Joshua 14:7

_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._ I brought him word again as it was in mine heart - i:e., I gave a true, unvarnished, and unbiassed report. This incident is recorded here because it occurred while the preparations were being made for casting the lots, which it appears were begun in Gilgal. The claim of Caleb to the mountains of Hobron as his personal and family possession was founded on a solemn promise of Moses 45 years before (see the note at Numbers 13:22; Numbers 14:24; Deuteronomy 1:36), to give him that land on account of his fidelity. Being one of the nominees ap

7._Forty years old was I_, etc He seems to talk of his own virtue in rather loftier terms than becomes a pious and modest man. But let us remember that, seeing the thing was in itself invidious and liable to many objections, it stood in need of special commendation as a means of suppressing envy. He therefore mentions that he had acted in good faith in bringing back an account of what he had learned concerning the land. For the expression, “As it was in my heart,” evidently denotes sincerity, the heart being thus opposed to deceitful words. It is a ridiculous fiction to imagine that he had said it in his heart, because from fear of being killed by his companions he had not ventured to mention anything of the kind by the way. Nothing more is meant than simply this, that he acted honestly according to the command given him, without gloss or dissimulation. He enlarges on the merit of his in...

6-15 Caleb's request is, "Give me this mountain," or Hebron, because it was formerly in God's promise to him, and he would let Israel knows how much he valued the promise. Those who live by faith value that which is given by God's promise, far above what is given by his providence only. It was now in the Anakims' possession, and Caleb would let Israel know how little he feared the enemy, and that he would encourage them to push on their conquests. Caleb answered to his name, which signifies "all heart." Hebron was settled on Caleb and his heirs, because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. Happy are we if we follow him. Singular piety shall be crowned with singular favour....

Verse Joshua 14:7. _AS IT WAS IN MINE HEART._] Neither _fear_ nor _favour_ influenced him on the occasion; he told what he believed to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth....

EXPOSITION JOSHUA 14:1 TRIBES. The word here for "tribes," in connection with the word "fathers," is the one which implies genealogical descent (see note on Joshua 13:29). ELEAZAR THE PRIEST, AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, AND THE HEADS OF THE FATHERS OF THE TRIBES. A picture of national unity; the head of the Church, representing the religious aspect of the community; the head of the State, representing its civil aspect; the heads of the tribes, to signify the general assent of the body politic. A work so begun was likely to be satisfactorily carried out. And accordingly the distribution of the land, recognised as carried out according to the will of God, displayed no partiality, and excited no jealousies....

FORTY YEARS OLD [WAS] I WHEN MOSES THE SERVANT OF THE LORD SENT ME FROM KADESHBARNEA TO ESPY OUT THE LAND,.... Not he alone, but eleven more with him, one out of every tribe; his age he mentions, and of which, or near it, it is highly probable the rest of the spies were, to show that he and they were in the prime of their days, both as to bodily strength and intellectual capacity, which were requisite for such service as to spy out the land, of what quality that and its inhabitants were; and Moses he calls the servant of the Lord, because it was by the order and appointment of God, signified to Moses, that this was done; and the place from whence they were sent forth is named, which ascertains what that Kadesh was, where Israel was encamped when the spies were sent, Numbers 13:26; AND I BROUGHT HIM WORD AGAIN, AS [IT WAS] IN MINE HEART; that is, he gave to Moses upon his

2. CALEB'S REQUEST AND INHERITANCE CHAPTER 14 _ 1. The inheritance by lot (Joshua 14:1)_ 2. Caleb's request (Joshua 14:6) Judah's portion comes first, and as they draw near to Joshua to receive their inheritance by lot (See Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 1:26) at Gilgal (note the recurrence of this place and its significance), Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, steps to the front. It was not forwardness or love of the preeminence which led him to do this, but the burning zeal in that old, yet youthful soul. He comes to claim the inheritance, which forty-five years ago Moses had promised unto him. Caleb was eighty-five years old

MOSES the servant of the LORD. See note on Deuteronomy 31:5. AS. according as. IN. with: i.e. "in accordance with my heart"....

The Possession of Caleb 6. _in Gilgal_ Where the casting of the lots commenced. _and Caleb the son of Jephunneh_ Caleb was a prince of the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Hezron, the son of Pharez, and grandson of Judah (1Ch 2:5; 1 Chronicles 2:18; 1 Chronicles 2:25). He is first mentioned in the list of the princes who were sent to search the land of Canaan in the second year of the Exodus (Numbers 13:6), and he and Joshua were the only two who on their return encouraged the Israelites to go up and take possession of the land. In the plague that ensued, these two alone were spared, and deemed worthy to enter the Promised Land ...

_VER._ 7. _I BROUGHT HIM WORD AGAIN, AS IT WAS IN MINE HEART_— Sincerely, without a desire to flatter, or fear to displease him....