In rending or tearing their clothes, Joshua and Caleb identified with the failure that had come in amongst the Lord’s people. Later on in the history of Israel, we read, “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil” (Joel 2:1313And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (Joel 2:13)). Recognizing our failure and identifying with it in contrition and repentance has always been the way of blessing. It does not mean that we literally tear our clothes, but we need to have rent or torn hearts, that feel the seriousness of our state, and the dishonor that it brings to God, owning our own part in it.
Caleb might have stood apart with the attitude that He and Joshua were the only faithful ones. He might have felt that he was the only one who had “wholly followed the Lord.” But no, feeling very keenly what had just happened, he owns his part and takes the humble place.
We can never stand aloof from the failure, ruin, and general condition of deterioration that characterizes the Christian testimony in the “last days.” Those who are used in blessing in times of declension and breakdown are those who take their place with their brethren, in confession and contrition. Never do they compromise or make a concession when it comes to the principles of God’s Word, but by their humility and willingness to be spent for their brethren, they are used by the Lord in remarkable ways. It is not always in connection with great revivals, but for the encouragement and strengthening of a remnant, and the restoration of individuals.
We see many examples of this in the Old Testament. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and a host of others. The Lord still has his Calebs today, and how thankful we can be for those who are faithful in the midst of unfaithfulness, and who continue to go on with the people of God, and be a blessing to their brethren.
In Exodus 17, all the congregation of the children of Israel spoke of stoning Moses. Moses might have felt it was no use to continue with such a rebellious company of ingrates, but “the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:55And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. (Exodus 17:5)). They were God’s people, He still loved them, and He was going to bless them through His servant. Think of all that Moses would have missed if he had not continued on with them, even though they often criticized, blamed, verbally abused him, and on other occasions spoke of stoning him.
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Corinthians, and in seeking to be faithful with them regarding the sin and failure in the assembly there, noted: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:1515And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. (2 Corinthians 12:15)). This is the avenue of usefulness and blessing, and the means of being able to “strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die” (Revelation 3:22Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Revelation 3:2)).
These are indeed days of much failure and great ruin, but we can go on for the Lord’s glory. Just so we find that Caleb not only identifies with his brethren and the failure, but he also goes on wholly following the Lord. The “last days,” are characterized by individual faithfulness, and just as it was in the case of Caleb, so there is a special blessing and portion for those who are willing to honour the Lord and stand for the truth in such circumstances. “For them that honor Me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:3030Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. (1 Samuel 2:30)).