If you missed the first post in this series, check it out here (link). The way that Jesus works is through people. He is ultimately in charge, but then He selects men to lead His people according to His commands. We see this in the Exodus (Moses), the invasion of Canaan (Joshua), the expansion of Israel (David), the establishment of the church (Peter), and the mission to the Gentiles (Paul). We even see this today in Scriptural churches (elders).
The leadership of Joshua here in the fall of Jericho cannot be underestimated. Look at verses 10 and 11. Verse 10 reminds us that Joshua is a commander of the people. Not a cheerleader. Not someone to spoon-feed the people of Israel. A commander. And his leadership is so strong that the Scripture says in verse 11 that he ’caused’ the ark to go about the city. This is how well his people/priests listened to him. But here’s a thing about Joshua’s leadership: he was passionate about what God had told him concerning the city of Jericho.
Look at verse 12. Joshua rises early. That’s not in Jesus’ commands…it emerges out of Joshua’s passion for the cause and mission that Jesus had given him. He speaks with authority, and lives with passion. These are the kinds of leaders needed in Greenville. If Jesus is to accomplish His purpose here in Greenville, He will work through leaders who obey Him without question, and are willing to work with passion to accomplish the mission.
Are you that kind of leader? The kind that works like it depends on you, and prays like it depends on God? A leader willing to rise early, sleep late, and do whatever it takes to see that Jesus is made famous in Greenville?
If so, I know of a local church that wants you…. and a city that needs you.
I’m reading through the whole Bible this year at http://biblestudy.crosswalk.com/readingplan and this week I start reading through Joshua… pretty cool “coincidence”