Lots of victories and lots of conquering going on, but the work was not yet completed: “Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the Lord said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess” (13:1). But the people still needed to plant and reap, to graze their animals, and to live in the land; so, “The people of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses; they allotted the land” (14:5). One of the most delightful and encouraging episodes takes place as the land was being allotted: 85-year old Caleb said to Joshua, “So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said” (14:10-12).
Caleb still was not afraid of those giants in the land. He was rip-roaring and ready to go. His take on the situation remained as it had been for all those years: “And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (Numbers 14:9). Caleb did not deny that there were giants to be overcome. He did not sugar coat the situation and ignore the challenges and dangers. But because the Lord was with him he was not overcome by fear. Oh, for some Calebs, today!