Joshua 11-14
The Courage of An Old Man

After the defeat of the central, southern and northern portions of Canaan, the land was essentially defeated. All that remained was for the individual tribes to take their allotment, finish clearing it out of lingering Canaanites, and settle down.

Chapter 14 tells of Caleb's selection of land for he and his people. Caleb was Joshua's fellow spy who trusted in the LORD some 40 years before when all the other people rejected the opportunity to enter the land. Now, he was now 85 years old, and he came before Joshua requesting his inheritance. "I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming. So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said," Joshua 14:11-12.

There was every reason why Caleb could NOT take this piece of property in the land. First, his age-he was 85years old. Even though many people at this time still lived slightly longer than us (Joshua died at 110), 85 years was a little old to begin an military expedition. Second, he went to fight the Anakim-giants (Numbers 13:33; think Goliath). Finally, they lived in "fortified cities." Much like Elijah pouring water on the sacrifice on Mt. Carmel, Caleb could not have made things much harder on himself.

Of course, what gave Caleb such confidence is his certainty that Yahweh was with him. His statement, "It may be that the Lord will be with me" was not one of uncertainty, but rather a humble expectation. Joshua must have been proud of and encourage by the faith of his contemporary.

Caleb's faith was rewarded. "Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel" (14:14).

We need great faith and confidence in God. There are times when we face situation that seem impossible for us. There is every reason why we can't accomplish what lies before us; times when we are in danger of being overwhelmed by the circumstances of life. Peter faced such a moment in Matthew 14 as he tried to walk on the raging sea, but lost confidence in the LORD and began to sink. However, after the resurrection, we see a different man; one who is willing to stand before anyone, even those who would hold his life in their hand, and boldly proclaim Jesus (Acts 4-5).

Age, sickness, death, work, raising children, even marriage are all aspects of life that challenge us. Left to ourselves, we would be overwhelmed. Let us remember what Caleb remembered: God is with us. With Him, we have full strength to face whatever the challenges throw at us. Do you think in those moments, "I can't do this?" You are right; you can't. But God can and will. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Or, as some would say today, "Bring it on."