Age is Just a Number – the Story of Caleb

By: Edward Cortez

 

Caleb was one of the 12 spies sent by Moses to spy the land that was promised by God to the Israelites. He and Joshua brought back good reports and urged their people to attack and take possession of the land. But the 10 other spies brought discouraging reports that caused the people to melt in fear and rebel against the will of God for them. As a result, all the adults died in the wilderness except Joshua and Caleb. Now fast forward to 45 years later. Joshua led the Israelites to the promised land after the death of Moses and conquered the city of Jericho. Caleb at 85 years old spoke these words:
“Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (Joshua 14:10, 11).
Caleb showed remarkable courage and faith even after so many years. He was only 40 when he was sent as one of the spies. He was fearless and undaunted even in the presence of the giants – the sons of Anak, whom he considered “bread” for them. He was ready to take possession of the promised land immediately after they came back from spying the land. But, alas, the Israelites chose fear over faith, comfort over courage, and the easy way out instead of the hard way forward trusting in God’s power.
But not Caleb. His courage, tenacity, and faith never left him. At the age of 85 he said, “Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:12). Caleb was a persistent optimist. He saw challenges as opportunities. Three times it was said of him, he “followed the Lord wholeheartedly” (read Joshua 14). He also had a “different spirit” in that he followed the Lord fully (Numbers 14:24).
Age is just a number. The judge overseeing the criminal case against former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is a 92-year-old judge in Florida. Senator Chuck Grassley is still active in the Senate at the age of 92. President Donald Trump was more than 78 years old when he was inaugurated as president in his second term. My own dad is nearing 93 years old, and he is still teaching two weekly classes via zoom. The best years of our lives could still be ahead of us.

God is not done with us yet so long as we continue to follow the Lord wholeheartedly.
The book of Joshua records how Caleb drove out three giants and marched against their enemy’s territory – at the age of 85! How can we be like that? Stay faithful to the Lord. Refresh your vision. Look out for new opportunities to make an impact in the community. Be physically active. Volunteer and help other people. Stay motivated. Have a different spirit that sets you apart from others. Age is just a number.