“Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out just as the LORD has spoken.” (Josh 14:12)
To fully understand this request by Caleb we need to look at Numbers 13-14 where the people refuse to enter the Promised Land. Central to their concern was: “The people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And indeed, we saw the descendants of Anak there!” For his inheritance, Caleb asks for the very plot of land that caused the people to turn away in fear.
Hebrews 11:10 tells us that Abraham “was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” The same could be said for Caleb: his inheritance was not a piece of land–his inheritance was God. When we view God as our “exceedingly great reward” (Gen 15:1, KJV) we live our lives in a more courageous way. When I feel courageous (or want to feel courageous) I pray aloud to God, “Give me the hill country.”