What is the story of Joshua and Caleb in the Bible?

Response

Joshua and Caleb are two men from Israel whose stories exemplify faithful commitment to the Lord. They both left Egypt with the Israelites, crossed the Red Sea, and journeyed into the wilderness. Joshua and Caleb, along with ten other men, were chosen to explore the Promised Land and report back to Moses and the people.

After a 40-day exploration of Canaan, the scouts reported, “We entered the land to which you sent us, and it truly flows with milk and honey! Here is its produce. However, the inhabitants are strong, the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there” (Numbers 13:27-28). This report instilled fear in the people (Numbers 13:31-33).

Caleb had a different perspective compared to the other spies. Verse 30 states, “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’” When the people expressed doubt about conquering the land, both Caleb and Joshua stood firm: “Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh . . . tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, ‘The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them’” (Numbers 14:6-9).

God punished the Israelites by making them wait 40 years before entering the land. He also decreed that every individual aged 20 or older would perish in the wilderness.And would not see the land with two exceptions—Caleb and Joshua. Why? “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (Numbers 14:24; see also verse 30). Verse 38 adds, “Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”

This promise came true. After the death of Moses 40 years later, Joshua led the people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Caleb received an inheritance in the Promised Land in his old age (Joshua 14).

The faithfulness of Joshua and Caleb teaches us that we are to stand for God even when others will not. When we do, God may choose to bless us in ways that will extend for generations to come.