Joshua 1: 1 – 7
Today we have TV shows called; “I Want to Work for Diddy” and
“The Apprentice”, that are very popular. We imagine that we have a window into what makes a millionaire by watching a group of young people go through a series of stunts, and phony jobs while vying for a pot of prize money, usually quite a hefty amount, going to the last one standing.
These are not real examples of apprenticeship.
My father was an upholsterer. He learned his craft starting at an early age, around 12 years old, working after school at a shop of another upholsterer. He began by sweeping the floors, and then was given more responsibility as he mastered each task, until, after years of hard work; he was able to do the work of a master craftsman.
There was a time when all jobs had this process. Young men and women would learn their craft at the feet of a teacher, taking years to hone their skills. This is the process that Joshua went through with Moses.
We remember Joshua for marching around the wall of Jericho. He also had some important responsibilities as a spy (Num. 13:16) and as a warrior (Ex. 17:10). But he was often in the shadow of someone else—Moses. For 40 years, Joshua served as Moses’ assistant, aide, and apprentice (Ex. 24:13).
God takes His own time to prepare us for service. Sometimes that period of waiting is as valuable as learning all the needed strategies and goals. Joshua observed Moses’ faith in God. He learned what it meant to be humble (Num. 12:3), how to take instruction (Ex. 17:10), and how to be a true servant of God (Josh. 1:1; 24:29). Even a display of Moses’ temper (Num. 20:7-12) was an opportunity to watch and learn. By spending time with Moses, Joshua learned things that couldn’t be learned from a book.
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant:
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
5 No-one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
Today we have TV shows called; “I Want to Work for Diddy” and
“The Apprentice”, that are very popular. We imagine that we have a window into what makes a millionaire by watching a group of young people go through a series of stunts, and phony jobs while vying for a pot of prize money, usually quite a hefty amount, going to the last one standing.
These are not real examples of apprenticeship.
My father was an upholsterer. He learned his craft starting at an early age, around 12 years old, working after school at a shop of another upholsterer. He began by sweeping the floors, and then was given more responsibility as he mastered each task, until, after years of hard work; he was able to do the work of a master craftsman.
There was a time when all jobs had this process. Young men and women would learn their craft at the feet of a teacher, taking years to hone their skills. This is the process that Joshua went through with Moses.
We remember Joshua for marching around the wall of Jericho. He also had some important responsibilities as a spy (Num. 13:16) and as a warrior (Ex. 17:10). But he was often in the shadow of someone else—Moses. For 40 years, Joshua served as Moses’ assistant, aide, and apprentice (Ex. 24:13).
God takes His own time to prepare us for service. Sometimes that period of waiting is as valuable as learning all the needed strategies and goals. Joshua observed Moses’ faith in God. He learned what it meant to be humble (Num. 12:3), how to take instruction (Ex. 17:10), and how to be a true servant of God (Josh. 1:1; 24:29). Even a display of Moses’ temper (Num. 20:7-12) was an opportunity to watch and learn. By spending time with Moses, Joshua learned things that couldn’t be learned from a book.
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant:
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
5 No-one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
People who become great leaders
Sometimes need to learn
How to serve and follow others
Then they’ll get their turn. —Sper
A person who is not willing to follow is not prepared to lead.
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