"The Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses.” (v.10)
In Joshua 14 we read that Caleb did not allow his advancing age to prevent him from believing that God would still honor His promise given 45 years earlier (Joshua 14:10-12). As one of the original scouts sent into the Promised Land, he saw large cities inhabited by powerful people of great stature. But Caleb was faithful to God and believed He would help the Israelites conquer the land (Joshua 14:6-9).
Now at 85 years of age, Caleb was still physically strong and his faith unwavering. He trusted that God would help him to conquer the land, even though it still had giants. So Joshua blessed Caleb with his portion of the land, fulfilling God’s 45-year-old promise. Despite all the land Caleb received, a greater reward was the compliment he received in verse 14: “He followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.”
Caleb's example is an inspirational reminder of purpose for believers as we advance in years: growing older, but never weaker in Jesus. Caleb wanted to fight for the promise. He could have asked for an easy place, but he knows that these foes must be faced and figures that he may as well be the one to do it. He doesn’t leave the work to someone else, though he could have, especially at his age.
Following God with courage and confidence was his lifelong pursuit. Such was the legacy of Caleb.
The Truth: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28)
