Contrast Caleb's confidence in Joshua 14:6-15 with the fearful whining of the people of Joseph in 17:14-18. With the same faith he demonstrated as a spy and for which God rewarded by giving him entry into the Promised Land, Caleb, now 85 years of age, praises God for his youthful strength and energy and asks Joshua's blessings on his taking Hebron from the Anakites. Remember, the Anakites were giant people feared by most of the Israelites (see Deuteronomy 1:19-28). Caleb acknowledges that this hill country he wants to take is host to Anakites and that their cities are "large and fortified." In fact, the city was named after the greatest man among the Anakites! Yet Caleb acknowledges, "the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."
Unfortunately Caleb is unique in his absolute trust of God. When the people of Joseph complain that they weren't allotted enough land for all their people, Joshua replies that they should take more land for themselves. The people hesitate because "the Canaanites who live in the plains have iron chariots." Here, even with a much larger force, the people fail to trust God's promise to them: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (1:9).
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