Leadership lessons from Joshua

Joshua 1:12-15 (New International Version)

¹² But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, ¹³ "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' ¹⁴ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers ¹⁵ until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."

Often times, leaders are not called to reveal new information; sometimes leaders are simply called to remind people of facts they all ready know. Reminding people of their goals, values, or commitments is one of the clearest ways to bring clarity to ones purpose. This is the case for Generals, Managers, as well as Coaches. Whenever you are in a context where a plan or obligation is involved, it is essential to refer back to it in order to both clarify values and maintain proper direction. The same is true for a Kingdom leader. It was Joshua’s responsibility to remind the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, or the tribes East of the Jordan, of their commitment to help the other tribe’s posses their portion of the Promise Land. In vs. 13, you see Joshua reminding the tribes East of the Jordan of their commitment to Moses, before he died and Joshua became leader. The tribes East of the Jordan were permitted to posses the land on the condition they would help the rest of their kinsmen possess their own inheritance on the West side of the Jordan. The interesting thing is Joshua, in reminding the tribes East of the Jordan of their commitment, was acting as the accountability for God’s will. This illustrates that during leadership transitions the importance of a leaders role in keeping the people focused on goals and commitments. This is true even for the Kingdom of God. In this case, Joshua had to keep before the tribes east of the Jordan God’s purpose for the entire nation of Israel, not just theirs. If you look closely, keeping this promise came with a price. In vs.14 Joshua said, “Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers.” These men would not be with their families until the Promise Land was conquered, and their families would be left on the east side of the Jordan with little protection. Joshua must have been concerned, but he knew more than anyone else that he had to obey God, even if it was not popular. Nevertheless, in the end God helped Israel possess the land and protect their families. This only happened because Joshua remained faithful to the plan of God and led Israel into its purpose. Leaders many times must remind their followers of the plan they have already committed to. Reminding people of their goals, values, or commitments is one of the clearest ways to bring transparency to ones purpose. Remembering sometimes is needed more than revelation is. This is especially true for those who are leading God’s people.