Calvary Chapel Newberg - Bible Study
Joshua 14 - 15
Staying in The Game
(possible Wednesday: Caleb the spy - and the attitude of the Christian on God’s mission)
In our society we tend to disregard our elders. Ever since the late 1950’s a culture of youth supremacy has permeated the fabric of our nation here in the U.S. The values, mores, attitudes, and "wisdom" of youth are seen as king. As a result we think that age equals weakness both mentally and physically.
I’m not here to argue the merits of that sociological point of view one way or another. I am here to point out, though, that that attitude also permeates the church. Much of our music and our church culture focuses on today’s generation. Now while it is important to be relevant, what can happen is that we relegate those that have walked with the Lord for many years into the back pews. We shelve them, don’t learn from them, and wall them off from effective ministry.
That’s not much to look forward to as you mature in the Lord, is it? And I don’t think it has to be that way. That’s why today we focus on one such a man: at over 80 years old he was as vibrant, strong, alive, and capable as anyone in Israel. He did it by staying in the game. And his strength was so infectious that it was passed down to his daughter and son-in-law who became a similar leader in Israel. We who still have much growing room can learn from those seasoned Caleb’s around us in the battle for victory in the Christian life.
In these two chapters we see the allotment to the tribe of Judah, Caleb’s tribe, and his story of conquest.
Chapter 14
Verses 1 - 5
The author of Joshua (possibly one of the elders who worked for Joshua) begins chapter 14 tying the tribes east of the Jordan in with the rest of the nation.
A couple of things to note. This was apparently a protracted process. Judah gets their allotment first, then when their area is settled, the rest of the tribes west of the Jordan. The HQ moved from Gilgal to Shiloh.
It was not the fiat of Joshua, but a joint effort by the high priest, the national leader, and representatives of the people. It may be that they picked lots for general areas then worked out the final borders together.
We really don’t know how the lot worked. Barnes suggests two urns, one with tribal names and one with general districts. They would pick out of the two urns simultaneously. It could have been the Urim and the Thummim, which was a device that the High Priest used to get the will of God for Israel.
Verses 6 - 12
Caleb was 40 when he went into spy out the land, 38 years in the wilderness, and now he is 85-that leaves 7 years for the conquest of Canaan.
The cities of the Anakites were the very thing that the 10 faithless spies used to discourage Israel (Numbers 13:28-29). Caleb simply viewed them as a challenge.
Moses promised Caleb land in Canaan in Numbers 14:24. It wasn’t a specific piece of land, Caleb chose that for himself.
Chapter 15
Verse 1
The tribes were supposed to get territory corresponding with their size. But Judah gets a much larger area of land than the numbers would indicate. It shows their preeminence among the tribes of Israel.
Verses 8 - 12
"The Valley of the Son of Hinnom" refers to the valley on the south and east of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was not a part of Judah’s territory but Benjamin.
Verses 13 - 19
Keriath-sepher means "city of books." Perhaps it was the seat of learning for the Canaanites. It is located near Hebron.
"Caleb’s brother" can refer to any male member of the same clan or tribe. But in Judges 1:13 and 3:9 it refers to him as Caleb’s younger brother.
Springs of water would be very valuable in an agrarian society.
I think that Achsah was a pretty gutsy girl and took after her father in her manner. It also shows they had a close relationship. Also notice that Caleb was not interested in just anyone marrying Achsah-he chose the guy who showed he was not afraid in the face of great obstacles and danger-someone very much like Caleb.
Othniel later became one of the judges of Israel (Judges 3:7-11) and delivered Israel from a Mesopotamian king. He ended up judging Israel for 40 years.
Verses 20 - 62
Zorah and Eshtaol (33) were the settings for Samson’s exploits in Judges 13 and 16.
(45) Ekron, Ashdod, and Gaza were all Philistine towns and though given to Judah, they were not captured until many years later by David.
The "city of Salt" (vs 62) may refer to Khirbet Qumran, the center of the Essene community made famous by the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Verse 63
This last verse is a little odd. Jerusalem was not part of Judah’s territory, yet here Judah is seen as NOT being able to dislodge its inhabitants. In Judges 1:8 Judah is said to have captured it after the death of Joshua. The final conquest of Jerusalem came in 2 Samuel 5:6-10 when David captured the inner city.
It’s odd too because God worked so incredibly to aid His people supernaturally in acquiring the land, and yet here is a seeming defeat.
Lessons
Lessons from Caleb:
He wasn’t just faking his faith "as in my heart" (vs 7)
When Caleb went into the Promised Land he saw the same giants that everyone else saw. But he looked on and God filled his heart, not with fear but courage. He said "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it."
In the flesh he knew that was not true. But he was so close to God and to His purposes that his eyes informed his heart via his faith. I pray that I might be so in tune with God that I see my world through His eyes and that instead of being filled with fear my heart is filled with courage to face my giants!
He was patient for God’s promises (vs 9)
If Caleb had been in it for the land he might have pushed Joshua as soon as they got into Canaan "don’t forget you owe me, Josh". But he didn’t They fought a seven year campaign and Caleb was right there, even as an "old man." After it was over, then he was ready for when God would give him his promise.
Do you get impatient for God to "come through" with His promises? Perhaps there is more for you to do before that happens. Are we in it for the land or for the Lord?
Despite years of service he was still going strong for the Lord (vs 11)
Are you in it for the long haul? The Christian walk is just that, a walk, not a sprint. Don’t just think about next week or next year, but what will you be like and what will you be doing 40 years from now in God? Will your life be one that is worth remembering?
Despite his years of service, he still chose the hard task as his reward (vs 12)
This is so cool. Me, I would have asked for a land far away from any conflict. I would say that I’d had enough of church politics and Christians fighting each other and warfare against the enemy in reaching the lost. But Caleb asks for the very hardest assignment-that’s where he wants to plant his roots.
It’s like he’s saying "I didn’t serve God all these years and have Him do all these things through me to just go the easy route." Sometimes our most difficult assignments come at the end, but that’s okay because its God doing them.
Is there a Caleb that you know - someone who has walked with the Lord for many years and has the battle scars to prove it? Don’t discount them because of their age or maybe current lack of activity. Learn as much as you can from them, they have much faith they can pass on to you.
And maybe you are a Caleb (or want to be). You’ve served the Lord for years and feel marginalized or like its time to retire in the Lord. I’ve got news for us: we don’t retire until we see the Lord face to face. Until then be ready to continue strongly for the Lord and pass on what you have learned to the next generation.
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