I finished reading through the book of Joshua and have now moved onto Corinthians. I like to read one book in the Old Testament and then one book in the New Testament. I like the diversity in the timeline. 


As I finished the book of Joshua, I zoomed out and saw something underlying in the chapters. I saw a unique and interesting leadership principle that, to be honest, I don't know if it was intentional or not. 

Allow me to share...

In chapters one thru six we see Joshua on a major military campaign. He will eventually take two major cities and completely conquer them. As he approaches another opposition, a much smaller opposition, he is dumbfounded in defeat. Joshua immediately approaches God in fear. At that point God let's Joshua in on the fact that someone in the camp has taken something that they shouldn't have, ultimately against the Lord's will. This action causes the Israelites to veer off course from their destiny, from their purpose. 

Joshua has to make a decision. 

Joshua finds the man and establishes the punishment. He is to be stoned. Harsh. To make it a bit more dramatic, Joshua makes every Israelite pick up a stone and take ownership in the stoning. Immediately afterwards, we find Joshua reading the commandments and laws to the people...as well as the promises...as Moses had laid out before them. Then Joshua leads everyone in worshiping the Lord. From that point, Joshua goes off on the biggest military campaign of his life. Taking literally city, after city, after city. 

And here is what I gleaned...

Leadership is hard. It's difficult. It's making unpopular decisions. It's dealing harshly with those that you have loved, embraced, and traveled with for years. The man that was stoned had fought with Joshua in battle. Being in the military myself, I can tell you firsthand that you develop intense friendships with those that you serve with. So Joshua's decision isn't easy...but it's the best decision to make. It's what is best for the rest of Israel. 

So he leads them in stoning this man. But he doesn't do it alone. He makes them take ownership of this entire journey. They should be just as upset as the Lord is on this matter. Their heart should break for the things that break God's heart. 

From there, Joshua reaffirms them of what God has promised them by the reading of the Mosaic laws, covenants, and promises. He reads to them the vision of God for Israel. He reassures them of what they are doing and why they are doing it. He reminds them what this whole journey has been about, thus setting them back on track for being entirely in the will of God. 

Then he leads everyone in worship...

Great leaders are made from great leaders. Joshua broke into ministry through the internship of working for Moses. Moses, whether directly or indirectly, mentored Joshua to be the man he would become for Israel. 

A few thoughts I have on all of this...
  • Do our hearts break for the things that break God's heart?
  • Are we providing good leadership for those that we influence? 
  • Who are we mentoring to lead after we are gone?