Joshua 14
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Joshua 14:6-9, Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’
Caleb was from the tribe of Judah and he had been one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan from the wilderness under Moses. Remember the story from Numbers 14? Only Caleb and Joshua gave a favorable report after the reconnisance mission. The others were too scared, not trusting in God to provide a way for them to take the land. Thus, Caleb and Joshua, now much older men, were the only ones from that generation to enter the promised land.
Caleb asked Joshua for his inheritance which was promised to him by both God and Moses, specifically the hill country of Judah. This would require him purging the area of the remaining Anakites. Caleb insists that even though he is eighty-five, he is still filled with vigor and strength, and is ready for battle. As he was forty-five years earlier, Caleb is faithful and trusting totally and wholeheartedly in God. He has no doubt that God is on his side and he will be victorious in his upcoming battles.
Caleb gives us a beautiful example of a life of faith. He never wavered from believing in God's power and provision, even when those around him did. As he grew older, his faith simply grew stronger. Think about people in your own life. Who do you know that has lived a similarly faithful life? What about their life is faithful? How are they similar to or different from Caleb?
Let's pray...Lord Jesus, we thank you for those people in our lives who give us the example of faithfulness. Help us also grow in our faith, standing firm, confident in our God. Where we are weak, Lord, make us strong. In Your Name, Amen.