The Lesson of Word and Presence

Today’s lesson from the life of Joshua is the least like any taken from the leadership volumes of this age. It concerns the more mystical elements of faith leadership – God’s presence and word. It is these that validate us in many ways, and that certainly marks us out as those from a different kingdom or domain.

The tabernacle, also called the tent of meeting, features prominently in the wilderness wanderings of Israel. Moses spent a great deal of time in the tabernacle. It is also called the tent of the Torah – signifying God’s word.

Joshua was drawn to the tent of meeting. Moses went to this tent to speak and enquire of God. It was positioned some distance away from the hustle and bustle of the camp. Getting there required some effort. When Moses went to the tent, Joshua followed along with him. Not only did Joshua go with Moses, but he also, more significantly, stayed when Moses left. He lingered in the presence of God after Moses had spoken with the Lord. Something of God’s holy and magnificent word and presence stayed in that tent after Moses left. It was this that Joshua became attracted to.

This presence transforms, heals, corrects, empowers, saves, judges, and acts for us. This presence speaks volumes without a word being spoken. It captures, changes, charges, and rests on us as we, like Joshua, stay behind.

The fact the tent was also called the tent of the Torah leads us to assume that Joshua became not only a devotee of the Presence but a person of God’s word as well. This is further established in Joshua 1, where Moses told Joshua to remain in scripture to ensure his success. His food was not to be the writings of the philosophers, the famous, or the voices of this world, but scripture.

The lessons of the word of God and the presence of God were determinative in the development of Joshua as a leader. It is no less with us.