God Delivers Caleb’s Promised Land
January 27, 2022
Commentary
The actual dividing of Canaan, “the promised land” gets underway. This was the long-awaited hour. This was the goal which Israel had so long been pressing for. The land was to be divided now, according to Moses’ instructions, even though there remained yet “very much land to be possessed” (13:1). Before crossing the Jordan, a concession had been made to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh to occupy the land on the east side of the Jordan.
Now the remaining distribution of Canaan was made by Joshua with the help of Eleazar the priest and a prince from each of the tribes (Num. 34:16-29). The Lord had instructed Moses that each tribe was to receive territory proportionate to its population, with the casting of lots to determine the location (Num. 26:54-56). No complaint could be made that these men were partial or prejudiced, as there was certainly to be some inequities of assignments. So, we too must accept our lot in life. Of course, there are inequities in intelligence, physical appearance, talents, personality, material possessions, etc.
Before the lots were cast Caleb reminded Joshua of the promise the Lord had made to him 45 years earlier: “To him and to his sons I will give the land on which he has set his foot because he has followed the Lord fully.” For his leadership against the unbelieving spies and people, God singled Caleb out for blessing and promised him a special reward (Num. 14:24). Caleb was one of the spiritual giants in Scripture who would not be intimidated by the giants of the enemy when there was land to be claimed. Caleb at age 85 stands before this mountain and we hear him say, “Give me this mountain” (v. 12). Just reading these words challenges my heart to do great things for God.
Application
Caleb did not let the age of 85 get in his way. I want to continually be looking at the life of Caleb and see if I can detect characteristics in his life that I can emulate. Joshua followed God’s instructions precisely in dividing the land. I believe God wants me to follow His instructions also.
Joshua 14:1– 15 (NET)
1 The following is a record of the territory assigned to the Israelites in the land of Canaan by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the Israelite tribal leaders. 2 The land assignments to the nine-and-a-half tribes were made by drawing lots, as the Lord had instructed Moses. 3 Now Moses had assigned land to the two-and-a-half tribes east of the Jordan, but he assigned no land to the Levites. 4 The descendants of Joseph were considered as two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites were allotted no territory, though they were assigned cities in which to live, along with the grazing areas for their cattle and possessions. 5 The Israelites followed the Lord’s instructions to Moses and divided up the land.
6 The men of Judah approached Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said about you and me to Moses, the man of God, at Kadesh Barnea. 7 I was forty years old when Moses, the Lord’s servant, sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy on the land and I brought back to him an honest report. 8 My countrymen who accompanied me frightened the people, but I remained loyal to the Lord my God. 9 That day Moses made this solemn promise: ‘Surely the land on which you walked will belong to you and your descendants permanently, for you remained loyal to the Lord your God.’ 10 So now, look, the Lord has preserved my life, just as he promised, these past forty-five years since the Lord spoke these words to Moses, while Israel traveled through the wilderness. See here, I am today eighty-five years old! 11 Today I am still as strong as when Moses sent me out. I can fight and go about my daily activities with the same energy I had then. 12 Now, assign me this hill country that the Lord promised me at that time! No doubt you heard then that the Anakites live there in large, fortified cities. But assuming the Lord is with me, I will conquer them, as the Lord promised.” 13 Joshua asked God to empower Caleb son of Jephunneh and assigned him Hebron. 14 So Hebron remains the assigned land of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this very day because he remained loyal to the Lord God of Israel. 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba. Arba was a famous Anakite.) Then the land was free of war.