Jos 14:10-11 | KingComments | STEP | The first to report to take possession of their part of the land are the Judeans. Yet we do not hear of the desire of the whole tribe, but of only one man. Often it is only one in a family or a few in the local church. But this can also make others enthusiastic. As one of the heads of the households ( ) Caleb not only supervises a fair distribution, but also asks for an inheritance for himself. It is understandable that Caleb comes first. He has been looking forward to this moment for forty-five years. He is now eighty-five. His enthusiasm has remained unabated. The hope of the fulfilment of what has been promised to him has given him strength to experience the wilderness journey without complaining. He is an example that expecting the Lord, and of what He has promised, gives strength for the walk ( ). His strength does not lie in past victories. He doesn’t lean on passed glory, by telling impressive stories from a long time ago. No, Caleb is still full of energy to achieve new victories of faith. He is still as strong as he was then. When one grows old it is not necessary that the spiritual strength diminishes. On the contrary. The testimony that Caleb gives to Joshua is not only about the past, but also and especially about now. He is a Kenizzite. In Genesis 15 the Kenizzite are mentioned as a tribe living in Canaan ( ). But it is also possible that it is the indication of a family in Judah. His ancestors have presumably entered in among the people of God. And precisely this man is such a great example. Many who did not grow up in the midst of God’s people often show a greater desire for spiritual blessing than those who grew up in among them. This can embarrass us. Caleb is still called the Kenizzite. Caleb first reminds Joshua of the word the LORD has spoken to Moses about him ( ). Then he recalls that Moses, in accordance with what the LORD has said, has promised him an inheritance as a reward for his faithfulness ( ; ). For Caleb, all these are not empty words. He is now going to claim what has been promised to him. This is language to the heart of the LORD. Caleb means ‘wholeheartedly’. That’s how he did everything and that’s how he still does it. Nor should we be lukewarm Christians. He recounts how he did it, forty-five years ago, when he was sent out to spy out the land and his co-spies had melted the hearts of the people. He has remained dedicated to his mission with all his heart ( ). Moses has confirmed that he has followed the LORD fully ( ). That dedication is still there when he stands here before Joshua. Because of this dedication he receives Hebron ( ). Caleb is mentioned many times together with Joshua. All those who are so dedicated are also always united with the true Joshua, the Lord Jesus, and mentioned in one breath with Him. Joshua is also a picture of the leader. The connection between Joshua and Caleb also shows the combination of dedicated leadership in the church. Leader of the people is he who has taken possession of the blessings through battle and lives in heavenly things. It is not a question of a strong personality, of reasoning talent or organizational ability, but of dedication to and connectedness with the Lord Jesus. Caleb has perseverance. He has seen many people fall in the wilderness. All of his age have died. He is an exception, together with Joshua. He is now an old man, but not tired of days. It will not always have been easy for him to wait, but he has lived by the word the LORD has spoken. God’s Word has worked in him perseverance and the confidence that God is working in behalf of him ( ). Now he still has to persevere because he doesn’t have it yet. He has yet to conquer it. But he confidently declares that he will succeed. He wants the territory with giants and fortified cities. He sees the reality, it is not proudness. But he counts on the faithfulness of the LORD. In modesty, he speaks of “perhaps” ( ). He does not count on his own strength, however strong he feels, but on the LORD. But if the LORD is with him, there is no doubt whatsoever about the outcome with him. Caleb is not haughty. Pride is a danger that increases as the years go by. The warning “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” ( ) is addressed to young men in faith. But although these three dangers are especially true for the young men, a broader application is certainly permitted. It is dangerous to say that others have nothing to do with what is special for a particular stage of growth. Fathers and children in faith should also take to heart the warning to the young men. In connection with the phases of spiritual growth which John speaks about in his first letter – little children, young men and fathers ( ) – we can say the following: for the little children of faith, “the desire of the flesh” is particularly dangerous, for the young men, it is “the desire of the eyes”, and for the fathers in Christ, the adult believers, it is the “pride of life”.

‏ Joshua 14:10-11

Caleb Asks for What Is Promised to Him

The first to report to take possession of their part of the land are the Judeans. Yet we do not hear of the desire of the whole tribe, but of only one man. Often it is only one in a family or a few in the local church. But this can also make others enthusiastic. As one of the heads of the households (Jos 14:1) Caleb not only supervises a fair distribution, but also asks for an inheritance for himself.

It is understandable that Caleb comes first. He has been looking forward to this moment for forty-five years. He is now eighty-five. His enthusiasm has remained unabated. The hope of the fulfilment of what has been promised to him has given him strength to experience the wilderness journey without complaining. He is an example that expecting the Lord, and of what He has promised, gives strength for the walk (Isa 40:31).

His strength does not lie in past victories. He doesn’t lean on passed glory, by telling impressive stories from a long time ago. No, Caleb is still full of energy to achieve new victories of faith. He is still as strong as he was then. When one grows old it is not necessary that the spiritual strength diminishes. On the contrary. The testimony that Caleb gives to Joshua is not only about the past, but also and especially about now.

He is a Kenizzite. In Genesis 15 the Kenizzite are mentioned as a tribe living in Canaan (Gen 15:19). But it is also possible that it is the indication of a family in Judah. His ancestors have presumably entered in among the people of God. And precisely this man is such a great example. Many who did not grow up in the midst of God’s people often show a greater desire for spiritual blessing than those who grew up in among them. This can embarrass us. Caleb is still called the Kenizzite.

Caleb first reminds Joshua of the word the LORD has spoken to Moses about him (Jos 14:7). Then he recalls that Moses, in accordance with what the LORD has said, has promised him an inheritance as a reward for his faithfulness (Jos 14:9; Deu 1:36). For Caleb, all these are not empty words. He is now going to claim what has been promised to him. This is language to the heart of the LORD.

Caleb means ‘wholeheartedly’. That’s how he did everything and that’s how he still does it. Nor should we be lukewarm Christians. He recounts how he did it, forty-five years ago, when he was sent out to spy out the land and his co-spies had melted the hearts of the people. He has remained dedicated to his mission with all his heart (Jos 14:8). Moses has confirmed that he has followed the LORD fully (Jos 14:9). That dedication is still there when he stands here before Joshua. Because of this dedication he receives Hebron (Jos 14:14).

Caleb is mentioned many times together with Joshua. All those who are so dedicated are also always united with the true Joshua, the Lord Jesus, and mentioned in one breath with Him. Joshua is also a picture of the leader. The connection between Joshua and Caleb also shows the combination of dedicated leadership in the church. Leader of the people is he who has taken possession of the blessings through battle and lives in heavenly things. It is not a question of a strong personality, of reasoning talent or organizational ability, but of dedication to and connectedness with the Lord Jesus.

Caleb has perseverance. He has seen many people fall in the wilderness. All of his age have died. He is an exception, together with Joshua. He is now an old man, but not tired of days. It will not always have been easy for him to wait, but he has lived by the word the LORD has spoken. God’s Word has worked in him perseverance and the confidence that God is working in behalf of him (Isa 64:4). Now he still has to persevere because he doesn’t have it yet. He has yet to conquer it. But he confidently declares that he will succeed.

He wants the territory with giants and fortified cities. He sees the reality, it is not proudness. But he counts on the faithfulness of the LORD. In modesty, he speaks of “perhaps” (Jos 14:12). He does not count on his own strength, however strong he feels, but on the LORD. But if the LORD is with him, there is no doubt whatsoever about the outcome with him.

Caleb is not haughty. Pride is a danger that increases as the years go by. The warning “for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1Jn 2:16) is addressed to young men in faith. But although these three dangers are especially true for the young men, a broader application is certainly permitted.

It is dangerous to say that others have nothing to do with what is special for a particular stage of growth. Fathers and children in faith should also take to heart the warning to the young men. In connection with the phases of spiritual growth which John speaks about in his first letter – little children, young men and fathers (1Jn 2:12-18) – we can say the following: for the little children of faith, “the desire of the flesh” is particularly dangerous, for the young men, it is “the desire of the eyes”, and for the fathers in Christ, the adult believers, it is the “pride of life”.