March 3, 2025 - Joshua 13-14

“Now Joshua was old and advanced in years when the Lord said to him, ‘You are old and advanced in years, and very much of the land remains to be possessed’” (13:1).  And so, the pockets of resistance would be taken care of and the land divided among the tribes of Israel.  From this time is the story of Caleb and his request.  Caleb reminded Joshua about the promise Moses had made.  To Caleb, Moses had said, “Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully” (14:9).  Caleb thus said to Joshua, “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.  Now then, give me this hill country about which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the Lord will be with me, and I will drive them out as the Lord has spoken” (14:11-12).  An old man yet still faithful.  I once heard John Piper tell of two elderly ladies who, retired from their lifelong employments, spent their last years on the mission field.  Piper contrasted their example with that of a wealthy couple who bragged about being able to spend their retirement years collecting sea shells on the beach.  Oh, for more elderly ladies like those two.  Oh, for more Calebs and for more who would say:

The race is not yet run

And battles to be won

But in your strength I’m strong

Give me this mountain

I will not be turning back

Give me this mountain

For your glory

Give me this mountain

Jesus’ blood has overcome

So I’m not quitting till it’s done.   –Graham Kendrick (2013)