Courage to Lead
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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. -- Joshua 1:9
In Joshua 1, God commissioned Joshua after the death of Moses, to lead the people across the Jordan River and into the promised land. God promised Joshua that everywhere the soles of his feet rested on, would be given to him as possession. They were promised the lands from the wilderness to the river Euphrates. He was reminded to be strong and of good courage as the land would be possessed and divided among the people. He was reminded to obey the laws written by Moses and to encourage the people to obey them.
As they meditate on God’s laws and walk in obedience, they would become prosperous and they would have good success. Joshua commanded the Officers to pass through the people and instructed them to prepare provisions. The Reubenites, Gadites and half the tribe of Manasseh were given the lands ahead of the Jordan as their possession. There was one condition, that the men would go across the Jordan with the other tribes, to help them to take possession of the rest of the land. Once all the land had been possessed, they could return to their wives and children who would remain in the land.
They promised Joshua that they would do everything that he asked them to do and follow him the same way they followed Moses.
Joshua was one of the oldest men in the tribe along with Caleb, as his generation died in the wilderness due to disobedience. In Chapter 2, Joshua sent spies to spy out Jericho in order to get information before going in. The spies were helped by Rahab the harlot, who confirmed that God had given them the land. “And said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.” (Joshua 2:9) The spies made a promise to spare Rahab and her household once they invaded Jericho. The spies returned to Joshua with a good report and he led the people across the Jordan and set up stones for a memorial. He then circumcised the second generation and they camped at Gilgal and kept the Passover. After the Passover the manna ceased and the people ate the produce of the land.
An angel appeared to Joshua who identified himself as the commander of the army of the Lord. Jericho shut their gates because they knew that the Jews were advancing towards them and they were afraid.
God instructed Joshua to march around the city of Jericho with his men of war, once for six days. Seven priests would carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times, and the priests would blow the trumpet. “It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.” (Joshua 6:5) Joshua gathered the army and the Priests and they did as God instructed. On the seventh day after they had marched seven times and the Priests blew their trumpets; Jericho’s walls fell flat.
The people went in and destroyed everyone, except Rahab and her family and they took possession of the spoil for the treasury of the Lord. “So, the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.” (Joshua 6:27) Joshua’s courage was what set him apart to lead Israel after Moses’s passing. Of the 12 spies who went to spy out the land 40 years before, he and Caleb were the only two who brought back a good report. He stood with Moses even when the rest of the people were against him. Now that he was in leadership, he followed God’s instructions with precision and made sure not to swerve from anything that God said. Marching silently around a city for six days would seem unconventional to many people. Marching for another seven times on the seventh day and then blowing trumpets is not what most people would expect would bring down the walls of a city.
Nevertheless, Joshua was courageous enough to do what God said, and it brought him success. He also ensured that the people kept the spoil for the treasury of God and was not influenced into keeping any for himself.
Questions for Reflection:
1. What do you consider to be some of the characteristics of great leadership?
2. Do you consider courage to be important in leadership?
3. Do you think Joshua’s approach to leadership is still relevant for today?
