David Anguish
How many of these Bible characters, all of them leaders, do you remember? Shammua. Shaphat. Igal. Palti. Gaddiel. Gaddi. Ammiel. Sethur. Nahbi. Geuel.
The difference between conquest and defeat often boils down to perspective and attitude. These ten illustrate that point. Though they had acquitted themselves as men worthy of the mantle of leadership, when faced with a crossroads event in their nation's history they failed. Not because they suddenly lost the talent that had led to their selection in the first place, but because they missed several important points about their task. They redefined their mission, and so misdefined it. They failed to see the power at their disposal and consequently overrated the obstacles they faced. They saw some realistic problems in what was contemplated, but were unable to look beyond the problems to see the tremendous possibilities.
Oh, yes, who were they? Maybe the addition of two others from their party will help. Joshua. Caleb. That's right, the men, "every one a leader among them," who were sent to "spy out the land of Canaan" (Numbers 13:2, NASB). Men who for centuries have stood as examples of what faith should and should not be.
Let's return to the ten. We said they redefined their mission and so misdefined it. Their instructions were to explore a land God had promised to give them (Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20), not give a report on whether it was possible to take it (13:25-33). We said they failed to see the power at their disposal and overrated the obstacles they faced. They were among the people who had witnessed Israel's deliverance from Egypt. They had stood before the Red Sea in despair, seen its waters parted, and walked across on dry ground. But when they toured Canaan, all they could see were fortified cities and gigantic people. Failing to see God, they wrongly saw themselves - as grasshoppers (13:33).
Joshua and Caleb speak for a different perspective. They knew the success of their mission rested with God. They remembered the things from Israel's recent past for what they were, evidence of God's presence with his people. If God said do it, they reasoned that, not only could it be done, but that God would see that it was. "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it. . .If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us - a land which flows with milk and honey" (13:30; 14:8).
Joe Barnett has explained the difference between the ten "impossibility thinkers" and the two "possibility thinkers." The former "make swift, sweeping passes over a proposed idea, scanning it with a sharp negative eye, looking only at the problems. They look for reasons why something won't work instead of visualizing ways it can be made to work. . .They are inclined to say 'No' to a proposal, never giving it a fair hearing. They immediately, impulsively, instinctively, and impetuously react to any positive suggestion with a sweeping assortment of negative statements designed to kill it. . .Their attitude produces doubt, stimulates fear, and generates a mental climate of pessimism and fatigue" (Quoted in Ray Fulenwider, How To Grow a Church Through the Bible School, 17-18).
Possibility thinkers, on the other hand, probe problems, proposals and opportunities in search of the positive. "When faced with a mountain. . .they keep on striving until they climb over, dig through, tunnel under, or simply stay and turn their mountain into a gold mine" (Barnett, 18).
Just as we remember their names while forgetting those of the ten, so we need to remember the lessons Joshua and Caleb illustrate about faith. With the same big God who delivered Israel as promised, let's attack our challenges with plans to succeed. Let's dream big. Refuse artificial limitations. Commit to "do all things through Him who strengthens [us]" (Philippians 4:13).