Biblical Leadership, the Example of JoshuaIhe Atụ

God’s Timing

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’” (Joshua 5:13-14)

The people of Israel were ready to conquer the land. Their enemies had heard about the miracles that had happened, for example, when the people crossed the Jordan River. Therefore, they trembled in fear of the Israelites and their God. This was the right time to attack!

But first something else needed to be done. At the Lord's command, Joshua had all the men circumcised as a sign that they were God's special people. In previous years this ritual had not been performed, despite God's command to do so. As a result of their circumcision, all the men were unable to fight for a while—a dangerous situation for people at war! And yet Joshua took this risk. He obeyed God's command even though it made no sense from a human point of view.

Against this background, Joshua unexpectedly met a warrior with a drawn sword. He was not an enemy. Nor was he an Israelite. This man was the Commander of God's army! Now he had come, now that the people had put their relationship with the Lord God in order. Now they could conquer their land. God's invisible army would fight for them and give Israel victory.

A leader must have good strategic insights. But God's plan sometimes goes against that. Are you aware of more examples where God's plan seemed illogical? What made His plan the best in the end?