John Calvin Commentary Joshua 14:7

"Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of Jehovah sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in my heart." — Joshua 14:7 (ASV)

Forty years old was I, etc. He seems to speak of his own virtue in rather loftier terms than befits a pious and modest man. But let us remember that, since the matter was in itself likely to cause resentment and liable to many objections, it needed special commendation as a means of suppressing envy.

He therefore mentions that he had acted in good faith in bringing back an account of what he had learned concerning the land. For the expression, As it was in my heart, evidently denotes sincerity, the heart being thus opposed to deceitful words. It is a ridiculous fiction to imagine that he had said it in his heart because, from fear of being killed by his companions, he had not ventured to mention anything of the kind along the way.

Nothing more is meant than simply this: he acted honestly according to the command given him, without distortion or pretense. He elaborates on the merit of his integrity because, although he was opposed by all his colleagues (with the exception of Joshua), he did not yield to their malice, nor was he dispirited by their iniquitous conspiracy, but steadfastly pursued his purpose.

The words, taken in their most literal sense, are, I filled or fulfilled to go after your God. But the obvious meaning is that he was not seduced from a faithful discharge of his duty by the wicked machinations of ten men, however difficult it was to resist them. He remained steadfast because he followed God with inflexible perseverance, feeling perfectly assured that God was the author of the expedition from which those perfidious men were endeavoring to lead the people astray.

Let us learn from this passage:

1. That unless the last part corresponds to the first, good beginnings vanish away.
2. That constancy is deserving of praise only when we follow God.