“Nevertheless, my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God…Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day.” Joshua 14:8,12
The man Caleb, as well as Joshua, were distinguished in their time, first of all in that they were men of faith. When the twelve spies were sent to spy out the land of Canaan, according to Moses’ orders, they returned with their reports. Ten of them described the inhabitants of Canaan, and the land itself, as being too great, strong, and menacing to even hope for a successful conquest. Only two of those spies put before the people a realistic perception of the matter, describing the “exceedingly good land,” but also speaking of its inhabitants. But that which differed from their report and that of the 10 other spies was the mention of God, His will, and His provision. They said, “If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a ‘land which flows with milk and honey.” They went on to say, “Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them.” (Numbers 13:7,8,9) That day was a terrible one, for God had to intervene to save the lives of Joshua and Caleb, as the people were going to stone them. It was also terrible, and sad, because a lack of faith, proven by hearts that were not committed wholly to God, turned back towards Egypt, rebelling against God by the rejection of the will of God. The principle point here is that a wholehearted conquest can only be achieved by a wholehearted commitment to God, according to His will, in the power of His strength.
Joshua and Caleb were men who had such faith. Joshua would prove it afterwards when he was called to succeed Moses. His would be the responsibility over forty years later, to lead the people of Israel into the promised land, and successfully conquer it. After the conquest, when Caleb was eighty-five years old, him testifying that God had kept him alive all those years, and that his strength had not diminished to that very day, would approach Joshua, and request of him, “…Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day.” (Josh. 14:13) To Caleb was given Hebron as his inheritance, Joshua having blessed him for his devotion to God. The key to Caleb’s life was his wholehearted devotion to God, the testimony of an unalterable, steadfast faith IN God. The question then must be asked today by every believer: “Can one today, who is not a Caleb, but a child of God, have an enduring, steadfast, and unalterable faith in God, believing Him for all in the will of God, regardless of the “giants” opposing him, and the mountains of resistance which would certainly arise to oppose him?” The answer is “yes,” and it is found in the realization of a most extraordinary promise by Christ: “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” (John 16:27)
Though the disciples of Christ, before Pentecost were good, devout, and holy men and women, they lacked one essential element which was essential to overcoming the enemy, testifying of Christ. It was the power communicated to them by the Holy Spirit, a power which would enable them in times to come to overcome every need, and obstacle, to follow Christ, accomplishing the will of God. The devotion of Caleb and Joshua was remarkable, certainly because of the strengthening by the Spirit. After Pentecost, by virtue of Christ now dwelling in the heart of every believer by faith, Christ’s power became their power to be loyal and true.
Dear Father, Give us Thy zeal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.