In Numbers 14, we read about Israel refusing to enter the promised land. 10 of the spies had given a bad report. We know God’s judgment that followed. “The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in the wilderness” (vs. 29). A generation will be lost. But we also have God’s exception. “But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it” (vs. 24). Caleb’s inheritance would be Hebron.
In the previous passage, did you notice the “where he went” part? 45 years later, Caleb remembered this as he spoke to Joshua. “So Moses swore on that day saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance...’” (Jos. 14:9). Hebron was not an unknown place to Caleb. He had seen it as a 40-year-old and now he wanted it as an 85-year-old.
As Israel was being allotted, let’s consider Caleb in light of Hebron. What kind of man must Caleb have been?
Caleb was strong and faithful (Jos. 14: 10-12) – Hebron, formerly Kirjath Arba, was inhabited by giants, plural. Just one of these individuals was enough to terrify Israel later on (1 Sam. 17:11). Before David ever fought his giant, Caleb would fight his (Jos. 15: 13-14). Caleb was a faithful fighter and in that, he is a good example for us.
Caleb must have been discerning and protective – Amongst the cities of refuge, one of them would be Hebron (Jos. 20:7). What sort of people would find themselves on Caleb’s doorstep? Read the first 6 verses of the chapter. Caleb would need discernment, be willing to protect those who had fled there, and be willing to share his inheritance with them.
Caleb must have been appreciative and generous – Along with sharing his inheritance as a city of refuge, Hebron was also one of the cities of the Levites (Jos. 21: 9-13). Did Caleb mind sharing? Absolutely not. How he must have appreciated these men dedicated to serving God!
Caleb had a different kind of spirit, and because of it, he possessed his inheritance – Hebron. Would you be willing to wait 45 years like Caleb did? As we look forward to heaven, let us persevere against nay-sayers and giants alike. Let us have our senses exercised to discern between good and evil. Let us be willing to share with others as we learn from Caleb and Hebron.