out of habit or obligation? Do we recognize the ‘love letter’ that our Creator and King wrote to us within the pages and words of Torah? Is there something noticeably different about us, and the way we live, apart from eating kosher and keeping the seventh day Shabbat? And do we keep these observances with joy and excitement, or are they just rules and regulations that must be followed?
Several decades ago, in a conservation with a local Baptist deacon, I was set back on my heels, and horribly convicted. This is the statement the man made to me: “I see nothing in the lives of you Messianics that I am even interested in; you are no different than any of the other sects of religion out there. You fight and squabble amongst yourselves; play the hypocrite while preaching one thing and doing another; and claim that your way is the only way. No, you are no different.”
Brethren, this ought not to be so. It is my heartfelt desire to be the one who is different, to always be joyfully obedient to my Abba Father, to be the light that Messiah desires me to be, and to be the ambassador of Torah, both the written and the Living. Would that we all would pursue the goal of having a “different spirit”, as Kalěb did.
©2022
[1] Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
by Canne, Browne, Blayney, Scott, and others, with introduction by R. A. Torrey.
Published in 1834; public domain.
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