Caleb was a Kenizzite, a group outside of the Jews. How did I miss this?
As with many figures in the Bible, the text is sparse. Caleb speaks up at this point in his life---after many years of believing, fighting, and following. He reminds Joshua of the promise God made to him years ago. He speaks up at the right time, for the right reason twice in the scriptures---
Once, when the spies were afraid.
Once, when inheritances are given out.
Both were the exact right times for the exact right reasons. The rest of the time, he holds his peace as far as we are told.
I love this commentary from the BKC:
"Caleb is introduced in this passage as the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite. According to Gen_15:19 the Kenizzites were a tribe of Canaan in Abraham’s day. Caleb’s family then was originally outside the covenant and commonwealth of Israel as were Heber the Kenite (Jdg_4:17), Ruth the Moabitess (Rth_1:1-5), Uriah the Hittite (2Sa_11:3, 2Sa_11:6, 2Sa_11:24), and others. It is apparent that the Kenizzites in part at least joined the tribe of Judah before the Exodus. So their faith was not hereditary but was the fruit of conviction. And Caleb displayed that faith throughout his long lifetime.
Standing before General Joshua, his old friend and fellow spy (Num_14:6), 85-year-old Caleb (Jos_14:10) told the story of that never-to-be forgotten day, 45 years before (Jos_14:10), when the 2 of them stood alone against the other 10 spies and the cowardly mob. For Moses had sent 12 spies into Canaan (Num_13:2); 2 of them were Caleb and Joshua (Num_13:6, Num_13:8). When the spies returned 10 of them praised the land itself but fearfully concluded Israel could not conquer it (Num_13:27-29, Num_13:31-33). Caleb, however, dared to disagree (Num_13:30), and when the fears of the people threatened to bring national rebellion Joshua joined his colleague in urging the people to trust God for victory (Num_14:6-9). For Caleb’s leadership against the unbelieving spies and people, God singled him out for blessing and promised him a special reward (Num_14:24; Deu_1:36).
Caleb’s testimony (Jos_14:6-12) was simple. He had spoken on that memorable day according to his convictions. He did not minimize the problems - the giants and the fortified cities - but he magnified God. To him, God was greater than the biggest problem. Caleb had faith in the power of God. Not so the other spies. They magnified the problems and thereby minimized God. But Caleb would not follow the crowd. He did not once consider sacrificing his own convictions in order to make the majority report unanimous. Instead he followed the Lord his God wholeheartedly (cf. Jos_14:14)."
"You are bigger than I thought You were."
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