Scripture not only teaches by precept and commandment, by doctrine and illustration, but by example as well. The Word of God abounds with stories of men and women, young people, and those of all ages and walks of life ... real people who were placed in all kinds of real situations and who faced all sorts of obstacles and difficulties in their path of faith and service. These narrations are more than just interesting stories and historical facts. It is true that they are interesting stories, and they are indeed historical facts, but they are far more than that. These histories are recorded very carefully by divine inspiration for our instruction and encouragement, often as a warning, and certainly for correction and admonishment as well. They show us how the characters acted and reacted; whether wisely or unwisely; whether in dependence on the Lord or in their own strength. They teach us the blessedness of obedience and the folly of disobedience, the joy of following the Lord, and the sorrowful reaping of choosing our own way. We need to familiarize ourselves with these accounts, and as we do we will find that they were people who faced all the same kinds of difficulties and obstacles that we face today, albeit in slightly different settings. From these stories we learn that it has never been easy to live for God’s glory and follow the Lord in any period of history. We also learn that it is possible to do so, no matter how dark the day, difficult the circumstances, or great the opposition, because we have One who never changes. Indeed, we have the same God that Caleb and the other host of Old Testament saints had, and we have an even better portion in Christ, and the fulness of Christianity.
Many of these accounts are brief and focus only on a certain period or aspect of the person’s life. Others are more detailed, and may even chronicle events spanning from their birth to their death. Whether we are told much or little, what is recorded by the Spirit of God is for our learning and profit. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:44For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. (Romans 15:4)).
One of these most instructive stories is the account of Caleb. Over and over again we have has enjoyed the narrative of this faithful servant of God, and the commendation of Joshua 14:1414Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel. (Joshua 14:14), which tells us, “that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” With this in mind we will examine his life, and the circumstances surrounding his experiences, with the prayer that every reader will be strengthened and encouraged to press on in the path of faith and service, by this Old Testament character, who, no doubt falls into the category of those who are referred to as, “so great a cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:11Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)); and is unquestionably alluded to in the earlier reference of those “who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises” (Hebrews 11:3333Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, (Hebrews 11:33)).
There are a least seven things that faith does!
Faith...
• Faces the formidable. “Who through faith...were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens” (Hebrews 11:33-3433Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. (Hebrews 11:33‑34)).
These seven things we will see exemplified in the life of Caleb.
In his commentary on Joshua, H. A. Ironside expressed it in the following quote: