A five-year offensive, only one defeat, 38 kings downed... phase one of the takeover complete. There was still much to accomplish, but it was time to break and allocate the inheritance. If you remember God said they would not drive out everyone at once, for the wild beasts would have then grown too numerous for them (Deut 7:21-22ff).
The plan was working just as God had said. He had delivered king after king into the hand of Israel. Their only defeat came as the consequence of sin and the chastening of God. Even in defeat, God had been in control. God had not only "given over" the land into their hands for them to conquer it, but had fought along side them... at times even dropping large stones from heaven on their enemies (Joshua 10:11)!
How many times have we seen such a great victory in such a short time period? This was a one-sided blood bath. As I read about the complete annihilation of the enemy people in the Land of Canaan, it was shocking to realize the magnitude of this conquest's accomplishments. Wherever they went, they engulfed. Whoever they faced, they eradicated. Fear must have gripped all living around them. Who could stop them? Alliances and teamwork had failed. Vast armies were still no match. What made them so strong?
Caleb knew the Answer. And not only did he know the Answer, he knew His further promises. Caleb was not content claiming for his tribe land already conquered. He knew God was going to continue their advancement until all the promised land had been handed over to Israel. So rather than take it easy or play it safe, Caleb came to Joshua and asked to be apportioned a hill country about which the Lord had spoken over 45 years prior. This hill country, not yet subdued, was inhabited by the Anakim (large people) with "great fortified cities!"
Caleb, one of the two oldest living Israelites, was asking for one incredible challenge! Why not retire, Caleb? Let the young guys take on the big battles. But this was not just a physical battle. It was much more so a spiritual conquest and Caleb knew it. "Perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out as the Lord has spoken" (Joshua 14:12). This was not expressing doubts or wishes, but instead trust.
Notice Caleb did not stop after, "I will drive them out..." He tags on, "as the Lord has spoken." There is an older praise song that has this line in it, and I love it, "Hallelujah, God has spoken and I know it changes everything." Caleb knew that God had spoken. It didn't matter who, what, when, where or how they faced the opposition in battle, God had spoken: victory was theirs. And he knew, it had changed everything.
Know today that God has spoken not just over the Israelites of old, but also over you. There are spiritual and physical battles to be fought, but with God the victories have already been won.
Some of you may be fighting a battle which has already been won (there's no need to reconquer a burnt city!), stop and move on! Others are facing new battles... and even so, remember always, "If God is for us, who is against us?... For in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:31,37)
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