John Calvin Commentary Joshua 14:9

"And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy foot hath trodden shall be an inheritance to thee and to thy children for ever, because thou hast wholly followed Jehovah my God." — Joshua 14:9 (ASV)

And Moses swear on that day, etc. Here, then, is one fruit of the mission honestly and faithfully performed—to gain possession of an inheritance from which the whole people are deprived. For although long life is justly accounted one of God's mercies, the purpose for it is here added: namely, that Caleb might obtain the inheritance which is denied to others.

This was no ordinary privilege. He next extols God's faithfulness, who not only prolonged his life but also supplied such vigor and strength that, although he was now over eighty years of age, he was no weaker than when he was in the prime of his youth.

Others, too, had a vigorous old age, but they were few. In their case, a manly vigor that remained wholly unimpaired up to their eighty-fifth year was not added to the even tenor of their days. For he claims not only the skill and valor of a leader but also the physical strength of a soldier.

He next mentions the other duties and actions of his life. For 'to go out and to come in' is equivalent in Hebrew to performing all parts of one's duty. Caleb confirms this by his actions, when he demands it as his task to attack and expel the giants.

He is not, however, elated by complacent pride into a confident assurance of victory, but hopes for a successful outcome through God's assistance. There seems, indeed, to be an incongruous expression of doubt in the word 'Perhaps,' as if he were preparing himself by chance for the fight. Those commentators who think that he is distrusting himself from a feeling of modesty and considering his own weakness make a valid point, but they do not tell the whole story. They certainly omit what is most important: namely, that this 'Perhaps' refers to the common feelings people would have when considering the actual situation.

The first thing necessary is to properly consider what his intention is. If he had asked for the gift of a mountain that he could have seized without great effort, it would have been more difficult for him to obtain it. But now, when the difficulty of the task is clearly presented, he gains the favor of Joshua and the princes because, in agreeing to his request, they grant him nothing but the certainty of a difficult, uncertain, and dangerous contest.

Knowing, then, that the Israelites trembled and were terrified at the very name of the giants, he speaks from their perspective, as if it were a matter accompanied by doubt and uncertainty. As for himself, his words clearly demonstrate how far he was from viewing what had been said to him with a doubtful or wavering mind.

"I will drive them out," he says, "as the Lord has declared." Can we say that when he utters God's declaration, he doubts whether God will do what He promised? It is quite clear that he only reminded them how dangerous the undertaking was, so that he might more easily obtain their agreement.

Although it is not uncommon in Hebrew to use this term ('Perhaps') merely to denote difficulty, without implying that the mind is agitated by distrust or unease. How very difficult it was to drive out the giants from that stronghold can be inferred from the fact that Joshua died before Caleb ventured to attack them.