Chapters 14 through 19 describe the tribal allotments in the land of Canaan. Chapter 14 starts with an inheritance for Caleb and chapter 19 ends this section with Joshua’s allotment (Joshua19:49-50). The first five verses are a summarization of chapter 13. Verses 1-5 give a brief explanation of why only nine and a half tribes received portions in Canaan, and why two and a half tribes received their inheritance east of the Jordan. The patriarch, Joseph, had two sons, Manasseh (who inherited land west of the Jordan) and Ephraim (who inherited land east of the Jordan) who were counted as half-tribes. Notice that nine and a half plus two and a half equals twelve tribes. Verse 3 reminds us that the tribe of Levi was not counted as they were not given land except for two cities to live in. This may appear to be minor details to our eyes but this introduction paragraph in chapter 14 through 19 clearly describe the division of the land in great detail. Dale Ralph Davis says, “Such a matter probably doesn’t interest us much– it’s only a note about obedience. But perhaps it suggests a useful correction—that obedience in the more prosaic duties is just as important to Yahweh as in the more explosive, dynamic events. No command of Yahweh is ever trivial, and, therefore, all obedience is both necessary and significant.”
When the time was right Caleb approached the issue of his inheritance by recalling the Word spoken by God. He said to Joshua, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me.” I do not think this was a statement of pride or entitlement, but rather a simple statement recalling the promise of God. We recall the event where he received this promise—Caleb and Joshua were the two ‘spies’ who stood alone against the majority report. Ten spies said that the land of Canaan could not be conquered. Caleb (Numbers 13:30) gave the favorable report: “Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” We recognize how difficult it must have been to stand up and oppose the majority. And he did not face ridicule only, but also a threat to his life (Numbers 14:6-10—“Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones”). Where did Caleb get this assurance? He believed Yahweh was strong enough to accomplish all that was promised. By quoting God’s Word he demonstrates that he trusted God’s promises. He believed that the Lord was faithful, trustworthy, and intended to do Caleb good. Caleb was courageous because he was trusting in One who is greater, One who is a Redeemer-King who will never leave or forsake His people. Even so, Caleb needed courage to stand and in this chapter, Caleb, by his appeal to for his inheritance, was standing on the promise of God.
All men and women who stand for the Lord and for His promises will need courage. Believers will need courage, and a willingness to go against the world’s opinions. In this, like Caleb, they will face isolation of faith. Young Christian girls and boys know what is it like to follow Christ in a school system that laughs at Christianity and a biblical desire for purity. Any man or woman knows what it is like to work in an atmosphere of corruption and mocking of moral absolutes. Even in church there is pressure to conform for the sake of unity or ’growth’. Are school children prepared to work harder at school assignments since they refuse to cheat? Will the Christian believer be willing to tell their superior they will not be a part of some sort of corrupt deal knowing that they will lose an opportunity for advancement? Will the pastor have the guts to discipline a disorderly member knowing that his ability to support his family is related to the number of folks who attend? God’s people must be prepared, for devoted faith frequently means lonely faith. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “ ... all deserted me. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me…” (2 Timothy 4:16-17). As and encouragement to this ‘loneliness’ we are trusting in Christ alone—as closest companion, all-wise leader, mighty God, everlasting Father who give us peace in the struggle.
But back to Caleb and his inheritance, notice that he requests the ‘Hill Country … with great fortified cities…” (verse 12), where he and Joshua first encountered the fearful Anakim. Remember that, back in the wilderness, the ten spies said, “we saw the descendants of Anak there … we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers 13:28-33). Though Caleb was an old man, he asked and received a section of Canaan that scared the wits out of the other ‘spies.’ And Caleb then says, “It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them (the Anakim) out just as the LORD said.” Talk about faith! He had a sure foundation for his faith in God’s excellent Word! The Promise Land was just that to Caleb; a land which was given to him by the promise. Caleb’s assurance was bolstered by his remembering the specifics of God’s past dealings—God’s leading them out of slavery in Egypt; God leading them through the wilderness; God bringing them across the Jordan River; God giving them victory over the wicked Canaanites.
The application here is obvious – our assurance is strengthened by remembering what the Lord has done for us and recalling to our minds what the Lord has promised. We remember what the Lord has done when we take the opportunity to receive the means of grace given to us by the Good Shepherd. That is, weekly attendance at worship, the preaching of the Word, and the Lord’s Supper.
