The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 294

o.n~ the hindrances to the ~ork of .~i;;h-p_rincipled statesmen and philanthropists which stay the progress of liberty, e1vilisat10n, and natwnal prosperity. II. WE HAVE MEANS FOR OVERCOMING THE" ANA.KIMS." 1. God with us. This fact i_s Caleb's ground of confidence. _God does not only approve of the right; He aids 1_t. He do~s not merely send assistance for the battle of life ; He is present as the light to gmde and the power to strengthen. Caleb had faith in the real and active presence of God. 2. Brave effort. Caleb says, "I shall be able to drive them out." He names God's help first as indispensable; but he does not stay with this. God's grace is no excuse for man's indolence. God fights for us by fightin" in us. Ours is the effort, while His is the strength. True faith in God will not paralyse our energies, but inspire them; because it will show us (a) that, while the victory will not be given unless we fight, when we fight in the strength of God omnipotence is on our side; (b) and that God then assures us of victory, and that as He is faithful we may be confident of it. Caleb is confident that with God's help he will drive out the Anakims, because this is "as the Lord said."- ,v. F. A. Ver. 12.-0aleb's inheritance. But little comparatively is said in the sacred writings concerning Caleb. What is recorded is decidedly in hls favour. He stands before us as a model of unbending integrity. Selected from among the princes of Judah to be one of the twelve appointed to search the land of Canaan, he remained stedfast in his adherence to the will of God. Neither the remembrance of the giant sons of :A.nak and their fortified towns, nor the passionate wailings of his brethren, could make Caleb falter and falsify the report he had to give, and the reco=endation he desired to make. For thls he received the pr11,ise of Jeho;-ah, and tlie promise that, not only should he be preserved to enter the Janel of Palestine, but also that the very part of the country concerning whlch some had given an Unfavourable report should be allotted to hlm as hls portion. Forty-five years bad passed. The wilderness was full of graves. Joshua had succeeded Moses as leader of t!Ie Israelites; had overthrown in pitched battles tile chief natione of Cana:.n ; it was time to distribute to the tribes their inheritance. The partition was made in the first instance by lot. Then the anangements for families were made by com- missioners, and, as one of these, Caleb might have seized the city he desired. But, . ,iding all suspicion of unfairness, he came with the children of Judah publicly to o..:er his petitiou. Tl..te text presents us therefore witl..t- I. A REQUEST FOR THE FULFILMENT OF A PROMISE. "Give me thls mountain whereof the Lord spake in that day." As God's representative Joshua is desired to see that the ancient oath is not made void. The declaration of God would not remain without effect, yet observe the manner in which it was to be accomplished, viz., by the petition of the man to whom the declaration was granted. Caleb set a, high value on the promise of God. Lightly would he have treate<l it bad he allowed it to rest uncherished in his tlioughts. God loves to see His people appreciate wh11t He has offered to bestow. He h11s given "exceeding great an<l precious promises," and yet " will be inquired of" to do it for them. Our duty is clear. To lay hold of the announcements of His Word ancl ground on them our requests. Sm·ely the reason why multitudes never pray is that they think little of the blessings promised to those that ask. We need quickened memories. Are the Scriptures to be empty volumes or full of life and power? The Bible may be our charter ; the will of Olll' Father bequeathing rich portions in this world and the world to come ; our catalogue of precious furniture that may be had to adorn the household of saints. How many things we have never asked for or claimed as om· own! Graces to beautify, gifts to enrich for evermore. "All Scripture is given that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Man is expected to do his part even in the obtaining of a privilege. Some think, "If we are to be saved we shall be." Caleb might have thought similarly, antl neglected to make his 1·equest, and gor:ie without _his portion. ~?d requires men to uso their reasoning powers, to examme th~ evidences of religion, to repent and believe in Christ-yes, to ask for the adoption that shall make them members of His family.  THE DOOR OF JOSHUA. [CH. XIV. 1-11,,