Pastor Victor Tafoya The Making of a Leader
Devotion in Motion
Joshua 1:1-9
If the book of Joshua were on some streaming app you’d find it in the “Action” section. Joshua is a story of military conquest. It’s full of action, intrigue, and espionage. It contains examples of bravery and dedication – deceit and trickery. Joshua is full of spectacular battle scenes with out-of-this-world visual effects. It’s a war epic! Joshua is full of chills and thrills – but it has deeper levels of meaning as well… Spiritually, Joshua is full of instruction for Christians. Moses led the people to the border of the Promised Land, but he was unable to lead them into victory and rest. That task was left up to his predecessor, General Joshua. Moses represents the Law – whereas “Joshua” is the Hebrew word for the Greek name “Jesus”.
The Law could never bring us into God’s peace and rest. Only Jesus – our Yeshua or Joshua can give us the victory. This Old Testament book shows New Testament believers how to trust our battles to General Jesus! Organizationally, Joshua is a model for effective leadership. The book is laced with leadership principles. It’s a challenging study for aspiring leaders. Militarily, the book is a blueprint for military campaigns and battle strategies. Joshua employed a divide and conquer approach that’s been mimicked by many. And it may surprise you, but Joshua also speaks to us prophetically. You wouldn’t think the sixth book in the Old Testament would paint a portrait of the end times, but that’s exactly what we discover in this book. Joshua’s conquest of Canaan is an amazing model of the Revelation. We’ll discuss how later…
The book of Joshua is divided into two sections… The first 12 chapters describe the conquest of the land. The last 12 chapters discuss the land’s division and settlement. The first 9 verses of chapter 1 could be subtitled “The Making of a Leader”. They introduce us to Israel’s new chief, and his qualifications for leadership. And As we go through chapter 1, I’ll point out to you some principles for effective leadership… If you want to be a leader in the body of Christ here’s a good place to start… If you want to be a leader in your home here is a great place to start.
Verse 1, “After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:” Here’s principle # 1, preparation. Before taking the helm Joshua had been an assistant to Moses. Before assuming leadership he first served an apprenticeship. Billy Graham was once quoted as saying, “If I knew the Lord was coming back in three years – I’d spend two years studying and one year preaching.” Never underestimate the importance of preparation. Before a person can lead they first must be willing to be led.
The Hebrew term “assistant” refers to a menial role – a servant, a waiter. Joshua would lead a nation to claim God’s promises, but for a time his job description was simply “do what Moses tells you to do.” God says to Joshua in verses 2-3, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them – the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” Leadership principle # 2 is purpose. A good leader has to have a purpose, a vision. A spiritual leader gets a vision from God – then sets out to fulfill that God-given vision. He is purpose-driven.
Harry Truman said, “I wonder how far Moses would have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt? What would Jesus have preached if he’d taken a poll in Israel?… It isn’t the polls or the public opinion of the moment that counts. It’s right and wrong in leadership – men with fortitude, honesty, and a belief in the right – that makes epochs.” Your church, business, family needs leadership with conviction and godly purpose. A true leader stays the course even when it’s not popular.
God continues in verse 4, “From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.”
Leadership principle # 3 is perspective. God wants to make sure Joshua has a grasp on the big picture. Joshua’s men are eager to fight, but their leader sees the full scope of God’s plan. A broader perspective enables him to determine where and when to fight. Perspective makes a good leader. Joshua learned to be a big picture person. Verse 5, No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you…” Here’s principle # 4, persuasion. A true leader doesn’t wait on someone else’s initiative. He’ll take a stand. He’s the One who says, “Follow me, as I follow God.” It was said of one successful leader, “His great attribute was that he made decisions.
You never had to say, ‘Well what are we going to do tomorrow?’ He told you.” Our families, our churches – need people willing to make the tough decisions, and assume responsibility. We need leaders who are not afraid to take the heat.
Leadership principle # 5 we could call people. God tells Joshua in verse 6, “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Once the land is conquered Joshua will be called on to divy up the land, and that will plunge him into the nitty gritty work of dealing with the personalities, and quirks, and complaints of people. In the midst of battle people take orders.
In peacetime people question orders. Joshua will need to be a servant to the people. He’ll have to listen to them, and show them understanding, and bear with their peculiarities. A good leader is a servant to people. He cares and listens. It’s been said, “You can’t be a good shepherd if you can’t stand the smell of sheep.” You’ve got to love people.
In verse 7-8 God tells Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Leadership principle # 6 is precept. A godly leader leads God’s people by the book. He studies God’s book – the precepts of Scripture, and acts accordingly. One of Great Britain’s greatest leaders, Oliver Cromwell, commented, “The leader’s job is to give the people not what they want, but what is good for them.” The job of a spiritual leader is not to tickle ears, but teach the people the truth of God’s Word. When a leader departs from the Scripture its spiritual malpractice!
Principle # 7 I’ll call presence. In verse 9 God promises Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” John Ruskin once noted, “Really great men have a curious feeling that the greatness is not in them, but through them.” The secret of Samson’s stupendous strength was not the size of his biceps or pecks – it was the presence of God in his life. God made him strong! This will be the case for Joshua – and for us. Hey, God is still looking for leaders. The Church is an army – and an army needs leaders. Your church – your community – your family needs a leader who will rise up like a Joshua, and say to His people,
“Follow me, as I follow God.”
Amen
