Joshua - The Making of a Leader

by MBG

I. Servant (Exodus 33:11)

Joshua learned leadership from Moses through interaction with him. Joshua was there aiding and assisting Moses throughout the Exodus journey. Joshua here learned submission to a higher authority, and also to feel for the follower. A leader who cannot be a follower will not have any.

II. Soldier (Exodus 17:9)

It is odd to me that Moses would not be the General in this battle, but he delegated it to Joshua. Could this be nothing more than a training ground for the one who would subdue the land of Canaan? Joshua must have known how to motivate, plan, train, execute, and fight.

III. Sought the Lord (Exodus 33:7)

It is not verbatim in this verse, but if we compare it to verse eleven we can deduce that since Joshua had to have been one of the people who sought the Lord because he was present in the Tabernacle. Joshua sought the same God that his leader, Moses, talked with face to face. Joshua had seen the hand of God in all that had occurred thus far, acknowledges his own inabilities, and here sought the Lord.

IV. Stayed in the Tabernacle (Ex. 33:11)

Joshua had just heard God speak to Moses and the pillar of cloud descend on this place. Something stirred in his breast that cried out that this what he needed. Joshua would not leave the place until he had this something, but what was it? Joshua knew the task that lay ahead of him in succeeding Moses, and he knew that he could not do it unless God did it through him

V. Spirit filled (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Joshua was filled with the Spirit. The Spirit does not come upon idle folk, but upon those through whom He may work. Joshua was a man sensitive to God’s leading and allowed God to do the work through him.