(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 leaders learn from this story?
Moses selected twelve spies to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua, son of Nun was one of them. They were instructed to find out whether they would be able to conquer it or not. When the spies came back, there was disparity in the report because there was division among them. The majority report presented by ten of the spies dismayed the people and they wished they could go back to Egypt instead of being consumed by the giants in the land of Canaan. Joshua and Caleb presented the minority report. Their report was a favourable one, although the people did not believe in it. In their report, they said that the land which they had spied out was a very good land. If the Lord delighted in them, they would be in the land which they said flew with milk and honey.
Joshua warned them not to rebel against the Lord. He disabused their minds and cautioned them not to fear the people of the land. He strengthened their courage that the canaanites would be like food to them if God was with them. God commanded Moses to appoint Joshua as his (Moses) successor because Joshua was valiant and charismatic. He possessed all what a man requires to be a good leader. He feared and trusted God. This was shown in the report he presented. Moses ordained him by laying his hand upon him.
(b) Four lessons that could be learnt by the church leaders from the story are:
(i) Many of our church leaders today fear certain people in the church probably because of their riches and wealth. Joshua did not fear the people. He reported the situation of things as they were. The church leaders of today should say what they see without fear or favour.
(ii) The church leaders of today should fear God and trust in Him. God is the over-all controller of the universe.
(iii) The church leaders should copy the outstanding qualities possesed by Joshua for the role he played among the twelve spies.
(iv) The church leaders should not think of what people would say, no matter the situation, even at the point of death.
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