Preparation Of A Chosen Leader

by John Drain, Derby, U.K. | Category: Spiritual Lessons From Joshua | Jan 1985

CONFLICT

The Lord's preparation of Joshua for the heavy task of taking over from Moses the leadership of God's people covered a period of at least forty years. This may seem to us to be a long time but there were many things that Joshua had to learn. It is true that some men seem to have been moved precipitously into work for God but the sacred record shows also that for some outstanding servants of God there has been an important time of prolonged preparation. We think of Moses himself, of David, of John the Baptist. Perhaps the waiting time itself has tested and strengthened subjection and patience.

Our introduction to Joshua presents him to us as a soldier chosen and sent to engage in conflict with a foe that was both powerful and cowardly. Amalek struck where he knew there was the least ability to resist and to repel. He exploited feebleness, faintness and weariness to deliver his attack. But the hand of the Lord was with Joshua and he "discomfited (Heb. prostrated R.V. margin) Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword" (Ex. 17:13). Thus Joshua learned that in the way before him there would be opposition; but he learned also that through the Lord there would be victory.

This early encounter in Joshua's preparation may remind us that from the very commencement of our spiritual experience we are faced with warfare. This is spiritual warfare. We may view it first as a personal matter. Prom the moment the Spirit of God indwelt us in the experience of regeneration we had to face conflict because of attacks by the hostile power of the old corrupt nature, the flesh. This is a bitter conflict in which there will be no cessation until either we go home to be with Christ or Christ comes to the air to call into His presence the Church, the Body. Till such deliverance the flesh in us "lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh". By the Spirit we may mortify the doings of the body.

There is also the spiritual warfare that is involved for disciples of the Lord who are stirred to contend earnestly for the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy was exhorted to "fight the good fight of the Faith". In this fight we still have the foe within us to contend with and we have also formidable enemies who are described as the principalities and the powers, the world-rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness. what an array

of powerful hostile forces! But God is for us. Who can stand against Him? By His power we can know victory.

Stand bravely for your Master,

Stand in His strength alone;

The arm of flesh will fail you,

Ye dare not trust your own.

COOPERATION

The next glimpse we get of Joshua reveals him in the relationship of a servant. The Lord had commanded Moses to come up to the mount to receive the tables of stone on which were written by God His law and His commandment. We read, "Moses rose up, and Joshua his minister" (Ex. 24:13). At first sight it might appear that this meant demotion for Joshua. Had he not led the army to fight victoriously against the enemy of God's people? Had he not proved that he was a courageous and skilful general? why then should he become Moses' servant? Did he not deserve a greater reward? We accept without question that it was indeed a high honour to be chosen to minister to Moses. But perhaps we may also deduce that the preparation of Joshua for future responsibilities demanded that he should learn important lessons in the realm of subjection and cooperation. These he learned as with true meekness he ministered to Moses.

The lesson is important for us. If we are to engage acceptably in service for God we must realize that subjection to others and cooperation must characterize us. In the revelation of God we see many relationships in which subjection is to be manifested. The natural mind resists demands requiring subjection, but the general exhortation comes to us, "Subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ" (Eph. 5:21). Where there is subjection there will be cooperation and the fulfilment of Paul's exhortation, "Through love be servants one to another" (Gal. 5:13). If leaders do not learn and practise spiritual subjection and cooperation they need not expect those whom they lead to do so.

COMMUNION

Before the Tabernacle was constructed and erected Moses used to pitch a tent well outside the boundaries of the encampment. This, of course, was not the Tabernacle which later was erected but Moses called this tent, The Tent of Meeting. There Moses met the Lord and there the people could meet Moses the representative of the Lord. Concerning the activities of this Tent we have the amazing statement, "The LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (Ex. 33:11). It must have proved an impressive experience for Joshua to be in that Tent and to hear the Lord and Moses converse. He would have realized with deepening conviction that the God of Israel was the living God. In the quiet of the isolated Tent Joshua must have felt something of the holiness of God's character and at the same time he would realize that this holy God condescended to speak to men. It must also have been awe-inspiring, instructive and encouraging for the younger man to hear Moses speaking to God. The preparation of Joshua for leadership included impressing upon him the necessity for communion with God. He must hear God's voice. God must hear his voice.

In the teaching which the Lord Jesus gave to His disciples prominence is given to the necessity for communion, and in the epistles there is strong emphasis on the importance of this experience. There may be much activity in service but if communion with God is lacking there will be a slump into formality. In a message given in a day of serious declension the Lord said to the church in Laodicea "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20).

CONFIDENCE

When the children of Israel reached the wilderness of Paran the Lord commanded Moses to dispatch twelve princes of the people to carry out a reconnaissance of the land of Canaan. Joshua was the leader chosen to represent the tribe of Ephraim. When the twelve men returned to give their report there was unanimous acknowledgment that the land was indeed attractive. It was fertile and fruitful. But ten of the princes claimed that the children of Israel would be utterly unable to enter into possession of the land because of the size and strength of the inhabitants who would be opposing them. The ten looked at the men of great stature and measured themselves against such mighty persons. As a result they wilted and they returned to Moses determined to discourage and to oppose any attempt to invade Canaan. Their report and attitude completely shattered and demoralized the people. Faith in God and His purpose dissipated. Rebellion threatened the Camp.

But two of the princes were resolute that the people should move

forward and possess Canaan. They also saw the giants but instead of measuring themselves against the mighty men they measured the mighty men against Israel's God. Their faith in God was unshakeable and they had full confidence that what He promised He was able also to perform. He had promised to bring them to Canaan and to give them that land for an inheritance. Joshua and Caleb believed what God said. Their report was, "The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it unto us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land... the LORD is with us: fear them not" (Num. 14:7.9). Of the numbered host of Israel only two had the privilege of entering the good land, the place of God's rest - Joshua and Caleb.

This crisis incident in the history of the children of Israel brought to the surface the faith that Joshua had in his God, and the confidence that he had in the word of God and the purpose of God. These were very important features of the preparation of Joshua for leadership.

The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews indicates that in the present dispensation the place of God's rest is His house and he uses the failure of the children of Israel to emphasize his warning against unbelief. Being in the house of God is conditional upon sustained faith and obedience. We read, "Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God... Let us fear therefore, lest haply a promise being left of entering into His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it" (Heb. 3:12; 4:1). It is of utmost importance that we should have full assurance as to God's purpose relating to His house. This assurance will have for its foundation the word of God.

Caleb was a man of outstanding spiritual integrity. He wholly followed the Lord. But Joshua was the leader chosen to take over from Moses. Divine choice belongs to divine sovereignty. And God never errs.

John Drain, Derby, U.K. | Jan 1985
Spiritual Lessons From Joshua