Leadership can and most usually is a difficult task.  It is simply not a process of giving commands but getting people to do what is needed.  A part of leadership is to help one’s people accomplish the goals that are set before them.  But there can be a multitude of reasons why this doesn’t come off so well.

People are flawed and will usually error on the side of what’s easier for them.  One of the things that will separate a good ‘spiritual leader’ (pastor, elder, deacon, small group leader, etc.) is the ability to discern what’s worth the effort.  They should have the ability to take in what they believe God’s will is while taking out their personal wants and interests.

Joshua, the leader that took Moses’ place, was facing a dilemma of trying to get his people to see what their God given path was before them.  As usual they couldn’t see the same things Joshua was seeing.  Check out this passage and notice his leadership technique.

14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?” 15 And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” 16 The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” 17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, 18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”

Joshua 17: 14-18 ESV

Technique – Restate the Obvious.

Now here’s why I think he did this or here’s the possible intention behind his words.

  • I am one of the last surviving people from the Exodus.  I have seen God do the impossible on multiple occasions.
  • This project/task is not based on your limitations but it is based on God.
  • God has promised, actually entered into a covenant that He will deliver this land to us to dwell in.
  • Lastly, I have confidence in you…

Sometimes we need to restate the obvious.  Upon hearing/seeing a vision from God repeatedly, the future will begin to sink into our heads now.