How Do You Follow
As we look to the future, we face numerous plans, preparations, and challenges. True leadership is rare. Many are elected to positions but falter or fail. Without faithful, ethical, and effective leaders, people lose direction.
For forty years, God's chosen people wandered because they refused to follow, obey, and conquer. Moses, one of history's greatest leaders, was nearing the end of his journey. God was preparing to lead a new generation into the Promised Land, and Joshua was chosen as Moses' successor. Joshua understood the vital importance of following his leader and obeying God. There are profound truths to learn and apply as we explore this journey.
Let's examine Joshua's life and how God prepared him as he followed Moses. Wherever you are on your own journey, we must continue following those God places in our lives to guide us. We must continually learn, show respect, and remain accountable to both God and our leaders.
Joshua's Journey of Following:
1. Joshua's Willingness to Listen and Follow:
Exodus 24:12-13: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay there, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written, that you may teach them.” So Moses rose with Joshua his aide, and went up the mountain of God."
This pivotal moment reveals God choosing a leader who, in turn, chose a leader – his assistant, Joshua – to witness God's glory. This glory manifested as a consuming fire, a unique and powerful self-revelation of God.
A. Learning from Moses: This passage highlights Joshua's early role as a follower, learning directly from Moses.
B. Being in God's Presence: Exodus 24:16-17: “Then Moses climbed up the mountain, and the cloud covered it. And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. To the Israelites at the foot of the mountain, the glory of the Lord appeared at the summit like a consuming fire.”
This demonstrates Joshua's consistent presence alongside Moses, observing and absorbing his leadership.
It's easy to become impatient and think we can learn independently. God provides opportunities for learning through following our leaders. Joshua not only learned by following but also learned to be in God's special presence.
Are you willing to follow and learn from your leader? We must pray for God to teach us and allow us to experience the glory of His presence. It will transform us.
2. Learning to Perform Duties:
Exodus 33:11: "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent."
A. Moses' Intimate Relationship with God: God and Moses spoke face to face, not because Moses was perfect, gifted, or powerful, but because he dedicated time to God and wholly relied on His wisdom and direction.
B. Joshua's Observance and Dedication: While Joshua's specific duties are not detailed, he remained in the tent even after Moses left. How often do we rush and miss what God is saying and doing?
C. Friendship with God is Possible: God called Moses His friend. Jesus called His disciples His friends. When we accept the invitation to open communication with God, we build a deep friendship – potentially the greatest friendship of our lives!
3. Leadership Transferred by Moses:
God designated Joshua to lead the people into their inheritance.
A. Moses Commissions Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:7: "Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you1 must go with this people into the land the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.”
God had made it clear that Moses would not enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). He instructed Moses to commission Joshua as the new leader and encourage him in his role. This act highlights Joshua's faithfulness and the importance of his prior role as a follower in preparing him for leadership. This serves as an important example for churches and organizations, which must prepare future leaders. Good leaders train and encourage their successors. This is a critical need in our time.
B. Moses Encourages Joshua: Deuteronomy 31:8: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”2
Moses' encouragement reinforces the transfer of leadership and demonstrates the value of mentorship and followership. We all need such encouragement. How blessed we are when a special leader believes in us, invests in us, and encourages us to follow God's leading.
Conclusion:
Do we recognize the God-called leaders in our lives? How do we react to following during challenging times?
God calls and places leaders in positions of influence. Moses, who initially felt inadequate ("not eloquent," Exodus 4:10), walked in God's power and transformed from a hesitant shepherd into a national leader and powerful orator. His courage, humility, and wisdom molded Hebrew slaves into a nation. And God was Moses' closest friend. What a powerful example for Joshua, his assistant, to follow!
Joshua took advantage of the opportunity to learn from his God-called leader. I encourage you to look around and recognize the leaders God has placed in your life. We cannot lead until we learn to follow. Even if we are not in full-time ministry, we still follow leaders and gain invaluable knowledge and experience.
Then, we lead those who are learning from us. What a profound responsibility and blessing to serve, teach, train, and encourage others on their journey with God.
Duplicate yourselves. The more you follow, the more effectively you can train others, and the Kingdom of God will reap a bountiful harvest in preparation for His return.
Reflection:
● Name a leader who has helped or is currently helping you on your journey.
● Describe your attitude toward following.
● Who are you training to follow you?
Continued in the next lesson: Another Chance