Jesus in the Old Testament is a series of posts that will offer my readers a chance to consider pictures or shadows of Jesus in the Old Testament. As mentioned in the introduction to this series, some may be obvious, some may be not so obvious, and some may simply be a facet of the Lord those reading may not have considered previously.

I hope as we venture through this series, we will see the Lord in many wonderful pictures throughout the Old Testament.

Caleb had a different spirit. It is interesting that the very first thing in my research for understanding this characteristic of Caleb, was that “different” (the Hebrew word is אַחֵר ʼachêr) may be translated as another, or even more interesting, is that it is related to the idea of following.

Now Caleb had a different spirit and as God Himself describes Caleb, He reveals the spirit of the rest of the tribes. Caleb was of a “following” spirit, a different spirit than those he lived amongst.

Being of a different spirit brings about many potential problems, conflicts, loneliness, attacks and rewards. We may see some of these hazards in the life of Caleb and how Caleb reflects the Lord in his life and love for God, but for now, let us think of how the Lord Himself was of a different spirit.

Even from birth, Jesus was identified with the very Spirit of God, brought to earthly existence by the Spirit of God. No other man on earth could make this claim.

Jesus was of a different Spirit!

Jesus exhibited a following spirit, a spirit that followed after God in all the Father’s commands.

John 5:19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

Jesus was of a following Spirit!

He submitted to the will of God in all things, even death!

Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Jesus was of an enduring Spirit

Caleb endured through 45 years of waiting, due to the many detours caused by the sin of the nation, wandering about a desert. How frustrating for a man to know the promise of God, and yet not to act on it!

Jesus also knew the will of God, and in the midst of the nation called by God, gifted by God, protected by God and led by God, found disappointment, frustration and exasperation in dealing with such a blessed nation. Yet Jesus endured through this to the very cross, enduring even through the greatest injustice mankind has exercised on an innocent man.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Caleb was of a different spirit, but Caleb was but a minor reflection of the greater Spirit found in Jesus.

Jesus was of a different Spirit, a saving Spirit, a loving and patient Spirit, and for that we can be eternally thankful!

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