In Joshua 14:6-15, Israel had come into the promised land of Canaan and had conquered much of it. It was time to divide the land among the tribes. Caleb, who with Joshua were the only two men who entered the land from the older generation, looks to claim a promise that had been given him by God through Moses. Caleb’s performance is certainly the reason why he was blessed by God.
Verses 6-8 states that he followed God completely. This was evident as he and Joshua many years earlier stood against all the people in believing that God could deliver the land to them. Because of this, Moses promised him, “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it” (Numbers 14:24).
Caleb petitioned Moses for his blessing. He said, “Now, therefore, give me this mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:12). In vv. 13-15, Joshua announced that the land was to be given to Caleb as promised. Caleb’s narrative illustrates a New Testament principle very well. Jesus promised that not everyone who pretended to be righteous would enter heaven. Only those who did God’s will would be accepted (Matthew 7:21-23).
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Kyle Campbell
