SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 14
DIVISION OF THE LAND WEST OF THE JORDAN (vs.. 1-5)
Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua, son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them. their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine-and-a-half tribes, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. Moses had granted the two-and-a-half tribes their inheritance east of the Jordan but had not granted the Levites an inheritance among the rest, for the sons of Joseph had become two tribves – Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasture lands for their flocks and hers. So the Israelites divided the land, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.
HEBRON GIVEN TO CALEB (vs. 6-15)
Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses, the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ;The land on which your feet have waked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartely.
Now the, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this h8ll country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
Then Joshua blessed Caleb, son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb, son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, becasue he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. (Hebron used to be called Kiraath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
Then the land had rest from war.
THOUGHTS (From Life Application Study Bible)
The land was divided exactly as God had instructed Moses years before. Joshua did not change a word. He followed God’s commands precisely. Often we believe that almost is close enough, and this idea can carry over into our spiritual lives. For example, we may follow God’s Word as long as we agree with it, but ignore it when the demands seem harsh. But God is looking for leaders who follow instructions thoroughly.
Caleb was faithful from the start. As one of the original scouts sent into the Promised Land, he saw great cities and giants, yet he knew God would help the people conquer the land. Because of his faith, God promised him a personal inheritance of land. Here, 45 years later, the land was given to him. His faith was still unwavering. Although his inherited land still had giants, Caleb knew the Lord would help him conquer them. Like Caleb, we must be faithful to God, not only at the start of our walk with him, but through our entire life. We must never allow ourselves to rest on our past accomplishments or reputations.