Joshua 14:6-14 and 19:49,50
You remember that twelve men were sent from the camp of Israel white they were in the desert land, to learn about the land and people of Canaan.
When the men returned, ten of them said it was not a safe land to go to because there were giants there. But two of them, Joshua and Caleb, said it was a good land and the Lord would help them go in. The people became very angry at them and tried to stone them, but the Lord saved them, and they were the only ones of the men who later got into Canaan (Num. 14:6-10).
In the Book of Joshua we learn that God had promised to give Joshua and Caleb special kind to be theirs and their children’s. Caleb asked for his part in a mountain, which was not easy to take from the men of Canaan who were mighty men, but he took it, although he was then eighty-five years old. And Joshua received his part also in a mountain and lived there. So these men were both very brave and strong, although they were not young. The reason they had so much courage was because they really believed God’s promises, and that He would help them.
A daughter of Caleb, also thought the land good to be used. Her father gave her and her husband a field and she asked for a part with a spring of water and her father gave her two places of springs, which would refresh them and others (Josh. 15:17-20).
Perhaps you remember of some other daughters who asked for a share of land, because their father was dead, and there were no sons. These five sisters came to Joshua and he told them where their share should be (Num. 27:1-8; Josh. 17:3-6).
Then there were some of the people who asked for more lands than were allotted to them, and they were told that they could take more (Josh. 17:14-18 and 19:47).
You see it is not greedy to ask for more of God’s gifts, because there is plenty for all, and He wishes to give. But His gifts now are not of fields or springs, but of joy and comfort of His Word, and He will add to our joy and knowledge, so we may also help others, if we value and use what He already has given.
ML 05/15/1938