The Book of Joshua
Joshua 14
Chapter XIV · Vol. I, pp. 561–562
1 The nine tribes and a half are to have their inheritance by lot. 6 Caleb by privilege obtaineth Hebron.
1 AND these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, awhich Eleazar 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 to them.
A.M. 2560. B.C. 1444.
a Nu.34.17-29. 1 Co.7.10. He.5.4. Jn.17.2. Mat.20.23.
2 Byb lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half-tribe.
3 For cMoses had given the inheritance of two tribes and a half-tribe on the other side Jordan;d but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.1
c Nu.32.29-41. ch.13.8-33. De.3.12-17.
d ch.13.14,33.
1 Again is the disinheriting of Levi recorded (see ch. 13. 14, 33). Why this marked frequency of reference? (1) To prevent the Levites from murmuring at the distribution of the land. (2) To avoid all charge of covetousness in Moses on behalf of his own tribe. (3) So to provide for the Levites, that having little worldly property to occupy them, they might attend on the divine service without distraction. (4) To inculcate the great lesson, that he that draws near to God has enough in God himself.—C.
4 For ethe children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, fsave cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
e Ge.48.5. 1 Ch.5.1. And so there were twelve tribes besides the Levites.
f Nu.35.2-8. ch.xxi. 1 Ch.6.54-81.
6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in hGilgal: and iCaleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses kthe man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea.
7 Forty years old was I when Moses, the servant of the LORD, lsent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
8 Neverthelessm my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt; butn I wholly followed the LORD my God.2
m Nu.13.31,33; 14.1-4.
n Nu.14.24. ver.9,14. Re.14.4.
2 Caleb bears witness to his own integrity; but not out of vanity, nor even out of his own consciousness of rectitude; but because God had already so borne record, Nu. 14. 24. 2 Ti. 4. 7.—C.
9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surelyo the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
o De.1.34-36. Nu.13.22; 14.23,24.
10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these pforty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered3 in the wilderness; and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.4
p Nu.14.33,34. ch.11.18.
3 Heb. walked.
4 This is a very clear and important note of time. The spies were sent out in the second year of the wilderness journey: consequently, as the people crossed the Jordan in the fortieth year, they were now nearly seven years in Canaan. The conquest of the country was thus a slow and very difficult task.—P.
11 Asq yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
q De.33.25,27; 34.7; 31.2. Ps.122.8.
12 Now therefore give me this rmountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; (for thou heardest in that day show the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced;) if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.5
A.M. 2560. B.C. 1444.
r ch.11.21.
s Nu.13.29-34; 14.8; 21.33. 1 Sa.14.7. Ro.8.31. Ps.27.1-3; 118.10-12. Phi.4.13.
5 In ch.11.21 Joshua is said to have already driven the Anakims out of Hebron; how then does Caleb now propose to do a thing already done? Is not this a contradiction? No; they were driven indeed out of Hebron by Joshua, for so the history testifies; but, having been expelled by Joshua, at an early period of his conquests, they had since returned, and reoccupied the city itself. See ch. 15. 14.—C.
13 And Joshua tblessed him, and ugave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
u ch.15.13; 21.11,12. Ju.1.20. 1 Ch.6.55,56.
14 Hebronx 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.
x ch.10.37; ver.8,9. 1 Co.15.58. Ps.19.11.
15 And ythe name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from zwar.6
y ch.15.13,54; 20.7. Ge.23.2.
z Open war, ch.11.23. Ju.3.11,30; 5.31; 8.28.
6 This is the second time of peace, see ch. 11. 23, for 'when a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him,' Pr.16.7.—C.
Notes
Ver. 2. [By lot. The lot was a divine institution, appealing to the direct judgment of God, Pr. 16. 33. It was likewise the surest mode with a jealous people of avoiding all cause of jealousy from suspicion of favouritism. C.]
Ver. 6. [Caleb. The object of Caleb is to claim a right previous to the conquest, founded on God's promise, ver. 6, and Moses' oath, ver. 9, and so an exemption from the lot.—Note, Though the lot was a divine institution, it was not to be employed where the will of God is already declared. The sin of Balaam lay in knowing the declared will of God, and seeking by sacrifice to change it. God's will once declared, we must seek no other confirmation—God's will once known, we must allow neither delay nor evasion. C.]
Ver. 12. [This was a noble proposition upon the part of old Caleb. He had affirmed, on his return from spying out the land, that though the cities were strong, and the Anakim powerful and warlike, yet, by the help of the Lord, the Israelites could drive them out. Now he offers himself to put the truth of that affirmation to the test. Old as he was, he would lead the attack on the Anakim and drive them out. P.]
Reflections.—Such as refer themselves to God to choose for them will never find cause to repent of their lot. Yea, it is not only useful but necessary to acknowledge God in all our ways, that he may direct our paths, and prosper the work of our hands; and to view everything that we obtain lawfully as coming from him.—How edifying is it to observe aged professors strong in the faith, giving glory to God! It is not pride, but due acknowledgment, to declare what a gracious God has done for us and by us. The more singular our fidelity has been towards God, it is the more commendable. And if we have served God in godly simplicity in our youth, we shall find the comfort and blessing of it when we grow old. The issues of our life are in God's hand. Neither age, nor sickness, nor sword can cut those who are faithful to Christ. Every year, therefore, through which we are spared is a new call for thankfulness to him who preserves our soul in life; and the death of others around should make us the more sensible of the mercy which preserves us. But indeed wonders of mercy and judgment will God work for performing his promise, in the most honourable manner, to such as by faith remarkably glorify him in an hour of temptation. Such as trust in him will never find themselves disappointed of their hopes. And with the utmost boldness we may insist upon having what he has promised, and dare to engage the most powerful opposer in order to obtain it.