CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Caleb – Don’t Let Looks Deceive
As one of the original twelve spies sent out to reconnoiter Canaan, Caleb saw the giants, the fortified cities, the rough terrain, but he also saw the produce, the grapes, the milk, the honey, the houses and cities already built and he along with Joshua reckoned the rewards far exceeded the risks. What had they to lose but desert wasteland and lives of wandering? But as a result of the faint-heartedness of his countrymen, who could not see what he saw, he had to wait forty-five years to settle on his God-given portion of land.
At 85 years of age, Caleb went to Joshua and asked for that which had been promised to him, a mountain upon which rested the city of Hebron. (Numbers.14:23-24). As Joshua’s right hand man, and confidant, he could probably have asked for any portion of Canaan, and he would undoubtedly have received it, but instead he insisted,
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.
And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. (Jos.14:12-13)
As we know, Caleb overran the Anakim and took possession of his mountain which begs the question, why go to all that trouble for a mountain when there was perfectly good, arable land available elsewhere, land relatively flat, good for raising crops and animals? Land which he would not have to fight for? What did Caleb know that others did not?
He already knew that the land produced a good crop, perhaps not as good as elsewhere, but good enough.
But he also knew that with a mountain comes something else, diversity of climate, soil, and vegetation. The mountain is also a strong natural barrier against the elements and enemies.
With a mountain you always have a windward and leeward side. When one side is being battered, the other side is protected.
Any enemy attacking you would have to be vastly superior in fitness, numbers and tactics. And with a mountain, you have high ground and low ground each with its own vegetation.
In Joshua 15:19 we read how Caleb gave his daughter upper and lower springs. In other words, when one spring dries up, the other will still flow, when it’s too hot down below, they can climb to the cooler air at higher altitudes.
Caleb saw, in his mountain, a capacity to diversify, not only did he need to rely on animals but he could grow grapes and figs and wheat. When one failed, the other would sustain them, Caleb had the foresight to see beyond the here and now. He did not allow the sight of a mountain to deter him. Where a mountain is an obstacle to most, it was an opportunity for him, firstly to establish himself, and then to diversify and expand. He made the most of what he had.
In Israel God saw more than the disobedient, recalcitrant group of misfits most of us see when we read the Bible. Under King David, He established the nation, unified it and defeated all their enemies. By the time Solomon ascended the throne, the Israelites were in a position to expand their trade beyond their own borders and to add to their wealth.
And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.(1Ki.9:26)
And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.(1Ki.9:28)
For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his heart. (2Chr.9:21-23)
A dysfunctional nation of stiff-necks had eventually seized their opportunities, realized their potential and grown into the most powerful nation on earth.
When Jesus set out on His ministry, He came across Simon. We would have seen a fisherman - He saw a rock on which to build. When He saw John and James, He saw Sons of Thunder, nothing would keep them quiet. In each one of His disparate disciples, Jesus saw opportunity and potential.
We, too, must be on the lookout for opportunity, do not let looks deceive, beneath the surface might lie a wealth of untapped potential.
Ask questions, such as, what if, can I, will it? Nobody wants a wrecked car, but a mechanic sees parts, which are, otherwise, costly, a broken chest supplies wood and an old discarded piece of clothing, zips and buttons. No farmer wants brackish land, but a little research will show that sweet potato or yams and beet thrive therein. Seek opportunity where none exists, and you will find the richest rewards.