Joshua Is Prepared  for Leadership: The Importance of Cultivating Intentional Spiritual Practices

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Editor’s Note: As part of the Pentecostal Charismatic Curriculum Commission (PCCC), Messenger Publishing House participates in the development of new weekly lesson guides for use in small groups and church discipleship. This particular article has been excerpted and adapted for use from Unit 6 of the Fall 2024 adult curriculum.

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In the world today, it sometimes feels like we find ourselves in a leadership vacuum. Those in secular leadership seem to perpetuate moral ambivalence or at least come off as out of touch. Even in Christian communities, moral failure has marred our reputation, and existing leaders refuse to open their arms to the next generations. In the lives and leadership of Moses and Joshua, however, we discover that true leadership is first and foremost rooted in an unrelenting pursuit of the presence of God. By the Spirit, we are shaped into men and women who exhibit integrity or moral fortitude, perseverance despite the trial, and honor for all generations.

The texts cited this week identify key moments in Joshua’s spiritual development, revealing his commitment to pursue God’s presence. By lingering in the tent of meeting where the Holy Spirit dwelt, by learning to hear the Word of the Lord and revere the correction of his trusted mentor, and by relying upon the Holy Spirit for peace and courage, the important leadership qualities of moral uprightness and courage were cultivated in his life. By his example, contemporary Christian leaders and believers can discover the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit, especially in difficult seasons of tragedy or transition.

1) Lingering in the Spirit

(Exodus 33:7-11)

In many ways, the tent of meeting could be seen almost as a portal between heaven and earth, whereby God’s presence would descend as in a pillar of cloud to meet with His people. At this juncture in the biblical narrative, access to the presence of God involved active steps through space and time on the part of His people. If one sought to “inquire of the Lord” by making petition, seeking guidance, or offering sacrifice, one would have to follow Moses’ example by traveling outside the camp toward the tent of meeting. However, there is no evidence that anyone other than Moses actually entered inside the tent, as most chose to worship from his own tent door (Exodus 33:10).

In verse 11, however, we witness an interesting juxtaposition. After “all the people rise and worship” and Moses communes with God “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11), it is Joshua who remains at the tabernacle, refusing to depart from it. Note that Moses makes the return journey back to the camp, the Levites who would later serve at the tabernacle are nowhere to be found, nor is there a single reference to Aaron or his priestly lineage. And yet here is Joshua serving at the tabernacle, perhaps already cultivating the discipline required of him later after Moses’ death: “Meditate [upon the Law] day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” (Joshua 1:8).

Regardless, by remaining at the tabernacle even without Moses, Joshua exhibits tremendous desire to pursue the presence of God and linger there. His was a kind of worship that was not content with keeping God at arm’s length in a corporate atmosphere, but instead cultivated a pervasive attitude and lifestyle of submission and service.

Question: In what practical ways can we emulate Joshua’s dedication to pursuing God’s presence even outside of the structured worship gathering?

For the people of Israel, pursuit of the presence required intentional discipline to move beyond the natural or familiar and instead physically press into a time and space designed for worship. While some were content with worshipping from their own tent doors, others with righteousness and faith sought to meet God face to face. Through Moses and Joshua, we learn that true, authentic worship involves intentionality and lifelong commitment. When we access the throne of grace, we clear the stage of any idols and reset our priorities. There is more available to us than just a relationship dependent upon petition or inquiry, for the veil of the temple has been ripped open as a call to pursue real communion with the Most High.

2) Humbled in the Spirit  

(Numbers 11:24-30)

In verse 25, we see that an encounter in God’s presence has the power to work wonders. As the elders receive the Spirit, they begin to prophesy. Interestingly, Dr. Gordon Wenham suggests, “The prophesy described here was probably an unintelligible ecstatic utterance, what the New Testament terms speaking in tongues” (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Numbers, 109). In other words, the events taking place at the tabernacle could be interpreted as foreshadowing of the necessary empowerment of the Spirit, which is to be made manifest later in Acts 2.

Now in this passage, we see a younger and more inexperienced Joshua contrasted against the man and leader he would ultimately follow. By referring to Joshua as an “aide” or “choice assistant,” the text implies that Joshua possesses favor and great potential as an apprentice, yet he has not matured enough to assume an unsupervised role of spiritual authority. As such, Joshua’s perspective in verse 28 bleeds with zeal but lacks context. Knowing with total certainty (no doubt as a result of his many hours and days of service at the tent of meeting) that the presence of God had been restricted to the holy places outside of camp, Joshua’s misunderstanding is logical. But it lacked the kind of awareness only a leader like Moses, who communes with God face to face, could achieve.

Though Joshua’s zeal was misdirected, it did not disqualify him from service. In fact, by regarding Moses as “my lord” even in his questioning, Joshua still operates from a position of humility and submission, inviting his mentor to correct as necessary. If anything, Joshua’s misunderstanding proved to be an opportunity to gain understanding and in turn cultivate the spirit of leadership mentioned later in Numbers 27:18 at the time of his commissioning. He may not have received the Spirit on that day to prophesy himself, but his discipline and humility ultimately prepared him to later receive a very particular anointing (empowerment) for leadership.

Question: How can more experienced leaders correct a younger leader and cultivate his or her leadership potential without squashing his or her zeal?

These passages further emphasize the notion that God’s presence will empower leaders for greater effectiveness in their service, especially when it comes to their ability to think God’s thoughts after Him and to do good works amidst the community. For those already in leadership, do not neglect the Spirit. And for those desiring to cultivate a spirit of leadership, do not quench the Spirit. Regardless of your age or stage, the paramount reminder is this: It is the Presence (not the power) that defines you as a leader.

3) Anointed by the Spirit  

(Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:14, 23)

Here Joshua is anointed as Moses’ successor. Having been Moses’ assistant and one of those to actually spy out the land of Canaan, he is uniquely prepared to assume this new role. Most importantly, however, the Spirit already rested within Joshua (Numbers 27:18), suggesting that Joshua was a man of moral uprightness and integrity. He was one upon whom God smiled.

Though Joshua’s days of leadership are different than Moses’—while Moses spoke with God face to face, Joshua is to submit to the authority of the priesthood (Numbers 27:19, 21)—there is still real continuity between them. Through the laying on of hands, Moses confers some of his authority upon Joshua. In doing so, Joshua symbolically receives the mantle of leadership as well as the blessing to serve as Moses’ representative. Joshua’s initial commissioning in the presence of the priest and of the people thus initiated a transition period by which Moses and Joshua would temporarily serve as joint leaders of the nation of Israel until the time of Moses’ death.

Later, however, in the uncertainty of Moses’ impending death, God offers two important guiding principles. First, Joshua is called unto the tabernacle of meeting whereby he might encounter God’s presence. Here Joshua would be commissioned for the second time, not in public ceremony as before but instead by means of God’s tangible presence in the form of a cloud. Second, Joshua is charged to “be strong and of good courage,” which is a posture that only seems realistic and sustainable because he is also told that the Spirit of the Lord “will be with you” (Deuteronomy 31:23).The result of Joshua’s obedience to these two directives is made plain: God will fulfill His promises by bringing the children of Israel into the land sworn to them (Deuteronomy 31:23). Undoubtedly, these pronouncements of favor and blessing would have proven reassuring to Joshua as a period of transition with great obstacles loomed large in the nottoo-distant future.

Question: How does the presence of the Holy Spirit play a role in our ability to be strong and courageous in our faith and leadership?

Spiritual leaders are not immune to doubt and insecurity, especially during seasons of transition or tragedy. Instead of portraying a dishonest aura of perfection in times such as these, spiritual leaders should seek accountability from a mentor, guidance from a community of trusted leaders and friends, and most importantly, wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Though Joshua was called and commissioned for leadership, he could not be successful on his own. In fact, he could only seize the promise after he courageously navigated hardship in the context of community confirmation and heavenly affirmation.

Conclusion / Application

If you desire to be used of God, the call to action is simple: Pursue His presence. God’s hand is upon men and women who cultivate discipline to meditate on God’s Law day and night, who model a lifestyle of prayer and worship, and who practice intentionality in their service to the Kingdom. When the chaos of life overwhelms you, make your pursuit of God’s presence a first response rather than a last resort.

Reflect today on this simple question: Have I neglected the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life? Take a moment to evaluate whether or not you intentionally pursue His presence on a daily basis. Invite Him to empower you for service, forming you into one who exhibits His values and virtue; and invite Him to empower you to witness in order that you might cultivate the spirit of leadership inherent in every Christ-follower called to live as salt and light to the world.

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