Photos

This piece on the title Purpose and Passion is inspired by the account of Joshua, Caleb and the other spies when they came back to report on the land of Canaan, in Numbers 13.

The picture depicts the dismal attitude of the other spies, and the people as they hear the report. They see the exaggerated visual imagery of the giant Nephilim, standing at the boundary of the Jordan River as well as the fortified cities. They do not see the lush green landscape, in contrast to the desert that they just came by, nor the fruits they just sampled. Beyond that, they do not see the Sea of Galilee, and the fishing riches within. Even as they have evidence of the land of milk and honey in their hands, they only think of the obstacles.

In the foreground, Joshua and Caleb are reporting their findings to Moses. In contrast to the rest of the people, Joshua and Caleb’s faces are glowing, and they eagerly present the prizes of their survey, the pomegranates, figs, grapes and honey. Some artistic licence is taken here, with the depiction of Joshua and Caleb’s clothing, to distinguish them from the rest of the Israelites. We know that the common clothing of the poor then would be unbleached wool, earth-tone colours. In contrast, Joshua’s cloak holding the riches of the land, is a royal purple, and his and Caleb’s head-cloth are a distinguished blue. Crowding around them, are children with smiling faces, excited at the forth-coming adventure. These children would be the ones to reap the rewards.

In the far view, past the fortified cities, we see a vision of the future nation of Israel, depicted by Jerusalem, with the First and Second Temples, the Palace of David, and further back, the City of God.

Joshua and Caleb’s passion and dedication to their purpose, was not hindered by the immediate obstacles that they saw before them, and enabled the long term realisation of God’s Kingdom.