Perspective is so often the key factor to success. The leader’s ability to see what others do not see and the capacity to interpret situations through the eyes of opportunity permit him/her to interact with the surroundings in extraordinary ways. The little dark clouds of pessimism paint pictures of dread using the colors of distress, discouragement, and fear. The very same environment viewed from the eyes of a positive leader reveals a beautiful landscape enlightened by a powerful sunrise, framed with boarders of hope, potential, and excitement. It is amazing to me how different people can reach such opposite conclusions based upon the same set of facts and the same mix of circumstances.
This contrast is so well seen in the pages of scripture that record Israel’s glorious redemption from the slavery of Egypt. Numbers 13 records a mystifying example of opposite conclusions based upon the same experience. As we pick up this story of deliverance, God has already sent the ten plagues on Egypt while protecting the Israelites from harm; God has split the Red Sea in half allowing the people of Israel to walk to safety on dry ground, only to swallow the Egyptian army up into a watery grave; and God has set them on the soil of protection including the path to the promised land. Now God is calling them to scout out the inheritance that lies before them.
At God’s direction, Moses selects 12 leaders (one from each of the tribes of Israel) to explore the new country. Numbers 13:3 emphasizes that each of the men chosen were leaders among their people. Each of the leaders is listed, by name, in verses 4 - 15. Moses sends these leaders out with specific instructions:
“Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” Numbers 13: 17-20
The twelve explorers made their way into the land and made their observations. They cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. The cluster was so huge that two men had to carry it on a pole stretched between them. When they returned to Moses and the camp of the people, they reported, “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very large.” (Numbers 13:27-28)
Caleb’s perspective is recorded in verse 30, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
But the other leaders disagreed, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are”(verse 31). They began to rain the poison of little dark clouds and showered the people with drops of despair and doubt. They share the news that, “the land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size....We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (verse 32-33).
Caleb and Joshua couldn’t believe what they were hearing from the other 10 leaders. They ripped their clothes in a sign of grief and sorrow. They exhorted the people to consider another perspective, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us... And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 13:8-9). Verse 10 is one of the very depressing verses in the Bible, “But the whole assembly talked about stoning them.”
Reviewing some notes I took on this passage over 20 years ago (I am not sure of the source of these notes –they are not mine but I am unable to give credit), I reflected on some of the contrasts between the two perspectives of leadership.
Caleb: Focused on the promises.
The Ten: Focused on the problems.
Caleb: Majored on the opportunities.
The Ten: Majored on the obstacles.
Caleb: Compared the giants to God and was courageous.
The Ten: Compared the giants to themselves and were overwhelmed.
Caleb: Saw the giants as God’s problem.
The Ten: Saw the giants as their problem.
Caleb: Was future oriented and wanted to move forward.
The Ten: Were past oriented and decided to retreat.
Caleb: Reflected on God’s unlimited resources and depended on God’s wisdom.
The Ten: Reflected on Israel’s limited resources and defaulted to man’s wisdom.
Caleb: Looked at the land and saw the Great Protector.
The Ten: Looked at the land a saw the great enemy.
Caleb: Interpreted circumstances by faith in God’s sovereignty to win the battles.
The Ten: Interpreted circumstances by sight and ended up in fear and intimidation.
What is your perspective on life? What is your view of leadership? How do you approach the challenges before you? I want to be a Caleb, but I wonder how often I vote with The Ten. May the courage of Caleb fill our hearts as we rely on the faithful of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment