Joshua 14

10–12 Though Caleb was eighty-five years old,⁵⁶ he was still in vigorous health. The land he had asked for had been inhabited by Anakites, very large and powerful men (Numbers13:28,32–33;Deuteronomy 9:1–3); earlier, under Joshua’s leadership, the Anakites had mostly been destroyed (Joshua 11:21–22). But if any were left, Caleb was confident that with the Lord’s help he would be able to drive them out (verse 12).

13–15 So Caleb was given the city of Hebron, located within the tribal allotment of Judah, Caleb’s tribe (see Joshua 15:13–14).

Let us consider Caleb’s life; he, like Joshua, was one of the greatest men of Israel. Where the ten faithless spies saw only giants, Caleb saw God (Numbers 13:3031). The spies walked by sight; Caleb walked by faith. They saw obstacles; he saw opportunity. The ten spies and that entire generation of faithless Israelites died in the desert; only Caleb and Joshua entered the land and received their inheritance.

During those thirty-eight years in the desert, Caleb’s faith was surely tested. But his mind and heart were set on the promised land. Caleb exemplified the Apostle Paul’s word to the Colossians (and to us): . . . set your hearts on things above (Colossians 3:1–4).

As for us, when we find ourselves passing through the “desert,” let us follow Caleb’s example. Caleb was totally yielded to God. He believed in God’s promises. He kept his mind focused on his destination and he depended on God to help him reach it. If we do these things, we too will come through into the promised land. . . . thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).