Caleb was now 85 years of age, and was still in possession of full vigor. He it was who, with Joshua, 45 years before, had seen the truth about the land, for he had not only seen the difficulties, he had seen God. The victory of his faith at KadeshBarnea had been that of a man who “wholly followed the Lord”. For 40 years he had shared the wanderings and discipline of those who had not shared his faith. For five years undoubtedly he had taken part in the conflict which had resulted in their coming into the land. During all that period he had never been uncertain of the issue. He had apparently occupied a comparatively quiet and obscure position among his people, while his friend Joshua had been called into the place of conspicuous and powerful leadership…
Caleb came while there was still much to be done; and urging his unabated vigor as constituting fitness for the work, he asked for a possession in the land, which would make stern demands upon him in order to make it his own. On that mountain the Anakim had dwelt; on it there had been great and fortified cities in the day when his faith had triumphed. They were still there, and he asked for the privilege of demonstrating and vindicating faith by works…
Joshua granted him the mountain he asked, and blessed him. In the history of Caleb three things are illustrated concerning faith. Faith sees and dares in the day of overwhelming difficulty. Faith waits patiently through delays caused by failure in others. Faith acts with courage in the day of opportunity.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One