Caleb: A Man Who Followed The Lord Wholheartedly

FORTY-FIVE YEARS LATER

Let’s fast forward forty-five years.

Under the leadership of Joshua, the people of Israel are now in the land of Canaan. They have won many battles and are ready to distribute the land to the twelve tribes of Israel.

6Now the men of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know that what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. 9So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’

10“Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:6-14).

13Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel wholeheartedly.

Six times the Bible says that Caleb followed the Lord “wholeheartedly” (Numbers 14:24; 32:12; Deuteronomy 1:36; Joshua 14:8, 9, 14).

Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly because he trusted in the promises of God. When he was forty, he believed God’s promise to give Israel the land of Canaan. When he was eighty-five, he believed God’s promise to give him and his descendants Hebron.

FOLLOWING THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY

The person who follows the Lord wholeheartedly:

1. Finds a spiritual FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH.

The Fountain of Youth is a legendary spring that allegedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks of its waters. Florida is often said to be its location. (Maybe that’s why so many seniors move to Florida.)

Had Caleb discovered the Fountain of Youth? He said, “I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (Joshua 14:11). (Perhaps he was exaggerating a bit.) At eighty-five years old, Caleb was ready to fight giants!

Caleb had not found the Fountain of Youth, but he had discovered a source of spiritual renewal: the Lord.

“[The LORD] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).