As the story of Joshua wraps up, I want to look at his life as a whole, and especially what his life shows us about leadership.
Right from the start, we know that Joshua hears from God, and listens to God. The Lord gives him his mission and goal: that the people of Israel would inherit the land God had promised (Joshua 1:6), and also some ways to reach this. First, throughout his life, there is the continued presence of God with Joshua "I will not leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Second, the importance of God's Word. God charges Joshua not just to know the Book of the Law, but to meditate on it daily. Then, not just to think about it, but to do it, everything according to the Law, not moving from it to the left or right. So when particular problems or situations arise, Joshua asks God what to do, whether it's a battle strategy or how to deal with sin within the Israelite forces. Joshua heard from God through his promise, his presence, his Word, and by talking with him.
Joshua spends his time pointing people towards God. He sets up memorials and renews the covenant, constantly reminding the people of God's promises and his faithfulness. In chapter 24, he testifies to God, telling of what he has done and his character. He also calls the people to respond to God, in line with this revelation of him. "Fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and faithfulness" (Joshua 24:14). And so the people, perhaps simply caught up in the rhetoric and emotion, cry out that they will serve God, since he has been good to them. If it had been me, I might have stopped there, having got a positive response from the crowd. But Joshua goes further, saying to serve God not simply because he is good, but because God is God. He gives the full testimony of God's character; His jealousy, his holiness, his wrath, his faithfulness, and his love. Joshua pointed the people towards God, giving a full picture of God.
The epitaph of Joshua is not "Joshua led wisely" or "Joshua conquered lands", or even "Joshua did anything". The epitaph is "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua" (Joshua 24:31). The legacy of his leadership was that people were pointed towards God.
A few final thoughts about "followship". There's a big push towards 'developing leaders' in today's world, both within and without the church. Clearly I see leadership as important to develop, but we also need to train people to be good followers. After all, the premise of many reality TV shows is 'too many chiefs and not enough Indians'. Joshua's followers show some ways that we can support our leaders. First, they obeyed Joshua's instructions (Joshua 1:17). Secondly, they encouraged Joshua "Be strong and courageous" (1:18). Too often we spend our time knocking down our leaders, rather than encouraging them. Thirdly, they blessed Joshua "May the Lord your God be with you" (1:17). We need to pray for our leaders (clergy, bosses, supervisors, politicians, and the list goes on). We can pray that they would be like Joshua, knowing God, and pointing others towards him.
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