MONDAY May 9, 2022

Obedient Servant Leader

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him ... At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”
Numbers 27:18-21 NIV

Joshua was trained by Moses; he came alongside Moses as a servant. The name Joshua means “Jehovah is salvation.” As Moses could not go into the Promised Land, Joshua was chosen to lead them instead. He was obedient to God and became a great leader, even though he had human flaws.

As a servant of God, Joshua began to take over the responsibilities of leadership. Interestingly, in Scripture, Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ who became a Servant to mankind. Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, we find mention of His call to servanthood:

“Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:1).

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Before Joshua fully took over his position of leadership, Moses recited the history of Israel to God’s people. The book of Deuteronomy, which Moses wrote within thirty days, was read to them. It reminded Israel of all God’s instructions and gave them a forewarning not to disobey God’s Word. They could choose the blessings of obedience or the tragic consequences of disobedience.

The Bible continually instructs you; therefore there are no excuses for your disobedience. If you choose to be an obedient servant, know that God will bless your obedience. He always blesses those who obey.

I am thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame, and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!