Today’s Reading: Joshua 9; Joshua 10; Joshua 11; 1 Corinthians 6
Scripture: Joshua 10:22-26
Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me." So they brought the five kings out of the cave — the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks. Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight." Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung them on five trees, and they were left hanging on the trees until evening.
Observation: This is a brutal scene — but there is a beautiful principle demonstrated here. Joshua and the Israeli army are in the process of wiping out a force of five combined armies and have captured in a cave the kings of the five cities that joined together against Israel. Right here we see Joshua in the role of not just the leader or commander, but we see Joshua as the discipler and teacher. It was not long ago that Moses was the great leader and Joshua was his assistant and student. And it was Joshua who needed to be told “do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.” Well, Joshua got the message. He learned the lesson. And more than just the personal lesson of walking and trusting in God’s strength, he learned the modeled lesson of discipleship. He was trained not only to lead, but to train leaders. And here we see the proof. Rather than just having the five kings put to death, he has them sealed in a cave until the battle is over and then brought out to teach his leaders. He brings his leaders and has each of them stand with his boot on the neck of one of the enemy kings and in that intense setting, he schools them. This is a moment that they will need to remember. There will be a time when they are facing an enemy that will make them shake in their boots and they will be able to recall the time that those very boots were on the necks of five kings that had attacked them. This image will be burned into their memories and will serve to remind them of God’s help in the past so they will trust in His help for their future trials.
Application: We need to follow this pattern. We need to receive lessons from those who are going before us and give lessons to those who are coming after us. This means that there needs to be ongoing relationship in our lives. Moses took Joshua along with him in many situations (up to Mount Sinai, fighting the Amalekites, etc.) so Joshua saw firsthand what was involved and he learned by sharing those experiences. Joshua, of course, had his commanders along in the battle, but he also made sure that they were brought to him for the judgment on these attacking kings. We need to take those whom God has called us to train and include them in the stuff of life. Let them see what it means to be a man of God (or woman of God), a servant leader, etc. I think of all the times my own sons were with me when I would rescue someone whose car had quit in the middle of the road. As we are together pushing the car to the side of the road, I would tell them, “I always think of what I would want someone else to do if your mom was stuck.” They learned by example. This type of training requires intentionality and commitment because often it is easier to do it yourself. But in the long run, we will be far ahead if we use our lives as the training grounds for those we are leading.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for all the help You have given to me over many years — Your faithfulness is so great. And thank You for calling me to the privilege of leadership. Help me to consistently remember to use the opportunities You bring to me in training those who are the next generation of leaders. And may all of those who lead, be teachers and trainers, as well as leaders.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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