Joshua 14

Joshua 14:1

2. The Allotment to Judah (Chaps. 14, 15)14:1-5 This chapter begins the distribution of the land on the west side of Jordan to the nine tribes and the half-tribe. The LORD had commanded . . . Moses that the distribution be made by lot. This probably means that the general location of the tribal portion was determined by lot, but the size of the territory was according to the population of the tribe (Num_26:53-56). 14:6-15 First in the list of tribes is Judah (14:615:63). The men of Judah led the armies of Israel (see Num_10:14) and were the largest and most powerful tribe, boasting over 76,000 warriors. Before giving the territorial boundaries, the Spirit of God records the noble request of Caleb for the city of Hebron. Though he was then eighty-five years old, his faith, courage, and strength were unabated. He longed for more spiritual conquests and received Hebron for his inheritance. Hebron meant not only the city but the country around it as well (v. 12). The city had been conquered earlier by Joshua (Jos_10:36-37). It later was given to the priests, but Caleb kept the surrounding region for his inheritance. Caleb had been spared from the plague that took the lives of the unbelieving spies forty-five years earlier (Num_14:36-38). He had been preserved during the wilderness wanderings. He had survived several years of war in Canaan. He knew that God would not have kept him alive, promising him a reward for his faith, only to give him over to the Anakim. So what if they were giants? They were on his land, and he would drive them out by the strength of God. He still saw things through the eyes of faith and not as they appeared outwardly. This was the secret of his abiding strength and amazing success. He was not about to retire (although eighty-five years old) until he possessed his possessions.