Joshua 14:7-15

“Now therefore give me this mountain…” (Joshua 14:12a)

Caleb, the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, was given by Moses his inheritance upon his return from spying out the land of Canaan. Caleb was forty years old when this event happened. However in our text, Caleb is now 85 years old. He petitions Joshua to give him his inheritance as they enter the land of Canaan. The view of things at forty years of age is viewed with hope, prospect of the future, and through strength. But when one gets 85 years of age, many times there is little hope, the future is very dim, and strength is near gone.

(Read Numbers 13:1-33; 14:24; Joshua 14:1-15.)

Caleb told Joshua (Joshua 14:10-12), “…and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. (11) As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me… (12) Now therefore give me this mountain…” Most would say, if I had my strength as Caleb did, I would say the same. However, that is not the case; for the problem is not age but perception of how you view the mountain.

In Numbers 13:28-33, only Caleb brought back to Moses a good report after spying out the Land of Canaan; the other eleven spies brought back an evil report. Caleb said (verse 30), “… Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” See 14:6-9 (verse 9), “…they are bread for us: their defence is departed…” But the other eleven spies said (13:31b), “…We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” (Verse 32d-33), “… The land… is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof… (33) And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

But Caleb, knowing the giants were there, “…wholly followed the Lord…” (Joshua 14:8c); he knew the cities were great and fenced (Joshua 14:12c). But he said (Joshua 14:12d, “…if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” Caleb knew he could take his inheritance, his mountain, because God had promised it to him; (Numbers 14:24) “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” This happened for Caleb; he conquered his mountain, killed the giants that did possess it, and he and his seed did possess his inheritance.

Obviously, the 85 year old giant killer had a different view of his mountain. His mountain was not too high to climb; it was not unconquerable because of the inhabitants of his mountain, the giants of the Anakims. No matter how it looked to his flesh, to his spirit he was depending upon God and His promise, and power to perform His promise.

Child of grace, God has given you an inheritance in Christ. If you have been born again by the Spirit of God, you have the ability to see this inheritance and the power to enter into this inheritance (John 3:3, 5).

Romans 8:17c says, “…if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Paul is not talking about suffering with Christ to get “saved.” But Paul is speaking of being an heir of the inheritance. Suffering for His Name’s sake is a proof that you are an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. It reveals that you see the mountain (your inheritance) in a different way than those who turn back when persecution arises. (John 6:60) “…This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”

The mountain can have a negative effect on you, or a positive effect. If you walk by sight, it will have a negative effect because you see the giants and not the God that created the giants. You will look at the situation and circumstances, and allow these to rule your decision. It is the same today, when you have your eyes on the journey to take the mountain; when you look at the battle of the enemy forces; when you view your stature compared to the giants; when you try to rationalize it by the wisdom of the flesh –  you will miss the blessing, because you will turn back and perish in the Wilderness of doubt, fear, and unbelief (or disobedience) (Hebrews 3:6-19; Numbers 14:1-39) as did the Israelites (except Joshua and Caleb and all 19 years and younger) in the wilderness.

On the other hand, the mountain can have a positive effect on those that are born again believers:

• It gives you an opportunity to prove that you see, or perceive, the value of the mountain.
• It gives you an opportunity to exercise faith (Hebrews 11:1, 6) and show that you have the power of the Holy Spirit to perform.
• In obedience to His command, you can enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:11).
• Which proves that you are a vessel of honor afore prepared to be made known the riches of His glory (Romans 9:23).

Child of grace, how do you view your inheritance in Christ? Is it of value to you? Can you see His glory in it for you? Can you see this is your calling? Can you see it was prepared for you? Can you see that God has given you this mountain (inheritance) and it is yours – and He has given you the power to take this mountain, to defeat the enemy? Declare as Caleb did, “give me this mountain.” It is mine, given to me in Christ.