What can we learn about leadership from Joshua's response to the Gibeonites' plea? Setting the Scene Joshua 10:6: “Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: ‘Do not abandon your servants. Come quickly and save us! Help us, for all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us.’” The Gibeonites—newly bound to Israel by oath (Joshua 9:15)—are under attack. They cry out to Joshua, and his response paints a vivid portrait of godly leadership. Leadership that Keeps Its Word • Joshua had been tricked into the treaty (Joshua 9:3-15), yet he refuses to break it. • Psalm 15:4 highlights the righteous person “who keeps an oath even when it hurts.” • Integrity under pressure cements trust; leadership without trust crumbles. Leadership that Acts Swiftly and Sacrificially • “So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him” (Joshua 10:7). • An all-night march (Joshua 10:9) shows urgency and personal cost. • Proverbs 3:27: “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.” Leadership that Seeks and Clings to God’s Promise • Before the battle, the LORD reassures: “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand” (Joshua 10:8). • Joshua’s confidence is anchored in God’s word, not in troop strength. • Compare 2 Chronicles 20:12—Jehoshaphat prays, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” Leadership that Inspires Others through Faith • Israel’s soldiers follow Joshua’s lead into a humanly impossible fight. • Hebrews 13:7 reminds us to imitate leaders who model faith. • Result: “The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel” (Joshua 10:10); divine aid follows obedient courage. Leadership that Protects the Vulnerable • The Gibeonites were “servants,” socially weaker, yet Joshua defends them. • Proverbs 31:8-9 urges speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. • True authority shields the weak rather than exploiting them. Leadership that Partners with God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility • God rains down hailstones (Joshua 10:11), yet Israel still fights. • Philippians 2:13: God works in us “to will and to act,” but we still must act. • Leaders cooperate with, rather than abdicate to, divine sovereignty. Practical Takeaways • Keep your commitments—even when they become inconvenient. • Respond to urgent needs with decisive, sometimes costly, action. • Seek the Lord’s counsel first; let His promises shape your courage. • Inspire by example; followers notice faith lived out, not merely talked about. • Use influence to protect the vulnerable; leverage strength for service, not self. • Expect God to work mightily, but be ready to march all night if that’s what obedience requires. Joshua’s handling of the Gibeonites’ plea shows that godly leadership is marked by integrity, urgency, faith, and sacrificial service—qualities that remain essential for leaders in every generation. |
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