Joshua 1:10–15 (ESV) — 10 And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, 11 “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare
your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go
in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to
possess.’ ”
12 And to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of
Manasseh Joshua said, 13
“Remember the word that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying,
‘The Lord your God is providing you a place of rest and will give you this
land.’ 14 Your wives, your little ones, and
your livestock shall remain in the land that Moses gave you beyond the Jordan,
but all the men of valor among you shall pass over armed before your brothers
and shall help them, 15
until the Lord gives rest to your brothers as he has to you, and they also take
possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving them. Then you shall
return to the land of your possession and shall possess it, the land that Moses
the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
NOTE: Joshua is a
good example of a leader, and more importantly of a spiritual leader. He is not
a micromanager, yet he does the little things well. For one thing, he involves
his officers. He gives them the responsibility to get the people ready. He lays
down a time frame. He reminds them of the why, "we are possessing the land
that the LORD YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU to possess." The focus is on God, not
on the people. Next, he makes a special trip to the 2 1/2 tribes that are on
the wrong side of the Jordan. He reminds them of their promise and of his
promise to fulfill the agreement. Often times, when a barrier exists between
groups, it separates the groups. The 2 1/2 tribes have to feel a part of the
work of God or Joshua will lose them. Ultimately, they will disappear, but not
during Joshua's lifetime. They chose immediate gratification instead of waiting
for God's promise. They chose what their eyes saw, rather than what God said
was best. It did not destroy them at first, but it was clearly contributory
later in their history. Joshua does everything right as a leader, but even
right steps do not guarantee obedience among the followers. Every parent sees
that truth lived out in their children (some more than others). Doing the right
thing is not a guarantee of success in the follower or child. A person is free
to make their own choices--love could not exist otherwise, but it is so painful
to see someone make choices for their own harm and destruction. Lord have mercy
on us and on those we love. How we hurt you …, how we hurt each other.
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