How God Makes A Leader 2

intro

Joshua the servant.

In Exodus 24:13, Joshua is called Moses’ servant (“minister”), which indicates that Joshua was now an official assistant to the leader of Israel.

He accompanied Moses to the mount and went with him when he judged the people for making the golden calf.

It wasn’t enough that Joshua be a good warrior; he also had to know the God of Israel and the holy laws God gave His people to obey.

We shall discover that the secret of Joshua’s victories was not his skill with the sword but his submission to the Word of God (Josh. 1:8) and to the God of the Word (5:13–15).

Joshua 1:8 AV

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 5:13–15 AV

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

During Israel’s wilderness journey, Moses had a special tent set up outside the camp where he could meet with God (Ex. 33:7–11).

It was Joshua’s responsibility to stay at the tent and guard it. Not only was Joshua a warrior, but he was also a worshiper and knew how to live in the presence of God.

Being a sergvant of God is the highest calling, it is a Christlike calling.

Matthew 20:28 AV

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

What is involved in Serving God?

1: God is preeminent - not second best.

Colossians 1:18 AV

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

2: Obedience to the Word of God.

James 1:22 AV

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

3: Worship of God in all we do.

Colossians 3:17 AV

17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We have seen Joshua do all thises things, but there is another very important part of servanthood.

4: Submission to Spiritual Authority.

Joshua was jealous not only for the glory of God but also for the honor and authority of Moses.

This is a good characteristic for a servant to have, and it showed up when God sent His Spirit upon the seventy elders Moses had chosen to assist him in his work.

But 2 elders did not show up, they disrespected Moses and started prophsying on their won, and this upset Joshua so much that he forbid them to minister.

Numbers 11:16–17 AV

16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. 17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

Numbers 11:25–28 AV

25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease. 26 But there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. 27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.

Submission to the spiritual authorits God has placed over us, is vital to being a good servant. insubordination is nothing less that rebellion against God.

Romans 13:1 AV

1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Joshua the spy.

When Israel arrived at Kadesh Barnea, on the border of the Promised Land, God commanded Moses to appoint twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan—Joshua among them (Num. 13).

After forty days of investigating the land, the spies returned to Moses and reported that the land was indeed a good one.

But ten of the spies discouraged the people by saying that Israel wasn’t strong enough to overcome the enemy, while two of the spies—Caleb and Joshua—encouraged the people to trust God and move into the land.

Sadly the people listened to the faithless ten spies. It was this act of unbelief and rebellion that delayed the conquest of the land for forty years.

This crisis revealed some fine leadership qualities in Joshua.

1: He was not blind to the realities of the situation, but he didn’t allow the problems and difficulties to rob him of his faith in God.

The ten spies looked at God through the difficulties, while Joshua and Caleb looked at the difficulties through what they knew about God. Their God was big enough for the battles that lay ahead!

2: Knowing he was right, Joshua wasn’t afraid to stand up against the majority.

He, Moses, and Caleb stood alone and risked their lives in so doing; but God stood with them. It has well been said that “one with God is a majority.” It would take that kind of courage for Joshua to lead Israel into their land so they could defeat their enemies and claim their inheritance.

Think of the years of blessing in the Promised Land that Joshua forfeited because the people had no faith in God!

But Joshua patiently stayed with Moses and did his job, knowing that one day he and Caleb would get their promised inheritance (Num. 14:1–9).

Leaders must know not only how to win victories but also how to accept defeats. Joshua had to learn defect and patience. A lession not many of us are willing to learn.

Victorious Christian living does not mean that we are always victorious as far as everything going well is concerned. Victorious Christian living means that we are victorious in christ, no matter how a situation turn out.

This was Joshua’s lession.

Joshua the successor.

Throughout that wilderness journey, God was preparing Joshua for his ministry as successor to Moses.

When Moses was preparing to die, he asked God to give the people a leader; and God appointed Joshua.

Deuteronomy 3:23–29 AV

23 And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, 24 O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? 25 I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. 26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. 27 Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. 28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. 29 So we abode in the valley over against Bethpeor.

In his final message to Israel, Moses told the people that God would use Joshua to defeat their enemies and help them claim their promised inheritance; and he also encouraged Joshua to trust God and not be afraid.

Moses laid hands on Joshua and God imparted to Joshua the spiritual power he needed for his task (34:9).

Deuteronomy 34:9 AV

9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Like Moses, Joshua was human and made his share of mistakes; but he was still God’s chosen and anointed leader, and the people knew this.

Joshua 1:17 AV

17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.

God’s people in the church today need to acknowledge God’s leaders and give them the respect that they deserve as the servants of God.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 AV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

Conclusion:

The secret of Joshua’s success was his faith in the Word of God (Josh. 1:7–9), its commandments and its promises. God’s Word to Joshua was “Be strong!” (vv. 6–7, 9, 18; and see Deut. 31:6–7, 23); and this is His Word to His people today