“Now therefore, give me this mountain…. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.”
Joshua 14:12
We returned late yesterday from our almost two-week vacation in Oregon. I spent time this morning looking through the multitude of photos taken. Whether in the desert of central Oregon, on the rugged shores of the Pacific coastline, or somewhere in between, the natural beauty of the State is overwhelming.
In the six-plus years we lived in Oregon, we never visited Oregon’s High Desert and Smith Rock. Smith Rock State Park boasts of being the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing and offers nearly 2,000 climbing routes. It was a breathtaking display of God’s handiwork. When I remember the High Desert and view the pics taken, words immediately come to my mind: intoxicating, incredible, impressive, intimidating, insurmountable, impossible.
As an acrophobic, preferring both feet to be planted firmly on flat, solid ground, I greatly respect the determination and skill of those brave souls who relish the challenge of scaling a vertical surface to conquer a mountain. But I cannot imagine attempting the feat myself.
Caleb was one of twelve spies sent by Moses to scope out the land God had promised to the Children of Israel (Numbers 13:1-24). When the spies returned with a discouraging report of the giant-filled, highly fortified land, only Caleb and Joshua urged the people to trust God and move forward to conquer the land. (Numbers 13:25-33)
But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 ESV
The ten spies told the Israelites that there was no way they could conquer the inhabitants of the land, who were physically larger, stronger, and better equipped for battle—”They are stronger than we are.” The Israelites believed the ten spies instead of God’s promise, and Israel wandered the desert wilderness for forty long years before stepping foot again in the Promised Land.
Forty-five years later, a faithful and still-believing Caleb claimed the promise of God that he would one day take possession of the land he had walked upon as a spy.
“Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim [were] there, and [that] the cities [were] great [and] fortified. It may be that the LORD [will be] with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Joshua 14:12-13 NKJV
Hebron was a primary factor in the negative report given by the ten spies. It was a highly fortified city populated by the fierce descendants of Anak—a literal giant of a man. Hebron was a city of significant historical importance to the Israelites—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and his sons had lived there.
Hebron’s importance continued over the years; David was first crowned king in Hebron. There are numerous other mentions of Hebron in the Old Testament.
For five years, Israel had battled to claim their inheritance from God. Caleb could have easily chosen his inheritance from a prime section of land already conquered and in Israel’s control. Instead, Caleb asked for the mountain still occupied by giants who lived in walled and impregnable cities.
“Give me this mountain… It may be that the LORD [will be] with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” Joshua 14:12 NKJV
Instead of accepting a lesser inheritance, Caleb would not be satisfied with anything less than God’s best. Hebron was lush. It flowed with milk and honey. Its crops and fruit were strong, healthy, and abundant. Hebron was Caleb’s request.
Just as Caleb had trusted God forty-five years earlier that God would fight for Israel if they obeyed and followed Him into the Promised Land, Caleb still believed that God would fulfill His promises. And Caleb was not going to settle for less.
How often do we miss God’s best because we’re too afraid of the giants and barriers ahead of us to proceed?
We see an extraordinary God-given opportunity and say, “Wow! That’s intoxicating, incredible, impressive, intimidating, insurmountable, impossible.” But our focus is on the “intimidating, insurmountable, and impossible.”
Like Israel, we look at our strengths and know we’re not up to the task, so we refuse to move forward following God. We trust in ourselves instead of trusting God. And so we delay, or miss out, on something special – something superior that God had in store for us.
He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid… And He brought them to His holy land, to the mountain which His right hand had won. He drove out nations before them; He apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. Psalm 78:53-55 ESV
Perhaps one day (it will have to be sooner than later because I’m getting older by the minute), I might be willing to try to climb a mountain (a very short one!). I “kinda” doubt it, but you never know.
But I know this: I don’t want to miss out on whatever God has for me. I don’t want to look at my own strengths and capabilities and say, “Nope, can’t do it. I don’t have the ability to pull that off!”
I want to be like Caleb—faithful and trusting God to do what He said He would do. Caleb knew only God could win the battle against the giants in their barricaded, heavily guarded cities.
What do you want? Are you willing to settle for the lesser flatlands of life? Or do you long to take possession of the mountain God has placed before you?
We can be confident that whatever God leads us to do—whatever course He tells us to take, He will be the One leading the charge and taking on the giants we will face. He is our Giant-slayer. He is our Victory.
Trust God. Ask for a mountain.
It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that He might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9 ESV