“Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh” (Numbers 14:6).
Relatively speaking we are told very little concerning the life of Caleb. I say relatively speaking, because we find that there are two men, who at this point in their history are inseparable: Joshua and Caleb. Regarding Joshua, there are pages and pages of the Holy Scriptures taken up with the details of his life and work, but not a great deal regarding the life and work of his faithful companion Caleb.
Perhaps the reason that we are told so much about Joshua, is that he is a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. His name means Jesus, and he is, in type, a picture of the Lord in the aspect of Hebrews 2:10. “For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” It was Joshua who was later raised up by God, as their captain, to lead the children of Israel through the Jordan and into the good of their inheritance. Our Captain, the Lord of Glory, is the One who is seeking to lead us into the good of what is ours, in and through Himself, as a result of the work that He accomplished on the cross of Calvary.
The lesson we learn from this is that Caleb, as a man of God, was content to go on quietly in the shadow and company of another. Are you and I satisfied to go on quietly in the shadow and company of our Joshua, the Lord Jesus Christ? The schools of men teach us to make much of self; get a name; make your mark in the world; put yourself forward; leave your stamp on society, etc. Self-assertion is what is ingrained in us in this present age of humanism, but the Bible teaches us to make much of Him and not draw attention to ourselves. Are we happy to walk in the path of faithfulness and service where He has put us, and to do everything for His glory, that others might see Christ in us and be attracted to Him? The hymn-writer, J. G. Deck, penned these words:
Joshua and Caleb seem inseparable. They are constant companions, with one mind, one heart, and one purpose. This is our proper place, and should characterize us in relationship with our Joshua. Notice too, it is not Caleb and Joshua, it is Joshua and Caleb. That is the proper order. Our Joshua, the Lord Jesus Christ, should always be first and foremost! “That in all things He might have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).
John the Baptist, in bearing witness of the Lord declared, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). What a lesson these two servants of God teach us, one from the Old Testament and the other from the New Testament. Nothing of self, and all of Christ! The Apostle Paul said, “For me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). The athlete says, “For me to live, is sports;” the executive says, “For me to live is business;” the entrepreneur say, “For me to live is innovation;” the musician says, “For me to live is music;” and so on. But the Christian should say, “For me to live is Christ.”
I read of a young college student who had a card hanging in his room bearing the inscription,
“I am willing to be third.”
When pressed to tell the meaning, he refused for a while, but after a time said, “My mother taught me to put Christ first, others second, and self last; so I am willing to be third.
Many years ago my father taught me this simple acronym for joy:
Jesus first,
Others next,
Yourself last.
Another youth had on his desk, a two word motto,
“Yes Lord!”
He wanted to make sure he always said “yes” to the Lord, putting Him first, so that he could walk with a sense of His presence, and His approval.
Another Christian I knew, had, in his office, by a corner of his desk, where only he could see it, this text printed on a card,
“Teach me to do Thy will” (Psalm 143:10).
He wanted to make sure he not only knew the Lord’s will, but that he did it as well.
These are examples of modern day Calebs.
If someone asked you what you really wanted out of life, what would it be? A random survey of young and old might reveal many things, and even surprise us a little. But, once again, what would you say? Money, fame, fun, friends, job security, good health...
It seems that the Apostle Paul considered this question after he was saved, and answers for himself in Philippians 3:8. “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” The one thing he wanted out of life was more of Christ and Christ’s approval. Could we honestly say that? Paul didn’t just say it, he meant it, and his life proved it. To win someone, is to gain their approval. A politician tries to win people over to his way of thinking and party platforms, so that he can gain their votes on election day. A young man tries to win a young lady’s heart so that she will say yes to his marriage proposal. The retailer spends time and money advertising so that he will win customers. But are we seeking to “win Christ?” Is it really His approval that we desire more than anything else? It is not wrong to desire acceptance and win approval, but the question is, whose acceptance and approval do we really want?
No wonder Caleb was later used in a remarkable way for the blessing of his family as well as others, and no wonder he had power to eventually overcome and take possession of his inheritance. We too can only be a blessing and testimony, and have power and fruit in our lives, in the measure in which we walk in the company of the Lord, making everything of Him, and nothing of self. To give Him first place in our daily lives is the only true source of joy, and everything else that is of eternal value.
Walking with Jesus,
Walking with Jesus each day;
Nothing of self – all of Jesus,
His beauties let us display.
Speaking of Jesus,
Speaking of Jesus each day;
Not of ourselves, but of Jesus,
His glory seeking alway.
Perhaps the way another has already expressed it, sums up the subject best of all:
This is true spirituality!
How much does the person of Christ mean to your heart? The more we learn of Him from the Word, the more real and precious He will become. Can we truly say, “Christ is everything,” (Colossians 3:11, JND Translation)?