Joshua 14

Joshua 14:1-5

Here is. 1. The division of the land by lot, ver. 1—5. 2. Caleb demands Hebron, as his by promise, ver. 6—12. 3. Joshua grants it, ver. 14, 15.

1. AND these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which I deparar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel distributed for inheritance unto them. 2. By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe. 3. For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes, and an half tribe, on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. 4. For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manath and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle, and for their substance. 5. As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.

The land on the other side Jordan being already divided, it remained to assign each his lot in Canaan, that every man may know his own property, and not interfere with his neighbour. For this purpose, the ten princes appointed (Num. xxviii. 1.) with Joshua, and Eleazar the high-priest, proceed to the division, and this by lot, referring themselves to God’s sovereignty in the disposal of the land, and cheerfully ready to acquiesce in his determination. Notice is taken here of Joseph’s inheriting a double share, and thus the twelve tribes are complied, though Levi hath no inheritance among his brethren, except the cities allotted him out of each tribe. Note, (1.) They who refer themselves to God to chief for them, will never have cause to repent of their lot. (2.) Believers in Jesus Christ are said to obtain by lot their inheritance, Eph. i. 11. as it is in virtue of the Divine choice and sovereignty, that eternal life is bellowed on them.

6. 6. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in 1. Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, laid unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God, concerning me and thee, in Kadefs-barnea. 7. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadefs-barnea to ely out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me, made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9. And Moses’ sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden, shall be thine inheritance, and thy children for ever: because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. 10. And now behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he laid, thine forty and five years, ever since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourteen and five years old. 11. As yet I am as strong this day, as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so it my strength now, for war, both to go out and to come in. 12. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day, (for thou heardst in that day how the Anakims

were there, and that the cities were great and tenced) if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance. 14. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, unto this day: because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 15. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba, which is the same as great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.

Joshua 14:6-15

Caleb in right of former promise, when now the land was about to be divided, puts in his claim for a particular possession in Hebron, which is being given him of God, ought not to be put into a lot, God’s will being determined before by his promise. The children of Judah accompany him to support his plea, which he urges with great simplicity, deep piety, and noble courage.

1. He mentions his faithful report amongst the faithfuls spies; not by way of proud boasting, but to the honour of God, whom he followed, speaking the truth from his heart. Note, (1.) It is not pride, but due acknowledgment, to declare what a gracious God hath done for us, and by us. (2.) The more singular our fidelity to God hath been, the more commendable. (3.) They who served God in simplicity in their youth, will find the comfort and blessing of it when they are old.

2. He repeats his long experience of God’s care of him, as kept alive for the fulfilment of the promise; five and forty years he had been preserved, when all the men of his own age had long since been buried: and he not only lived, but was as strong as ever, as if relieved at eighty-five more gloriously to magnify the Divine power in the destruction of those sons of Anak, which had so terrified the hoft of Israel in the wilderness. Note, (1.) The issues of life are in God’s hand; nor age, nor sickness, nor the sword, can hurt those whose preservation he determines. (2.) Every year we are spared, is a call for new thankfulness to him, who keepeth our souls in life. (3.) The death of others around us, should make us more sensible of the mercy which preserves us. (4.) A vigorous old age is an unusual blessing.

3. He pleads the promise made him by Moses, Num. xiv. 24. The mount Hebron, though not there named, was evidently designed. The Anakims, who divest there, were so far from intimidating Caleb, that he desired no better portion than to win it and wear it; and as a reward of his courage and fidelity, the promise was made him. Note, They who have God’s promise, have good security.

4. He offers now, aged as he was, to dispossess the Anakims, who were, after the taking the city of Hebron, retired to the fastnesses of the mountains, and doubts not but by the Divine blessing, to which alone he trusted, to be able to familiar them. Note, (1.) They who trust in God, will find themselves never disappointed of their hope. (2.) If God be with us, the sons of Anak, our giant-like corruptions, must fall before us.

5. Joshua admits the claim, and confesses to the offer; commends his courage, and prays for his success. Accordingly the country about Hebron, formerly called Kirjath-Arba, the city of Arba, perhaps from some great man to builder, became his inheritance, the city itself being given to the Levites, and appointed one of the cities of refuge. Thus Caleb received his reward, for having wholly followed the Lord; and they who carefully copy his steps, shall as surely share his blessing, in a better country, that is, an heavenly.