Journal Through the Bible: Week 32 Wednesday

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Joshua 13:1-14:15

These chapters recount the territory left to be conquered and the territory already settled on both sides of the Jordan River.  Of special interest is the territory given to Caleb, the only other spy besides Joshua to return to Moses with a good report of the land. The other spies were afraid of the Anakims that lived in the mountains. At the time of the original scouting assignment Caleb was 40 years old. Now, 45 years later, he requested that he be given the mountain where the Anakims lived as his inheritance. He was as fit for battle at the age of 85 as he was at the age of 40!

Does God issue any commands?

• (13:1-7) There was still much land to conquer but due to Joshua's advancing age God commanded him to divide it between the 9 1/2 tribes that were to inherit on the western side of the Jordan River.

Does God make any promises?

• (13:6) God promised to help the Israelites drive out the Canaanites that remained in the land.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Caleb is a type of Christ. "Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God." (14:7-8)  Jesus came unto his own but his own received him not (John 1:11) but they spoke against him and turned the hearts of the people away from Him. Nevertheless, the Prophet that was without honor in His own country wholly followed the LORD His God.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• Caleb's sustaining strength over the 45 years was testimony to the fact that God can put an end to the aging process when He so chooses. Isaiah 65:20 makes it clear that in the Millennium age will have no affect upon a person. And Revelation makes it clear that a Christian who has died physically will never die again.