Joshua 14-17 (3)

Read Joshua 15.13-19

Reflect.
1.  The writer returns to Caleb and gives more detail about his inheritance. Why?  

2.   Joshua made a promise to whoever was willing to claim it. Can you see in his actions a reflection of how God led His people?

Think about it.
This is the second mention of Caleb and his inheritance. One more will follow, as these verses are repeated in Judges 1.11-15. The writer sets forth Caleb as an example, from within the tribe of Judah, of what all the tribes of Israel need to do. They have received their inheritances, but they still have work to do in securing them. Caleb is a study in continuing faithfulness for himself and his children.

I find Caleb’s method of enlisting help analogous to God’s way of motivating His people. Caleb makes a promise: Whoever takes Kirjath Sepher can have his daughter, Achsah, as wife. God had said, in effect, “Whoever displaces the Canaanites can have their cities and farms and My blessing.” God leads His people by promise. Promises give people a vision of things to hope for, and such visions can motivate them to faith and obedience until they gain that for which they hoped (Heb. 11.1). People are motivated by vision, by what they see or hope for or desire. Most visions are shallow, material, fleeting, and disappointing. When God and His Kingdom are our vision, everything else we need falls nicely into place (Matt. 6.33).

Kudos, too, to Caleb’s daughter, who was bold to ask for even more blessings than Caleb had originally granted. She asked for a field and springs of water; Caleb gave it to her, and more. Just so, we cannot out-ask our Father’s ability to bless us. Exceedingly abundantly more is available to us than we ever dare to ask or think (Eph. 3.20). Perhaps we should take a lesson from Achsah?

Meditate and discuss.
1.  What vision and promises motivate your daily life? What are you most hoping for in life? How does this vision affect the way you use your time?

2.  Do you dare to think or ask for exceedingly abundantly more of God’s blessings in your walk with and work for Him? Can you give an example?

3.  What can we learn from Caleb about how to lay hold on God’s precious and very great promises (2 Pet. 1.4)?

“And it appears, that when he held out this rare prize to his fellow-soldiers for taking the city, no small achievement was required. This confirms what formerly seemed to be the case, that it was a dangerous and difficult task which had been assigned him, when he obtained his conditional grant. Accordingly, with the view of urging the bravest to exert themselves, he promises his daughter in marriage as a reward to the valor of the man who should first scale the wall.” John Calvin, Commentary on Joshua(1509-1564 AD)

Lord, make Your promises clear to my mind, and help me to desire them more, so that I…

Pray Psalm 111.
As you pray, thank God for His works and for the promises of His covenant. Seek His help in learning His works and Word, and in laying hold on His promises for your life.

Psalm 111 (Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
Praise the Lord! O let my heart give thanks here amid His chosen race! 
Your works are great, O Lord, and sought by all who know their grace. 

For Your work is full of splendor, Lord, and of majesty most pure; 
Your righteousness, O glorious God, forever will endure! 

You have caused Your many wondrous works to remain before our face. 
For You are full of mercy, Lord, and abounding all in grace. 

For all who fear You, You provide; Your covenant endures. 
Your pow’r You show Your people, Lord, and make the nations theirs. 

The works of Your all-sovereign hands are faithful, Lord, and just. 
Your precepts ever more are true and worthy of our trust. 

You have sent redemption, to us, Lord, in Christ of cov’nant fame,
And we in wonder, grace, and awe adore Your holy Name. 

All they who would true wisdom know must learn to fear You, Lord, 
And in that wisdom daily live and praise You evermore.

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here. And when you order, we’ll send you a free copy of Bricks and Rungs: Poems on Calling.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).