Only two men believed Israel could take possession of Canaan the first time Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land. Joshua and Caleb were those two men. And they were the only two men from that generation that were able to enter the Promised Land (Num. 14:24,30,38).
Understand that Caleb was born as a bondage baby in Egypt. He grew up eating the leeks and onions. He was well acquainted with the oppressions of living in Egypt. Furthermore, he witnessed first-hand the miracles wrought by the hand of God in Egypt and the wilderness. There’s no wonder why he believed the giants in Canaan were no match for God. While his fellow spies only seen giants, he had visions of God (Num. 13:30)! That’s because Caleb had a different kind of spirit, which enabled him to wholly follow after God (Num. 14:24; Josh. 14:8-9).
The next time we read about Caleb, however, is when the land is being divided up amongst the tribes of Israel. Forty-five years had passed since Caleb’s first journey to Canaan making him eighty-five years old. Now the time had come for Caleb to claim his portion of the land. Caleb said, “Now therefore give me this mountain” (Josh. 14:12). The mountain of which Caleb spoke was greatly fortified and filled with giants! Caleb may have been old, but he wasn’t about to let any giants stop him. Caleb, at his age, could have desired beach front properties that didn’t have giants. But Caleb wasn’t that kind of man.
A mountain meant it was an uphill battle. Caleb wanted it. The giants were bigger than him and his men. Caleb still wanted it. The city was greatly fortified, which meant they had to be torn down. Not a problem for Caleb.
Caleb’s name in the Hebrew means “dog.” That perfectly sums up his life. Caleb had a dogged desire to do hard things. And like a good dog, he wholly followed after the Lord. Caleb was bark and bite! He wanted the mountain, and the giants.
Dear reader, what is your mountain? Go take possession of it. Where are your giants? Go face and overcome them. Caleb had a different spirit, but we have the Holy Spirit! Now, go get your mountain!