How does Joshua's leadership influence our understanding of godly leadership today? Setting the Scene “Then Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110.” (Judges 2:8) Joshua’s Hallmarks of Godly Leadership - Unwavering obedience (Joshua 1:7–9) - Courage rooted in God’s promises (Joshua 10:25) - Constant dependence on Scripture (Joshua 8:34–35) - Personal devotion that influenced households (Joshua 24:15) - Servant identity—he is consistently called “servant of the LORD,” not “general” or “king” Why Israel Prospered under Joshua - Clear, God-centered direction (Joshua 3:7) - Visible faith that rallied the nation (Joshua 6) - Shared remembrance—twelve-stone memorials (Joshua 4:6–7) - Discipleship modeled: Joshua mentored leaders like Caleb (Numbers 14:30) and the elders who outlived him (Judges 2:7) The Void After His Death Judges 2:10 records, “After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD….” - Leadership drift occurs when godly influence is not intentionally passed on - National compromise followed quickly: idolatry, moral collapse (Judges 2:11–13) - Reminder that leadership legacy must be continually refreshed Timeless Lessons for Today’s Leaders - Lead from Scripture: saturate decisions with God’s Word (Psalm 119:105) - Embody courage by trusting God’s presence (Hebrews 13:5–6) - Build spiritual memorials—celebrate God’s works so the next generation remembers (Psalm 78:4) - Mentor actively: reproduce faith in reliable people (2 Timothy 2:2) - Serve, don’t rule: greatness is measured by obedience to the Lord (Mark 10:43–45) Living Out Joshua’s Example 1. Start each task with God’s command in view. 2. Speak faith when obstacles loom—walls still fall when leaders believe. 3. Guard personal devotion; a leader’s private walk shapes public impact. 4. Regularly recount testimonies of God’s faithfulness to family and team. 5. Plan succession: raise up others who know and fear the Lord. A Final Charge “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7) Like Joshua, lead so that after you are gone, others still serve the Lord because you showed them how. |
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