The Victory Side of Life #12
Claiming the Promise by Gerald Van Horn
Joshua 14:6-15
Text v.12
It has been forty years since we last heard about Caleb. He has served silently under Joshua. There is every indication that they fought the enemy side by side. They had spied out the land together. Numbers 13:30-33. There was ten sent to spy out the land. Eight came back with a negative report for they were fearful of the inhabitants. Only Joshua and Caleb gave a positive report. They said, “We are well and able to take the land.” Because of the eight’s report Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness.
1. Caleb believed the promises of God. v.6
The promise to Caleb is mentioned two times. Numbers 14:24 and again in Deuteronomy 1:36. He also had the word of Moses. He had every right to claim the land promised to him.
Caleb was :
* Steadfast and trustworthy.
* He was loyal to Joshua.
* He found strength in time of need.
* He did not grumble or complain.
* He was a family man whose family stood with him.
* He overcame great diversity
* He was a man of faith.
Our Joshua, Jesus Christ, has given us exceedingly, great and precious promises.
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in him are yea (yes) and in him Amen,
unto the glory of God by us.”
Hebrews 8:6 “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”
Hebrews 6:12 “ That ye be not slothful, but followers of them through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
Song: Every promise in the Book is mine, every chapter every verse very line.
I’m living in his love divine, every promise in the book is mine.
Someone has said that there are 365 promises directed to the believer. That’s one for every day.
2. Caleb accepted the promises of God.
Caleb now, at age 85, approaches Joshua for his inheritance. What will he ask for?
He had the privilege for asking for any place he desired. He asks for the city of Hebron. It was a city set on a mountain and well fortified. It was occupied by Giants. The same Giants that eight of the spies reported. Caleb says that even at 85 he is well able to take the city. Remember he first reported that Israel could take the city. Caleb now proves what he said was true. He knew the Lord was with him.
As New Testament Christians we too have our Giants to over come. We also have mountains in our way to victory in Jesus. The Giant may be some old habit that keeps on popping up and haunting us. Jesus is our Giant killer. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Mountains may also be in our way. Jesus said “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove from here to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
#3 Caleb was Strengthened by the Promises. v.11.
Caleb told Joshua, “I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, so is my strength now.” Caleb is not mentioned in Hebrews 11 but what is said about many of Old Testament saints can be said of Caleb. He certainly fits the description of the writer. Hebrews 11:33 “Who through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”
We too are to be strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” I Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
#4 Caleb was Rewarded by Claiming the Promises. v.13
“And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance.” He received the land of his own choosing. He was blessed by Joshua as well.
This meant that the land would and its cities would always be Caleb’s. Nothing or no one could take it from him. When Joshua blessed him it also included his children and children’s children.
God has promised every child of God a place. John 14:2 “in my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place or you.” God will surely keep His Word. I Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
