Caleb

Joshua 14:6-15

Even though everyone was warned about not taking anything from Jericho, a man named Achan could not resist and took a mantle and some silver and gold and hid them in the ground. Not knowing this and thinking that they could defeat the city of Ai easily, the Israelites attacked and were defeated with thirty-six killed.

Joshua called out to the LORD and was informed that someone had sinned against the LORD by taking things from Jericho, and that was the reason for their defeat. The LORD let them know that it was Achan. Achan confessed and was dealt with along with his family.

Then the LORD gave clear battle instructions to Joshua, who carried it out to victory over Ai. Joshua then built an altar to the LORD and renewed their covenant.

The people of Gibeon had heard what Joshua, and the Israelites did to Jericho and Ai, and were afraid. Some of the men tricked Joshua into believing that they were from far away and made a covenant of peace and protection. When Joshua found out that he was tricked, he kept the covenant but forced the Gibeonites to become their servants.

There were many battles, and the LORD gave them victory and the fighting ceased. Then as Moses promised, Joshua allotted land east of the River Jordan to the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh.

Now it was time to divide up the promised land, which was to the west of the Jordan. The LORD commanded that they cast lots for the inheritance for the nine and one-half tribes. This was to make the people understand that it was the LORD who was determining which tribe settled where.

We now come to this morning’s passage where Caleb receives his portion of the land allotted to Judah (Caleb represented the tribe of Judah to spy out the land back in Numbers 13).

Caleb makes his case:

• When he and the eleven other representatives spied out the land, he gave an honest report and urged the people to move forward, but ten of the spies put fear in the hearts of the people and they refused to enter.
• Moses promised the land to Caleb because of Caleb’s loyalty to the LORD and his willingness to carry out the LORD’s commands.
• The LORD has kept Caleb healthy and strong, even though he was now eighty-five years old, and now will drive out the Anakim, the race of giants that Israel had feared so much

Joshua blesses Caleb and gives him the land that was promised, and Caleb is successful in driving out the Anakim and bringing the land rest from war.

From the first time we are introduced to Caleb, we see that he is a man who has complete faith in not only the LORD’s power but also that the LORD will keep His promises. This makes Caleb utterly faithful, loyal and courageous.

We do not see Caleb acting on his own. He is forever waiting for instructions from the LORD and then following them. When he spied out the land, he saw the same obstacles that the others saw. But instead of being afraid for them and their children, he was so sure that LORD would give them victory, he urged them to go forward.

When the tribe of Judah was allotted their land, Caleb saw that the land the LORD had promised him as his inheritance was included and reminded Joshua. And taking possession of Hebron, Caleb was able to clear his portion of all the former inhabitants, as commanded by God.

When the Israelites first came to the border of the promised land, Caleb was the first to declare that the LORD would give them the land and that they should go in. Joshua joins him later to try to persuade the people. But the people are too fearful, and they refuse.

Caleb and Joshua are the only two to be allowed into the promised land after the forty years in the wilderness. Caleb is a warrior and utterly fearless. In many ways, we could see him leading Israel into the promised land, but that role is given to Joshua. We do not see any signs of jealousy or discontent about this. Even when he has to suffer wandering in the wilderness with all the people who lacked faith in the LORD. All he does is obediently and successfully carry out all the tasks that are given to him.

We could learn much from Caleb. When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven, and we are promised eternity with our LORD and our brothers and sisters in Christ. But until we leave this life behind, we have been given the task of being witnesses for the LORD and point others to the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

There may be times we do not necessarily like or want the tasks given to us, but let us pray that the Holy Spirit will give us the love and power sufficient to carry them out. Let us go on serving the LORD in the same way that Caleb did – V. 14 tells us that “he wholeheartedly followed the LORD.”

(the above is a summary of the message shared by Pastor Shun Takano during worship on March 9, 2025.)