Oshea, whose name Moses changed to Joshua (Num ) served Moses since he was a youth. This would have put him in the limelight. He led the army to fight against Amalek. He had many opportunities to be in God’s presence in the tabernacle of congregation with Moses where he stayed even after the leader left. (Ex. 33:11) As a ‘prince’ of his tribe (Ephraim) he was sent to scout out the Promised Land with 11 men, and he was one of two men to return saying Israel was more than able to take the land with God’s help (Num. 14:6-10) and was almost killed for it. After Moses death, Joshua took over leadership, brought the people into and conquered the Promised Land, then helped to divide it between the tribes. (Jos. 14+) He was honoured by the people as Moses was. (Jos. 4:14) He died at the old age of 110. (Jos. 24:29)
Caleb was from the tribe of Judah
And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, …and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. (Jos.14:10-12) Then he did it. (Jos. 15:14)
After his take over of the land, Caleb isn’t mentioned but briefly. His death is not listed in the Bible. Two men, two different lives and purposes: one in the limelight, one in the background. One in a position of great power and responsibility and one documented as standing out only a couple of times. Was one more important than another? I think not. The Lord planned their paths to be distinctive, yet He used each of their lives.
Both Joshua and Caleb were greatly used by God. They believed God was able to help His people conquer Canaan . Joshua and Caleb tried to change the people’s minds from giving up. (Num. 14:7-9) though they were almost killed for it. The Lord said they both wholly followed Him. (Num 32:12) They had full confidence in their Lord. They had similarities of faith but diversity of paths and purposes, each to the glory of God.
These two men could have fought the paths God wanted them to follow, they could have been jealous of someone else’s position. They could have thrust themselves into the forefront or background where God didn’t want them. Instead they fulfilled God’s plans in their individual lives. I would say, both men were highly successful. Wouldn’t you?