The Characteristics of an Exceptional Leader: Insights from Joshua

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I'm switching gears this week and turning to the Book of Joshua. I don't know how many of you have read and studied this book, but if you are interested in leadership, this is one book of the Bible you don't want to miss. It is not only filled with extraordinary accomplishments, but it's also a fabulous blueprint of the hallmarks of a great leader.

Let's begin with a bit of background. Joshua, son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim, was born into slavery in Egypt. He witnessed and experienced all the miracles God performed in setting His people free from the bondage of slavery. Joshua first appears in the Bible in Exodus 17:9 as Moses's leader in charge of fighting the Amalekites who attacked the Israelites in the wilderness. We then meet Joshua again as Moses's attendant, who goes with him to Mount Sinai (Exod 24:13, Exod 32:17) and we see Joshua dwells in the Tent of Meeting (Exod 33:11). Joshua is also one of the twelve spies sent into Canaan to scout out the land. He and Caleb are the only ones that provide a good report. In return, God spares their lives and rewards them as the only two in their entire generation to be able to enter into the "promised land." Not even Moses was granted this privilege!

Interestingly, Joshua's name means "salvation- the one who saves, helps, & delivers.) It is fitting because when God tells Moses it is time for him to die, Joshua is chosen as Moses's successor. It is Joshua who finally leads the Israelites into the "promised land" - conquering the entire region, and that included killing thirty-one (31) kings, taking their kingdoms, and establishing the Jewish nation. Joshua also oversees dividing the land and allocating it to the twelve (12) tribes of Israel. He accomplishes all this in his eighties (80s) and lives to be one hundred & ten (110.)

I would be remiss not to point out some of the highlights of Joshua's adventures:

·  He successfully led the Jewish people across the raging Jordan River on completely dry ground, reminiscent of the parting of the Red Sea.

·  He encountered an angel, not just any angel, but the Commander of the Lord's army.

·  He also captured the fortified city of Jericho by commanding his army to march around it. On the seventh day, they shouted, and the walls came tumbling down!

·  He commanded the sun and moon to stand still to prolong the daylight so that he could win a significant battle, and God granted his request.

·  He was the first to give an inheritance of land to women and

·  He was the first to create Cities of Refuge, which allowed anyone who had accidentally killed another to seek asylum and be afforded a legal trial.

Joshua led an amazing life, and his greatest accomplishment was being an exceptional leader. Contrary to what you might think, Joshua's army was composed of skilled veteran soldiers experienced in the same infantry weapons and tactics used by the Egyptian and Canaanite armies. The army's range of tactical maneuvers was extensive. It included tactical reconnaissance, ambush, concentration of forces, decoys, deception, coordination of divided forces, tactical communication, indirect approaches, feints, diversionary movements, lethal pursuit, and storming fortified cities.

But, it wasn't his army that made Joshua an exceptional leader. No, it was his character. When you read the book of Joshua, you cannot help but see the following:

·  Devote: Joshua was a man of God.  He relied on God's guidance and put God first. He sought the Lord and listened to God's instructions without question or hesitation.

·  Perseverance: Joshua demonstrated the value of perseverance and patience in pursuing long-term goals. He never lost sight of the mission and never wavered in his belief of total success.

·  Humility: Joshua was a humble man. You saw him with his troops, always in battle- willing to lead the front. You also saw that he put his God and his people before himself. In fact, when the territory was conquered and divided, he was the last to receive his portion.

·  Committed: Joshua was committed to God instead of idols and feared the Lord above all else.

·  Consistent: Joshua was consistent in all his actions, and when he swore an oath or gave his word, he was faithful to always keep it!

·  Encouragement: Joshua was an encourager. He consistently told his people that God was faithful and that they would be victorious. I believe this came naturally to him because God himself had encouraged him directly by telling him three separate times "to be strong and courageous."

·  Experienced & Competent: Joshua was a successful leader who led by example. His orders were followed, and his people respected him because he had demonstrated that he was experienced, competent and could be trusted.

·  Faithfulness: Joshua was a faithful spiritual leader who ensured the people honored the Lord by celebrating Passover, were circumcised, and created memorials to the Lord. Pleasing God mattered more to him above even pleasing people.

So, we see the characteristics of devotion, perseverance, humility, commitment, consistency, encouragement, experience, competency, and faithfulness.  Those are the mark of a truly remarkable leader!!

Now that we've discussed how impressive Joshua was let me share his ONE MISTAKE with you.

It's found in Chapter Nine- Joshua has already conquered two major cities, and when the neighboring town of Gibeon hears about what's happened, they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Joshua 9:3-16 reads:

"However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, "We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us."

7 The Israelites said to the Hivites, "But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?"

8 "We are your servants," they said to Joshua.

But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from?"

9 They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us."' 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey."

14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them."

Did you catch it? The mistake?

Joshua failed to ask the Lord and in turn was deceived! And this failure cost them- they sinned against God by disobeying His instructions not to leave anyone alive, and they gave an oath of protection. Caught between a rock and a hard place, as to break the oath would dishonor God. So, the Gibeonites became enslaved, and the nation of Israel was now committed to protect them!

One mistake.  One mistake in a lifetime of successes isn't something to sneeze at, but had Joshua done what he always done previously and inquired of the Lord, he would have never been deceived!

I believe this is such a valuable lesson that is so needed for today like never before!  For God’s people to be diligent and NOT BE DECEIVED.    Just like Joshua, looks can be deceiving- we won’t always be able to tell what is true with just our eyes, our intellect, our instinct, and especially not our feelings.  We need GOD!  We need Him in the big things in life and the small! 

Ladies, whether you see yourself as a leader or not. I want you to know that you are one! A leader has influence, and if you are part of a family or a community, then you have influence over others! Especially if have children or grandchildren.  You have influence you are a leader in your home! Let us learn our lesson now from the life of Joshua. I pray we would all strive to model ourselves after Joshua- his character, dedication, and faithfulness and learn from his mistake that in ALL things, great or small, we should always first seek the Lord- to inquire of Him so that we will not be deceived!

Let me encourage you with this final truth that comes from John 14:15-26 (read it for yourself) we are NOT alone.  Know from this verse- we aren’t lost- we have access to clear direction and instruction because those that believe in the Lord Jesus Christ the Messiah, we have been given immediate access to the Lord.   We can experience His presence in our hearts, guiding us, comforting us, teaching us, and SPEAKING to us!  He is our constant companion and He goes by the name- Holy Spirit.  He is with us always.  So, inquire of Him in ALL things and He will answer – He will lead you well so that you can lead others!