(a) Describe the role of Joshua in the story of the twelve spies, indicating the reasons why God chose him to succe Moses. (b) What four lessons can church ...

Answer Details

(a) The role of Joshua in the story of the twelve spies (Numbers 13-14) and why God chose him to succeed Moses

Moses sent twelve leaders, one from each tribe, to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua the son of Nun represented the tribe of Ephraim. After forty days the spies returned with the fruit of the land, but ten of them brought a discouraging report, saying the land was inhabited by giants (the descendants of Anak) before whom they felt like grasshoppers, and that the cities were fortified. This report spread fear and rebellion among the people, who wept, murmured against Moses and Aaron, and wished to return to Egypt.

Joshua, together with Caleb the son of Jephunneh, stood against this faithless majority. They tore their clothes and encouraged the people, declaring that the land was exceedingly good, that if the Lord delighted in them He would bring them in, and that they should not fear the inhabitants or rebel against the Lord, for the Lord was with them. The angry congregation threatened to stone them, but the glory of the Lord appeared. God judged the unbelieving generation to die in the wilderness over forty years, but promised that only Joshua and Caleb, because of their faith, would enter the Promised Land.

Reasons God chose Joshua to succeed Moses: He was a man of faith and courage who trusted God against the crowd; he was obedient and loyal, having served Moses faithfully as his assistant; he was filled with the spirit of wisdom; and he had proven military leadership (he had led Israel in battle against Amalek). God commissioned him publicly before Eleazar the priest, laying hands on him to lead the people into Canaan.

(b) Four lessons church leaders can learn

1. Courage to stand for the truth: Leaders must uphold God's word even when the majority opposes them.
2. Faith and trust in God: Genuine leaders rely on God rather than being paralysed by obstacles or fear.
3. Faithful service and loyalty are rewarded: Joshua's long, humble service prepared and qualified him for higher responsibility.
4. Leaders must encourage and not discourage their followers: A good leader builds up the people's faith and vision rather than spreading fear and complaint.