Another Man Called to Lead

"Now Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. And everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp. And it came about, whenever Moses went out to the tent, that all the people would arise and stand, each at the entrance of his tent, and gaze after Moses until he entered the tent. Whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend and stand at the entrance of the tent; and the Lord would speak with Moses. When all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would arise and worship, each at the entrance of his tent. Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent." -Exodus 33.7-11

After the incident with the golden calf Moses goes and makes atonement for the people, and God has them leave the mountain, heading to the Promised Land. But at this point, God Himself no longer goes with them. Instead He sends His angel ahead of them because He said if He were to go with them, He would destroy them. The continue on their journey to Canaan, and when they stop to make camp Moses would set a tent up outside the camp where he would go and meet with God.

Moses and God would talk face to face, as two friends having a conversation. Imagine what that would be like; to have that kind of intimacy with God. And in the final verse we see an essential attribute of a leader. When Moses would leave the tent and return to camp, Joshua would stay behind.

The first time that verse hit me I immediately thought of Joshua 1, as Joshua is preparing to lead Israel into the Promised Land. God promises him to be with him as he was with Moses. Why can this promise be made? Because Joshua sought God like Moses did. When Moses left the tent of meeting Joshua stayed behind. And it is important to note that at this time Joshua has no idea that he will be the next leader of Israel, Moses doesn't even know that yet. It isn't until Numbers 27 that we find this out. Joshua stays behind in the tent of meeting, and does not depart. He can lead like Moses, because he sought God like Moses.

Men, what kind of leader, what kind of man, do you want to be? Who is the man you admire most? Who is the man about whom you say, "I hope I can be half the man he is."? What makes them the way they are? Are you striving to be like them by doing what they do? I'm not saying to copy them in every aspect of their lives, but do you live like they live?

The man I admire most is the wise "old" Sage I've mentioned before. We have different passions, different strengths, and our hearts break for different things, but I want to live as he lives, fully devoted to Kingdom work, always focused on glorifying God. God probably won't use me in the same way He has used this man, we're different people, but if I seek to live as he has lived, God can use me in the same capacity.

Moses and Joshua had very different ministries, but God was with them equally because they sought Him equally. We have no record of Aaron doing this, even as a priest, and Aaron failed. But Joshua ended up being a great leader who began the conquest of the Promised Land. Two men were called to lead, one failed, the other didn't.

You, too, are another man called to lead, what is your approach to the preparation?

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor