The Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua, and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them, Joshua 14:1 / Numbers 34:19-28. Notice the nine and a half tribes inheritance were assigned by lot, Joshua 14:2 / Joshua 18:6 / Numbers 26:55.
Wood, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Apparently the casting of lots established the general location of each tribe within Canaan, but the population of that tribe affected the size of each tribe’s inheritance, Numbers 26:52-56.’
The two and a half tribes received their portion east of Jordan, Reuben, Gad, half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua 14:3-4.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘This was ascertained by the prophetic declaration of their grandfather Jacob, Genesis 48:5-6, and as Levi was taken out of the tribes for the service of the sanctuary, one of these sons of Joseph came in his place, and Joseph was treated as the first-born of Jacob, in the place of Reuben, who forfeited his right of primogeniture.’
The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds, Joshua 14:4 / Deuteronomy 12:12. The tribe Levi received God has their inheritance, Numbers 18:23–24 / Deuteronomy 10:9 / Joshua 13:33. And so, the land was divided up, Joshua 14:5.
Caleb comes to Joshua to remind him that land had been promised to him years earlier, Joshua 14:6 / Deuteronomy 1:36 / Numbers 14:24-38.
Campbell, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Caleb was a member of the clan in Judah called the Kenizzites, Joshua 14:6 / Joshua 14:14. He was probably not a descendant of the Kenizzites who were early inhabitants of Canaan, Genesis 15:19. Another view is that the early Canaanite Kenizzites joined the tribe of Judah before the Exodus.’
Caleb had been one of the spies sent out to inspect the land, and when they returned with their report, only he and Joshua had the faith that the land could be taken, Numbers 14:6-10. He gave his report from his heart, Joshua 14:7, the other ten spies report made the Israelites hearts felt in fear, but Joshua followed the Lord fully, Joshua 14:8. Caleb was promised that the land that he had walked on would be his and so, God rewarded his obedience, Joshua 14:9 / Numbers 14:24. Joshua would receive a personal allotment later, Joshua 19:49-50.
Here we read of Caleb’s request and notice he explained away his age. He was forty-five years old when Moses made the promise but he was now eighty-five years old, Joshua 14:10 / Numbers 14:24. The Israelites wandered for something like thirty-eight years and so, it’s taken seven years to do the conquering thus far, but Israel wasted thirty-eight years. However, he’s just as strong now as forty-five years ago, Joshua 14:11.
Caleb then requested the land that had been promised to him, Joshua 13:12. He reminds Joshua of what he heard, that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but with God’s help, he will drive them out just as God said, Joshua 14:12.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Caleb referred to the very things that the unbelieving spies had pointed out to discourage the Israelites from entering the land: hill country, Anakim, and large fortified cities, Numbers 13:28-29.’
Joshua blessed Caleb and the land of Hebron was given to him, Joshua 14:13, and he took it, Joshua 14:14 / Joshua 15:13-19 / Judges 1:20, because he followed God wholeheartedly, Joshua 14:14. We are told that Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites, Joshua 14:15. The land had rest from war, Joshua 14:15.
Do you know who the following people are? Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, and Geuel. You would be forgiven for not knowing these people but they are in fact the names of the other ten spies who were sent out with Joshua and Caleb to spy on the land of Canaan, Numbers 13-14.
Isn’t it interesting that hardly anyone remembers these ten spies names but most people remember Joshua and Caleb. I believe the main reason most people remember Caleb is simply because of his commitment to God.
Three times it is stated that God’s blessing on Caleb was based on the fact that he had ‘followed the Lord fully,’ Joshua 14:8 / Joshua 4:9 / Joshua 14:14. Caleb’s obedience was in the context of a minority report and Caleb’s obedience was in the context of group rejection. Caleb’s obedience continued for forty-five. Caleb’s obedience was eventually honoured and rewarded, even though it was forty-five years later.