It is noteworthy that the name Caleb means dog. Usually a dog in Scripture doesn’t have a very good connotation. They were an unclean animal under the law; and the false shepherds in Israel were spoken of in this way in Isaiah 56:10-1110His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Isaiah 56:10‑11) JND, “His watchmen are all of them blind, they are without knowledge; they are all dumb dogs that cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber: and the dogs are greedy, they know not to be satisfied, and these are shepherds that know not how to discern: they all turn to their own way, every one for his gain, even to the last of them.”
The Gentiles are also referred to as dogs, even by the Lord himself, in connection with the Canaanitish woman in Matthew 15:21-2821Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. 27And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. 28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. (Matthew 15:21‑28) JND. The Lord told her, “It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and cast it unto dogs” (vs. 26). She had no claim on the blessing because she was not of the nation of Israel, but in taking a low place, and recognizing her true position as an unclean dog, she besought the Lord on the grounds of grace and mercy. As a result of her faith, and her saying, “Yea, Lord; for even the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from the table of their masters,” she receives healing for her daughter. This is the true way of blessing for anyone.
Prophetically, regarding the sufferings of Christ and the circumstances surrounding His trial and crucifixion we read, “For dogs have compassed Me” (Psalm 22:1616For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. (Psalm 22:16)). This, no doubt, refers to the Gentile Roman soldiers, for it was they who actually nailed the Lord Jesus to the cross. Later on in that same psalm we read, “Deliver...My darling from the power of the dog” (vs. 20). This would answer to Pontius Pilate, the Gentile, Roman governor. In the plural we see the Gentile mob, and in the singular we have the Gentile judge.
The last mention of this creature in Scripture is in Revelation 22:1515For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Revelation 22:15). “For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” In the Middle East and many other countries today, dogs are still despised animals, and are not kindly considered, or taken in as pampered pets, with hundreds of dollars spent on their care and comfort, the way they are in western culture. This then is the way Scripture generally views them.
However, there are two characteristics of a dog, which are perhaps more relevant and applicable to the subject at hand. A dog is a good follower, and he is faithful to one master. Very quickly we see the application. These characteristics were true of Caleb, and should be true of each believer. What the Lord wants is faithful followers! To what degree do our lives answer to this pattern? The last recorded words of the Lord Jesus, in John’s gospel, are addressed to Peter, when He said, “Follow thou Me” (John 21:2222Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (John 21:22)).
When Gideon’s army was chosen we read, “So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself ... and the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men ... And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place” (Judges 7:5-75So he brought down the people unto the water: and the Lord said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. 6And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. 7And the Lord said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. (Judges 7:5‑7)). Those who were watchful and ready to do the bidding of their leader Gideon, were those who were chosen to accompany him to the battle. God wants men and women who are ready, willing, and obedient, just like a faithful dog. Have you ever seen a dog sitting at the gate or the end of the driveway watching and waiting for the master to return from school or work at the end of the day? Those who are faithful to the Lord in this way are those that He can use to deliver His people in days of failure and weakness, and to overcome despite the work and oppression of the enemy.
A brother in Christ mentioned to me that he wished he was as faithful to his Lord and Master as his trusted dog was to him. He felt it would make quite a difference in his Christian life and testimony. As I observed his dog during my visit and stay in his home, I could well understand the brother’s sentiments. I was struck by how near the creature stayed by his master’s side, and how closely he followed him wherever he went, listening for his voice and obeying his every instruction. What an instructive lesson from nature this is.
Another Christian friend was telling me that in the morning before he gets out of bed his two dogs come and lie on his chest watching his face and waiting for a command from their master. It made me think of the Apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on His breast at supper” (John 21:2020Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? (John 21:20)). Wouldn’t we like a commendation like that? To what degree are these things true in your life and mine? Are we resting on the bosom of the Lord Jesus, waiting for His instruction, and ready to follow wherever He gently leads?
When I was a young person we used to sing this chorus (attributed to Sadhu Sundar Singh), although with very little real thought as to it’s import:
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, and Christ before me;
The world behind me, and Christ before me;
The world behind me, and Christ before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, by grace I’ll follow;
Though none go with me, by grace I’ll follow;
Though none go with me, by grace I’ll follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
This is true discipleship!
There are some other characteristics of dogs that are instructive.
• Happy, as long as they are with their master ... in spite of circumstances–“Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee” (1 Kings 10:88Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom. (1 Kings 10:8)).
• Content with a dish of food and a bowl of water (The necessities of life)–“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:66But godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)).