Leadership lessons from Joshua

Deuteronomy 34: 9 - 12

The Death of Moses

⁹ Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.

¹⁰ Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, ¹¹who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. ¹² For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

It is conventional wisdom to follow in the footsteps of a great man or woman. It is even more common that a disciple follows in the exact same footsteps of his or her leader. However, this is not necessarily the case when it comes to leadership succession in the Kingdom of God. In the Kingdom it is only essential for the follower to take on the core values of his or her leader, but it is not essential that the follower applies the same leadership methodologies to fulfill his or her call. The Scriptures make it clear that “…no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” Thus, we see even though Joshua followed in the footsteps of Moses, he did not have the same relationship with God as Moses did. This fact does not diminish Joshua’s call or standing with God. Why do I say that? Well first of all because of Moses’ disobedience, it was Joshua who led the Hebrews into the Promised Land, not Moses. Secondly, Joshua’s role was primarily that of a General in contrast to Moses’ role that was primary as prophet and priest. And, lastly Joshua was not called by God simply to maintain what Moses developed, but to progress and advance. Joshua needed to relate to God in an entirely different way than Moses did. Moses’ primary job was to deliver the Jews, but Joshua had the task of fighting for the occupation of the Promised Land. Moses’ mission led to the revelation of God’s nature; Joshua’s mission lead to the confirmation of his nature. Even though the outcome was the same –the revelation of God—each had to do it within a unique context. And so it is within the Kingdom. It is wise to follow in the footsteps of a great man or woman. However, that is not necessarily the case when it comes to succession in the Kingdom of God. For the leader, “the changing times” may require a different methodology than the generation before it. In the Kingdom it is only essential for the follower to take on the core values of his or her leader, but it is not essential that the follower applies the same leadership methodologies to fulfill his or her call.