Joshua's Model of Leadership
JOSHUA PUBLICLY RECOGNIZES OBEDIENT SERVICE
The tribes of Israel and their cities are set within geographical boundaries with Joshua settling a measure of dispute in the assignments (Joshua 13-21:45). Joshua has a special word for the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, noting their obedience to Moses, the servant of the Lord, as well as to himself, even keeping the LORD’s charge to them (22:2-3). There is no record that any other person or tribe received this kind of recognition in this context, but Joshua saw their long-standing obedience and made their example evident to the other tribes.
JOSHUA PUBLICLY REWARDS OBEDIENT SERVICE
Joshua blesses Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh (22:6-7) as he did Caleb (14:13). This blessing made these tribes conspicuous among the other tribes, especially the half tribe of Manasseh who returned to their land with the spoils of their enemies (22:8). There is no record that any other person or tribe in this context received this kind of response, but Joshua blessed them and made their example evident to the other tribes.
JOSHUA PUBLICLY REINFORCES OBEDIENT SERVICE
Joshua, now advanced in years, calls for Israel’s tribal chiefs in order to reinforce both the blessings of obedience and the consequences of disobedience in their hearing (Joshua 23). That he begins with reminders of what they had seen concerning “all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations because of you” (23:3) suggests these elders, judges, and officers are also in their elder years as well. His final words to them here imply that they will act as influencers, serving their tribes with the view to “be courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses” (23:6) and to “hold fast to the LORD your God” (23:8) and do not serve other gods (23:7, 16). This reinforcement to obedience applies to everyone.
JOSHUA PUBLICLY REHEARSES OBEDIENT SERVICE
Joshua summons all tribes and their representatives to Shechem, the location where Abraham received the first promise from God, “to your descendants I will give this land” (Genesis 12:6; Joshua 24). Here, on the stage of this physical, geographical reminder, Joshua rehearses the history of God’s fulfillment, even protection, of His promise to Abraham through their present time and situation. Joshua, starting from the father of Abraham, reviews the story behind their inheritance that echoes with themes of obedient service (24:2-13). It should not go without notice that details of the decades of indentured service of Jacob and his sons on various levels are not mentioned, nor the 400 years of captivity; however, the end result of their literal service culminates as indirect examples of obedience.
JOSHUA PUBLICLY RALLIES OBEDIENT SERVICE
“Serve the LORD!” (24:14) is the challenge Joshua presents to the people. “Serve Him in sincerity and truth.” Joshua’s challenge is not to be taken lightly, providing the people with the consequences of disobedience; however, he makes plain there is no middle ground. He makes His position clear: “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (24:15).
