Flash forward to Numbers 13. Moses needed spies to examine the land of Canaan. He selected twelve. Ten brought back reports of the impossibility of the task. Two brought back good reports. The reports of fear and doubt won the day. Joshua’s courage catapulted him to the forefront of the Hebrew community and positioned him for greater leadership.
The Hebrew sin of failing to enter the Promised Land in Numbers 13, forced them into a forty year wandering in the desert of Sinai. Moses led the people through the deserts of Sinai. An entire generation of faithless adults died off during those years. But Joshua remained Moses’ faithful servant.
Joshua witnessed Moses’ execution of the man who broke the Sabbath law.
Moses continued to lead the Hebrews through Korah, Dathan, and Abiram’s rebellion (Numbers 16), in which they questioned God’s standard of holiness. Their rebellion ended with the earth opening up and swallowing the rebels and their entire families in judgment. And Joshua was by Moses’ side.
- Joshua witnessed Aaron’s staff when it budded (Numbers 17).
- Joshua was present when Miriam, Moses’ sister, died in Kadesh.
- Joshua witnessed Moses when he struck the rock indignantly, in a search for water, disobeying God’s command to simply speak to the rock. Joshua understood the terrible consequences of Moses’ disobedience that barred him from entering the Promised Land.
- Joshua comforted his leader upon the death of Moses’ brother, Aaron, the high priest of the Hebrews.
- Joshua stood alongside Moses when the people complained over the worthless food and were stricken with the judgment of fiery serpents (Numbers 21). He witnessed the serpent wound around the pole in the wilderness.
- Joshua fought for Moses in battles to defeat Sihon and the Amorites and Og and the Bashanites.
- Joshua grieved the sexual immorality when the sexy Moabite girls seduced the Israelite men into their sex and religion worship. He was astonished at the ease with which the men were led astray by their lusts.
- Joshua was there, leading the charge to seek vengeance on the Midianites wicked deception (Numbers 31).
- A Joshua is a loyal supporter and companion to his God-appointed leader.
- A Joshua is optimistic about conquest, attainment of God’s Promise.
- A Joshua champions and implements his leader’s agenda.
- A Joshua is a prayer warrior.
- A Joshua’s success is defined by making his leader successful.
- A Joshua is filled with the Spirit.
- A Joshua is preparing to succeed his leader when called upon to do so.
Tom Lorimer is one of the most gifted people I have ever met. We were colleagues for 18 years. Organized, hard-working, a gifted multi-tasker. Tom and Becky home schooled their 5 children. All the while, Tom pastored a church. Since 1995, he served as professor, then Academic Dean and Executive Vice President at KMBC. Tom described his job: “My job is to make the President look good.”
Tom dealt with problems so that the President did not have to. He corralled unruly faculty. Tom counseled students. Tom helped couples prepare for marriage. Tom reviewed budgets and endowments. Tom held the compass while the President steered the ship.
Tom Lorimer is a great leader in his own right. But he is a tremendous Joshua.
Every Moses needs a Joshua. Every leader needs people who will stand with him or her.
Are you a good Joshua to your God-appointed leader?
Tom dealt with problems so that the President did not have to. He corralled unruly faculty. Tom counseled students. Tom helped couples prepare for marriage. Tom reviewed budgets and endowments. Tom held the compass while the President steered the ship.
Tom Lorimer is a great leader in his own right. But he is a tremendous Joshua.
Every Moses needs a Joshua. Every leader needs people who will stand with him or her.
Are you a good Joshua to your God-appointed leader?
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