Deuteronomy 31:14-18 (ESV Strong's)
Joshua Commissioned to Lead Israel
14 And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the days approach when you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may commission him.” And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting. 15 And the LORD appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud. And the pillar of cloud stood over the entrance of the tent.
16 And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods among them in the land that they are entering, and they will forsake me and break my covenant that I have made with them. 17 Then my anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. And many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ 18 And I will surely hide my face in that day because of all the evil that they have done, because they have turned to other gods.
Commissioned to Lead Rebellious Followers
Leadership is a unique, two-headed beast. It is filled with so many blessings and privileges. But, at the same time, it is filled with stress, strife and struggles. In one breath leaders enjoy the fruit of their labor as they bring their followers into a promise land experience. It is a mountain top moment. Yet, in the very next breath they are brought down to the valley of the shadow of death and surrounded by torn flesh and dead bones. They enjoy the privileges of position and dine at the table of power. Only later do they realize they have to swallow a decision that makes their stomach ache with bitterness.
This is the passage we have before us, above. Moses has lead the nation of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years. In this passage he is told by God he is about to die. Joshua will now be the leader. Imagine Joshua’s mindset. He has been Moses’ protege for these 40 years. He and Caleb are the only two left from that first generation. Joshua is chosen over Caleb. He will replace Moses. What a thrill!! Then, God tells him about the followers he is about lead. He goes from mountain top to valley floor in a single sentence: “Then this people will rise and whore after the foreign gods ...”.
Joshua was given a strategic plan. He was to take them into the promise land, conquer the land, secure the land, divide the land and settle the people in the land. That was the path before him. He is equipped by God to complete the tasks (and he does). Yet, he is to do this with a group of rebellious, selfish and unfocused followers. This message might have taken the edge off Joshua’s promotion. He might have even wished Caleb was hearing this and not him. But, the truth is, leadership for God comes with great power and delight, as well as great problems and despair. This is why he was told this by God before his leadership started:
Joshua 1:5-7 (ESV Strong's)
5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
God empowers those He chooses for the overwhelming tasks He asks them to complete!!
No comments:
Post a Comment