How can Joshua's response in 17:15 guide us in leadership and decision-making? Setting the Scene “Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaites, since the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you.’” (Joshua 17:15) Key Principles from Joshua’s Response • Initiative over inertia – Joshua refuses to coddle; he calls for action. • Stewardship of available resources – forests and untamed land are God-provided opportunities, not obstacles. • Personal responsibility – the people must “clear a place for yourselves”; leadership empowers but does not enable passivity. • Faith paired with hard work – trust God’s promise of the land, then swing the axe (cf. James 2:17). • Clear, direct communication – no ambiguity in Joshua’s instruction; effective leaders speak plainly (cf. Proverbs 15:23). Practical Applications for Today’s Leaders • Diagnose real needs: Is the “hill country” actually cramped, or is vision cramped? • Redirect complaints toward constructive action: “Go up… clear ground.” • Identify untapped assets: vacant markets, neglected teams, overlooked talents. • Delegate ownership: give people tasks that require them to invest sweat equity. • Model faith-filled diligence: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” (Colossians 3:23). Decision-Making Checklist Inspired by Joshua 17:15 1. Clarify the problem: overcrowding? resource mismatch? 2. Inventory God-given possibilities: “forests” that can be cleared. 3. Assign responsibility: who will swing the first axe? 4. Communicate expectations: concise, actionable steps. 5. Combine prayer with planning: “Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved” (Proverbs 16:3). 6. Monitor progress, celebrate initiative, correct drift. Encouragement for Moving Forward When challenges press in, hear Joshua’s words: “Go up... clear ground.” Bold obedience transforms untamed spaces into God-given territory, proving that leadership and decisive faith still move boundaries today. |
    |