Issue #399, May 28, 2025

Joshua received a spirit of wisdom from Moses—but that didn’t mean his path would be free of failure. In fact, one of his early leadership mistakes with the Gibeonites became a powerful lesson in gaining wisdom through failure.  This happened in his interaction with the Gibeonites, a nearby group of people who pretended to be from a distant land and sought peace with the Israelites. Joshua, and the leaders, accepted the offer before realizing it was a deception.

¹⁴The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. ¹⁵Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live…  ²⁰This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.” ²¹They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept (Joshua 9:14–15, 20-21, NIV).

This treaty was a significant failure in Joshua’s leadership. But he gained wisdom through the experience as he responded.

Joshua gained wisdom by accepting his mistake.

Joshua was fully prepared for war, but the ruse was a surprise. He failed to stop and ask God for wisdom. His decision was rational but it was not wise. But when Joshua realized what happened he accepted his mistake. He didn’t blame others or point fingers at the leaders that were with him; he took full responsibility for the mistake. He gained wisdom as he reflected on what happened and learned from his failure.

Some leaders look for others to blame when they make a mistake and try to cover up the impact of their failure. But serving leaders accept responsibility for failures and thoughtfully gain wisdom. They understand that failure is a great teacher…when they reflect, learn and grow as a result.

Joshua gained wisdom by a thoughtful response.

When the failure was evident, the Israelite army set out for the Gibeonite territory. Joshua had three days of marching to ponder his options. He had more than enough military power to demolish the Gibeonites and destroy their towns as they had done to Jericho and Ai. Humanly, he was likely angry at himself and at the Gibeonites for what had happened and a brutal response would have pacified all his people who were now grumbling about his decision. But Joshua’s thoughtful response helped him avoid an emotional reaction.    

Some leaders react after a failure and seek to punish others in revenge. But serving leaders take time to reflect so that instead of reacting, they can act with wisdom.

Joshua gained wisdom by honoring his commitment.

Joshua had made a commitment to the Gibeonites and even though they had deceived him, he gained wisdom by choosing to honor his commitment to them. No one would have rebuked him if he would have destroyed them entirely. But Joshua chose to keep his integrity even at a great cost. He found a way to honor his commitment while making the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites.

Some leaders reverse course when they realize they made an unwise promise and justify their actions to save face and look powerful. But serving leaders recognize that one mistake does not justify another. They gain wisdom by finding ways to honor their commitment as well as accomplish their mission.   

Joshua’s failure didn’t disqualify him—it refined him. And failure can do the same for any leader willing to learn.  

For further reflection and discussion:

• Read the full account of this story in Joshua 9:1-27. What additional insights can I observe about how Joshua gained wisdom through this failure?
• How often do I pause to reflect and pray before making what seems to be an obvious decision? What impact does this have on my leadership?
• What significant leadership failure have I experienced and what did I learn from it? Are there ways I gained wisdom through that experience? What would I do differently if I had a chance to do it again?
• Am I always willing to honor my commitments, even when I later realize I should not have made the commitment? How does this impact my leadership?
• In addition to these reflections from Joshua’s life, consider the following verses that relate to gaining wisdom through failure and God’s discipline:   Prov. 3:11-12; 12:1; 15:31-32; 19:20; 26:11-12; Ps. 51:1-6; and James 1:2-5.        

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll examine how Joshua utilized wisdom to uphold standards.

Issue #398, May 14, 2025

Leadership challenges quickly show us how much we need wisdom—more than knowledge alone, we need the ability to act correctly in difficult moments. This is the essence of wisdom: applying what we know and experience to make sound judgments and decisions. Knowledge relates to what we know; wisdom relates to how we should act.

In this series, we’ll explore how Joshua, one of the Bible’s great leaders, found, gained, and exercised wisdom in leading God’s people.  In this first reflection, we’ll look at how Joshua found wisdom. Early in his leadership, scripture tells us that he was filled with wisdom— making his life and leadership a powerful case study on wisdom.

“Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9, NIV)

What can we learn from Joshua about how he found wisdom? 

Joshua found wisdom by spending time with God.

The text above indicates that Joshua was filled with wisdom because Moses laid hands on him. While this had a spiritual element, we also know that Joshua spent much time in God’s presence before this. While Moses would speak to God and then return to the people, Joshua stayed at the tent (see Exodus 33:11). Here Joshua learned what Solomon would write about over 300 years later, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10). In this tent, Joshua was in the background, developing the heart of a leader that served others. Here he learned to value God’s presence more than a position or the applause of people. This private shaping prepared him for public service.

Some leaders look for wisdom in the latest book on leadership or at the conference that promises answers to leadership challenges. While these are good in themselves, serving leaders first find wisdom in time alone with God. They seek wisdom not in position but from presence. Serving leaders who want to grow in wisdom don’t skip the time in the tent!

Joshua found wisdom by observing a wise leader.

Moses laid hands on Joshua only after 40 years of Joshua observing how Moses led. Joshua saw how Moses met with God, how he responded to troublemakers and slanderous attacks. Joshua led the people to battle with the Amalekites but learned that it was the prayers of Moses on the mountain that determined the outcome.   

Some leaders expect to find wisdom on their own, believing that they have what it takes to become wise. But serving leaders observe older, wiser leaders and learn wisdom from them.

Joshua found wisdom by being commissioned.    

Moses commissioned Joshua to be the next leader by laying his hands on Joshua. This transfer of authority and power included the gift of wisdom that Moses possessed. It also indicated that Joshua would lead under authority.  

Some leaders commission themselves and seek authority on their own merits. But serving leaders operate under appropriate authority that blesses them to grow in wisdom. They learn wisdom by being under authority before being in authority.  

For further reflection and discussion:

• Do I have a time in my day that I ‘unplug’ from my leadership role, turn off the news, social media and messages and spend time in the ‘tent’ with God? How does this impact my leadership?
• In what ways have I learned wisdom by observing other leaders? Am I intentionally reflecting on how and what I learn from them? Where possible, have I thanked them for the way their wisdom has helped me as a leader?
• Under whose authority do I lead? How does this help me grow in wisdom? Are there ways I can strengthen this relationship for greater impact?   
• In addition to these reflections from Joshua’s life, consider the following verses that relate to finding wisdom: (Proverbs 1:7, 2:3-6, 3:5-7, 4:7, 9:10, 21:11; Luke 2:52; James 1:5; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9, 2:2-3)       

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how Joshua gained wisdom through failure.