INTRODUCTION: Caleb’s name means dog . He was a Kenezite and was therefore not of pure Jewish blood. Therefore, he was a dog with bad blood . That sounds like Gentiles before the age of grace. Caleb did not have an honorable name or an impressive pedigree. But God used him and blessed him in a marvelous way. In fact, Caleb’s faithful life changed his name into an honorable one. This lesson tells how he did it.

1. THE TIME OF INHERITANCE (Joshua 14:1-5 [1] And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. [2] By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. [3] For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. [4] For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. [5] As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
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1. Most of the Land Has Been Conquered (Joshua 11:15-23 [15] As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. [16] So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; [17] Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. [18] Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. [19] There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. [20] For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. [21] And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. [22] There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. [23] So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war.
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2. Joshua’s Age Keeps Him from Doing More (Joshua 13:1Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
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3. The Nine-and-a-Half Tribes (Joshua 14:1-2 [1] And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. [2] By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
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1. On the west side of the Jordan
2. Granted inheritance at this time (Joshua 14:1And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them.
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3. Inheritance determined by lot (Joshua 14:2By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe.
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4. The Two-and-a-Half Tribes (Joshua 14:3For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
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1. On the east side of Jordan
2. Inheritance already granted by Moses
5. The Tribe of Levi (Joshua 14:3For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them.
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1. Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh) receives two lots (Joshua 14:4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
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2. Levi (the priestly tribe) receives none (Joshua 14:4For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
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1. The Levites were given cities from among the children of Israel (Numbers 35:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
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2. The Lord was their part and inheritance among the children of Israel (Numbers 18:20And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.
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3. Land allotted according to the command of Moses (Joshua 14:5As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land.
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2. THE PROMISE OF MOUNT HEBRON (Joshua 14:6-9 [6] Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. [7] Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. [8] Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. [9] And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
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1. The Word of Moses (Joshua 14:6Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
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1. The children of Judah approach Joshua in Gilgal.
2. Caleb comes to Joshua concerning his inheritance.
3. Caleb reminds Joshua of the word of Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning Joshua and Caleb.
2. The Faithfulness of Caleb (Joshua 14:7-8 [7] Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. [8] Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
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1. Caleb went to spy the land (Joshua 14:7Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
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1. From Kadesh-barnea
2. At age of forty
3. He brought Moses word according to what was done in his heart.
2. Caleb brought a faithful report (Joshua 14:8Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.
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1. Against the tide of his brethren
1. Caleb was in the minority.
2. Ten spies were against him and eventually the majority of the congregation.
3. The brethren brought a message of unbelief while Caleb brought a message of belief in the promises of God.
2. At the risk of losing his life (Numbers 14:10But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
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3. Wholly following the Lord
3. The Promise of Hebron (Joshua 14:9And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.
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1. Moses rewarded Caleb’s faithfulness.
2. He promised him Hebron for himself and for his posterity.
3. This is the land that the spies especially searched.
3. CALEB’S CLAIM ON MOUNT HEBRON (Joshua 14:10-12 [10] And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: 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: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. [12] Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
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1. Caleb’s Long Wait (Joshua 14:10And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
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1. The promise was made forty-five years before.
2. Caleb is now eighty-five years old.
3. Caleb trusts that God has kept him alive to fulfill His promise.
2. Caleb’s Present Condition (Joshua 14:11As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
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1. His strength has remained with him.
1. In the same manner as Moses (Deuteronomy 34:7And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
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2. This reminds us of the blessing of Moses upon Asher (Deuteronomy 33:25Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
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3. As believers, we have a promise of strength, but our strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
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2. He is still able to go to war.
1. To go out
2. To come in
3. Basically, Caleb is saying that he is strong enough (with God’s help) to go out to battle and to come in from the battle victorious.
3. Caleb’s Confident Claim (Joshua 14:12Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
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1. He now claims the promised mountain.
2. He is ready to drive the Anakims out with the Lord’s help.
4. CALEB INHERITS MOUNT HEBRON (Joshua 14:13-15 [13] And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. [14] Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. [15] And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
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1. Joshua Gives Hebron to Caleb (Joshua 14:13And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
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1. Joshua blesses Caleb.
2. Joshua gives Caleb the right to the land.
2. Caleb’s Faithfulness Brings His Inheritance (Joshua 14:14Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.
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1. Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb.
2. The inheritance was received based on Caleb’s faithfulness.
3. Caleb Takes Kirjath-arba of the Anakims (Joshua 14:15And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.
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1. Hebron had been called Kirjath-arba.
1. Kirjath-arba
1. Kirjath means “city of”
2. Arba was a great man of the Anakims.
1. Can also be spelled Arbah (Genesis 35:27And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
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2. The father of Anak (Joshua 15:13And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron.
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3. The Anakims were of the giants (Deuteronomy 2:10-11 [10] The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; [11] Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites called them Emims.
   See All..., 21; Deuteronomy 9:2A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!
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2. Hebron means “friendship.”
1. Hebron was a place known well by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 13:18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
   See All...; Genesis 23:2And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.
   See All...; Genesis 35:27And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
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1. Like Abraham, Caleb had to wait until late in life to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to him.
2. Like Abraham, Caleb required supernatural strength to accomplish God’s will for his life.
2. At least a portion of this land was purchased by Abraham (Genesis 23:1-20 [1] And Sarah was an hundred and seven and twenty years old: these were the years of the life of Sarah. [2] And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. [3] And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake unto the sons of Heth, saying, [4] I am a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight. [5] And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, [6] Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us: in the choice of our sepulchres bury thy dead; none of us shall withhold from thee his sepulchre, but that thou mayest bury thy dead. [7] And Abraham stood up, and bowed himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. [8] And he communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out of my sight; hear me, and intreat for me to Ephron the son of Zohar, [9] That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you. [10] And Ephron dwelt among the children of Heth: and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the audience of the children of Heth, even of all that went in at the gate of his city, saying, [11] Nay, my lord, hear me: the field give I thee, and the cave that is therein, I give it thee; in the presence of the sons of my people give I it thee: bury thy dead. [12] And Abraham bowed down himself before the people of the land. [13] And he spake unto Ephron in the audience of the people of the land, saying, But if thou wilt give it, I pray thee, hear me: I will give thee money for the field; take it of me, and I will bury my dead there. [14] And Ephron answered Abraham, saying unto him, [15] My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead. [16] And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant. [17] And the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field, and the cave which was therein, and all the trees that were in the field, that were in all the borders round about, were made sure [18] Unto Abraham for a possession in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city. [19] And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. [20] And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth.
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3. This also may very well be the place from which the cluster of grapes came (Numbers 13:22-25 [22] And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) [23] And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. [24] The place was called the brook Eshcol, because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. [25] And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.
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2. The land had rest from war.

CONCLUSION: Caleb was a man that had a heart for God and His word. Complete obedience was the only option. He had faithfully followed the Lord for the last forty-five years fully expecting to receive the promise given to him those many years back. How can we apply the lessons of Caleb’s life to our own life?