Please God, Give Me a Mountain to Climb. (Joshua 14:1–15:63)

Welcome to today’s episode where we challenge the pursuit of comfort and convenience. In a world that often tempts us to settle for the easy path, we’re inviting you to be different—to boldly say, “God, give me a mountain to climb.”

Episode Notes

• Theme:
  Embracing God’s challenges rather than choosing comfort. Just as Caleb chose the difficult, mountainous inheritance over the easier, familiar paths, we too are called to trust God and pursue growth through struggle.
• Scriptural Context:
  • Joshua 14-15 details the division of the Promised Land, highlighting Caleb’s unwavering faith and his request for the challenging hill country.
  • These chapters remind us that while many opt for the easy lot, true spiritual growth is forged in the climbs we undertake for God.
• Key Takeaways:
  • Challenge Over Comfort: Don’t settle for lying on the spiritual beach when the mountain offers growth and victory.
  • Caleb’s Example: His bold declaration and trust in God serve as a powerful reminder that taking on challenges refines our character and deepens our faith.
  • Practical Reflection: Evaluate your decisions—are they based on what feels easy, or are you seeking God’s guidance to tackle the mountains in your life?

I hope this episode inspires you to choose the difficult but rewarding path. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or personal spiritual journey, embrace the climb and trust that God’s strength will carry you through every step.

Thank you for joining us as we explore what it means to say, “God, give me a mountain to climb.” Enjoy the episode and be encouraged to step out in faith!

Transcript

Please God, Give Me a Mountain to Climb. (Joshua 14:1–15:63)

Transcript: 

One thing I’ve observed in life is that most people want from their church is convenience and comfort—whether it’s a church near their home with a soft pew, or a career that feels easy and predictable. 

Most, but not me would rather stay on the beach than climb a mountain. But today, I want to challenge you to be different—to be the kind of person who says, “God, give me the mountain to climb.”

We have the freedom to choose our lot in life. Yet, while choosing comfort is a blessing, there’s danger in making choices without including the Lord. When we decide solely based on what looks good or feels easy, we risk missing God’s guidance entirely.

Our text today comes from Joshua chapters 14 and 15, which again record how the land was divided among some more of Israel’s tribes. 

In the first part of Joshua (chapters 1–12), the Israelites entered and conquered the land. Then, from chapters 13 through 19, the land is being apportioned by tribe—a process that might seem tedious because it’s filled with lists of names, dates, and geographical details.

But don’t dismiss these chapters as there are a spiritual lesson scattered through this lists primarily about choosing your lot in life.

Here’s a brief roadmap for these chapters:

• Chapters 14–15: Focus on the tribe of Judah. We see not only a listing of boundaries and cities but also the personal story of Caleb, whose faith and determination stand out.
• Chapters 16–17 and 18–19: Cover the allotments for the tribe of Joseph and the remaining tribes.

The key takeaway is this: while many settle for what seems convenient, the true blessing comes from actually choosing to climb the spiritual mountain.

That lie in embracing the challenges God sets before us. When we choose the spiritual mountain over the spiritual beach, we are saying that we value growth over comfort and that we trust God enough to take on the difficult tasks He assigns.

Today’s message should challenges you to examine your choices. Are you including the Lord in every decision, or are you letting convenience guide you? 

As you read todays chapters, remember that God’s plan for His people wasn’t just about claiming territory—it was about developing character, faith, and perseverance.

Let’s journey together through Joshua 14 and 15, and discover what it means to choose the mountain, to take on challenges that ultimately lead to greater victories and a deeper, more authentic walk with God….

Choosing Your Mountain: A Lesson from the Example of Caleb.

14 Now these are the areas the Israelites received as an inheritance in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel allotted to them. 2 Their inheritances were assigned by lot to the nine and a half tribes, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. 3 Moses had granted the two and a half tribes their inheritance east of the Jordan but had not granted the Levites an inheritance among the rest, 4 for Joseph’s descendants had become two tribes—Manasseh and Ephraim. The Levites received no share of the land but only towns to live in, with pasturelands for their flocks and herds. 5 So the Israelites divided the land, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.

(Joshua 14: 1-5)

In the first five verses of Joshua 14, we learn about the consignment of the land. The text tells us that two and a half tribes had already received their inheritance (as described in Joshua 13), leaving nine and a half tribes to share the remaining land. 

Now, you might wonder how this adds up. Remember, one of the original twelve tribes—Levi—received no land. 

To complete the count, Jacob blessed Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, making them separate tribes. 

Thus, although it might seem confusing at first glance, the division reflects God's arrangement: the land was distributed by lot for the tribes according to their size, with a committee later determining the precise portions.

But there is another important aspect in these chapters—the concern of Caleb. 

The Allotment for Caleb

6 Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. 7 I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, 8 but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. 9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’ 10 “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! 11 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. 12 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.”  13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. 14 So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. 15 (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)

Then the land had rest from war.

(Joshua 14: 6-15)

Caleb was one of the twelve spies sent at Kadesh Barnea, he recalls that while ten spies were paralyzed by fear, he boldly declared his readiness to enter the land. He reminded Joshua of God's promise to give him Hebron, emphasizing that he had  "wholly followed the Lord." 

This statement, drawn from verse 8, is not just about obedience; it illustrates what it means to truly follow God. 

Caleb’s approach involved ignoring the intimidating details of fortified cities and fierce warriors and to magnify God's power instead of magnifying the problems. His unwavering faith stood in stark contrast to the fear that gripped the other ten spies.

Caleb’s example teaches us two crucial lessons:

·       Follow God Closely: Just as an experienced guide leads his followers through difficult terrain, Caleb trusted and followed the Lord without wavering.

·       Stand Firm in Faith: In the face of opposition and fear, he did not compromise. Instead, he boldly declared, "No, we can do it—let’s follow the Lord."

This is the kind of determination and trust that God desires from us when choosing our lot in life.

Sometimes people look at the opposition or the problem and we do nothing because of the perceived opposition. 

I'm reminded of a rather well-known statement made by Martin Niemöller  a Lutheran pastor in Germany during World War Two. 

He said first the Nazis came from the communist and I didn't speak up. But I was not a communist when the Nazis came for the Jews and I did not speak up. Why? I was not a Jew when the Nazis came for the trade unionists and I did not speak up when I was not a trade unionist, and then the Nazis. For the Catholics and I did not speak up, for I was a Protestant and then the Nazis came from me and by that time there was no one left to speak up or anyone.

(From Niemöller Speech for the Confessing Church Conference, January 6th 1946 Frankfurt.)

Joshua’s account of conquering the land may seem contradictory at first. In Chapter 11, Joshua declares that he has conquered the whole land—yet in Chapter 13, we learn that much of it remains to be possessed. The explanation is simple: when Joshua said “we conquered the land,” he meant that he had captured its key centers.

Although the major cities were taken, the complete subjugation of every last part of the land was a gradual process. Civic and Military had been conquered, hearts and minds, less so.

Before entering Canaan, God warned in Exodus 23:30 and Deuteronomy 7:22 that He would drive out the nations little by little so that they wouldn’t be overwhelmed. Joshua’s prolonged campaign, which took months and even years, illustrates that victory.

Whether that victory is in OT in warfare or in our contemporary spiritual lives—is not instantaneous. 

True growth, whether conquering territories or maturing in faith, happens gradually. It demands patient perseverance, because if we expect rapid results, we will only become discouraged when progress is slow.

This lesson from Joshua is therefore meant to mirror our own spiritual journey.

Just as the Israelites did not conquer every inch of land in a day, we too must understand that spiritual maturity takes time. It requires steady, consistent effort and a willingness to endure setbacks. 

When we anticipate immediate breakthroughs, we risk becoming disheartened. Instead, we must trust that God, in His timing, will fulfill His promises. 

Joshua’s gradual conquest also teaches us that lasting victory comes not from instant gratification but from persistent effort and faith. As you pursue spiritual growth, remember growth is gradual, and God’s blessings come in His perfect timing.

Chapter 15 - The Allotment for Judah

1The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south.

2 Their southern boundary started from the bay at the southern end of the Dead Sea, 3 crossed south of Scorpion Pass, continued on to Zin and went over to the south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it ran past Hezron up to Addar and curved around to Karka. 4 It then passed along to Azmon and joined the Wadi of Egypt, ending at the Mediterranean Sea. This is their[a] southern boundary.

5 The eastern boundary is the Dead Sea as far as the mouth of the Jordan.

The northern boundary started from the bay of the sea at the mouth of the Jordan, 6 went up to Beth Hoglah and continued north of Beth Arabah to the Stone of Bohan son of Reuben. 7 The boundary then went up to Debir from the Valley of Achor and turned north to Gilgal, which faces the Pass of Adummim south of the gorge. It continued along to the waters of En Shemesh and came out at En Rogel. 8 Then it ran up the Valley of Ben Hinnom along the southern slope of the Jebusite city (that is, Jerusalem). From there it climbed to the top of the hill west of the Hinnom Valley at the northern end of the Valley of Rephaim. 9 From the hilltop the boundary headed toward the spring of the waters of Nephtoah, came out at the towns of Mount Ephron and went down toward Baalah (that is, Kiriath Jearim). 10 Then it curved westward from Baalah to Mount Seir, ran along the northern slope of Mount Jearim (that is, Kesalon), continued down to Beth Shemesh and crossed to Timnah. 11 It went to the northern slope of Ekron, turned toward Shikkeron, passed along to Mount Baalah and reached Jabneel. The boundary ended at the sea.

12 The western boundary is the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

These are the boundaries around the people of Judah by their clans.

13 In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) 14 From Hebron Caleb drove out the three Anakites—Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, the sons of Anak. 15 From there he marched against the people living in Debir (formerly called Kiriath Sepher). 16 And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” 17 Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

18 One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?”

19 She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, according to its clans:

21 The southernmost towns of the tribe of Judah in the Negev toward the boundary of Edom were:

Kabzeel, Eder, Jagur, 22 Kinah, Dimonah, Adadah, 23 Kedesh, Hazor, Ithnan, 24 Ziph, Telem, Bealoth, 25 Hazor Hadattah, Kerioth Hezron (that is, Hazor), 26 Amam, Shema, Moladah, 27 Hazar Gaddah, Heshmon, Beth Pelet, 28 Hazar Shual, Beersheba, Biziothiah, 29 Baalah, Iyim, Ezem, 30 Eltolad, Kesil, Hormah, 31 Ziklag, Madmannah, Sansannah, 32 Lebaoth, Shilhim, Ain and Rimmon—a total of twenty-nine towns and their villages.

33 In the western foothills:

Eshtaol, Zorah, Ashnah, 34 Zanoah, En Gannim, Tappuah, Enam, 35 Jarmuth, Adullam, Sokoh, Azekah, 36 Shaaraim, Adithaim and Gederah (or Gederothaim)[c]—fourteen towns and their villages. 37 Zenan, Hadashah, Migdal Gad, 38 Dilean, Mizpah, Joktheel, 39 Lachish, Bozkath, Eglon, 40 Kabbon, Lahmas, Kitlish, 41 Gederoth, Beth Dagon, Naamah and Makkedah—sixteen towns and their villages. 42 Libnah, Ether, Ashan, 43 Iphtah, Ashnah, Nezib, 44 Keilah, Akzib and Mareshah—nine towns and their villages.45 Ekron, with its surrounding settlements and villages; 46 west of Ekron, all that were in the vicinity of Ashdod, together with their villages; 47 Ashdod, its surrounding settlements and villages; and Gaza, its settlements and villages, as far as the Wadi of Egypt and the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea.

48 In the hill country:

Shamir, Jattir, Sokoh, 49 Dannah, Kiriath Sannah (that is, Debir), 50 Anab, Eshtemoh, Anim, 51 Goshen, Holon and Giloh—eleven towns and their villages.

52 Arab, Dumah, Eshan, 53 Janim, Beth Tappuah, Aphekah, 54 Humtah, Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) and Zior—nine towns and their villages. 55 Maon, Carmel, Ziph, Juttah, 56 Jezreel, Jokdeam, Zanoah, 57 Kain, Gibeah and Timnah—ten towns and their villages. 58 Halhul, Beth Zur, Gedor, 59 Maarath, Beth Anoth and Eltekon—six towns and their villages.60 Kiriath Baal (that is, Kiriath Jearim) and Rabbah—two towns and their villages.

61 In the wilderness:

Beth Arabah, Middin, Sekakah, 62 Nibshan, the City of Salt and En Gedi—six towns and their villages. 

63 Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites, who were living in Jerusalem; to this day the Jebusites live there with the people of Judah.

(Joshua 15: 1-63)

Did you notice Caleb declared, “Whoever goes in and conquers that city, I will give my daughter for his wife.” (Joshua 15:16)

Imagine a modern father saying that—my daughter would likely object! Yet, this was the custom of that time. We see similar arrangements elsewhere in Scripture: Jacob negotiated with Laban over his daughters, and even King Saul promised one of his daughters to the man who defeated Goliath.

This tradition shows that, in biblical times, marriage decisions were made by the father rather than being based solely on personal affection. 

The Bible doesn’t actually teach that you must marry the one you fall in love with; instead, it instructs us to choose a spouse who is a fellow believer.

In 1 Corinthians 7, we read that a widow may marry anyone—but only in the Lord. Whether your personal preference in a marriage spouse might be, the essential criterion is that your partner is a Christian.

Caleb’s bold offer wasn’t a sign of lack of faith or even bravery. In fact, his record proves his courage, he even conquered giants. His offer of his daughter was his way of extending God’s blessing through and beyond his family, and not a sign of weakness.

While this practice may seem foreign today, it reminds us that our choices in marriage should honor God. We shouldn’t look for a partner as if God were handing out a one-size-fits-all solution; rather, we must choose wisely and follow biblical principles.

Ultimately, Caleb’s declaration challenges us to ensure that our decisions—even in marriage—reflect our commitment to God’s ways.

There’s one part of this passage that has always intrigued me. After Caleb’s victory, his daughter—having married the conqueror—came to her father and asked for a field. 

At first glance, it might seem odd that, after conquering a city, she still desired a stretch of fertile land. The simple practical answer seems is that the city likely lacked a natural spring, whereas the field had one.

In other words, even after a great victory, the need for life-sustaining resources remained.

This request reflects a familiar pattern: like father, like daughter.

In Chapter 14, Caleb boldly declares, “I wholly followed the Lord,” and later in Chapter 15, his daughter echoes that same spirit. 

Caleb wasn’t content with the easy, comfortable portions of land chosen by the 2½ tribes on the east side of the Jordan. Instead, he asked for the mountain, the challenging, water-rich terrain—because he knew that serving the Lord often means embracing difficult tasks rather than settling for comfort.

In Chapter 15, we have seen a detailed list of the cities allocated to the tribe of Judah. Though the names and boundaries may seem tedious, the key lesson is this: those who dare to take on tough challenges for God receive His abundant blessings. 

Caleb’s decision to pursue the difficult portion of the land not only brought him victory at Hebron but also ensured that his children would inherit his bold, faith-filled spirit.

The principle is clear: if you choose the easy, comfortable path, you may find yourself lacking the fullness of God’s blessing. But when you embrace the challenges God sets before you, you open the door to His power and favor. 

I’ve learned this personally; though I’ve sometimes sought comfort over challenge, I’ve discovered that the hard work and sacrifice of following God are far more rewarding.

So let this be your reminder: Choose the mountain over the easy path. 

Embrace the challenges, and you will see God’s transformative power in your life—and leave a legacy of faith for those who follow.

What I'm telling you is we need to start thinking in terms of where is the mountain? What is it God wants us to do? 

So go figure that out and do it and what I can promise you is that  and God will be with you and you will have his hand of blessing on you.

Today I challenge you to choose the mountain—those daunting challenges that forge our faith and shape our destiny. Like Caleb, who boldly declared, “Give me the mountain to climb,” we are called to reject the easy, comfortable path and embrace the sometimes difficult journey that God has laid before us.

Imagine standing at the base of a towering mountain. The climb will be steep and the path, uncertain. Yet every step upward is a testament to your faith and every struggle refines your character. 

When you choose the mountain, you are saying: “I trust You, Lord, to be my guide and my strength.” Even when the ascent seems impossible, remember that God’s presence is with you, turning obstacles into opportunities and hardships into blessings.

This is more than a call to action—it is a declaration of our faith. 

It means rising above our fears, stepping out of our comfort zones, and daring to pursue the life God envisions for us. 

Whether it’s a challenge in your career, your relationships, or your spiritual journey, know that the mountain before you is a divine invitation, no an opportunity to grow and conquer.

So, I urge you today: Stand tall, embrace the climb, and trust that God will carry you every step of the way. Let your life be a resounding testimony of courage, resilience, and unwavering faith.

Choose the mountain, it may be your only option anyway for it is there, and it is also in that you will discover the fullness of God’s planned abundant blessings for your life.