Month: July 2025

Issue #403, July 23, 2025

Joshua’s leadership work was nearly done.  The land was divided, and the people were settled. But before he died, he used wisdom to cast a vision for the next generation.   

¹⁴ “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” …. ²⁵On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he reaffirmed for them decrees and laws. ²⁶And Joshua recorded these things in the Book of the Law of God. Then he took a large stone and set it up there under the oak near the holy place of the LORD. ²⁷“See!” he said to all the people. “This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God.” ²⁸Then Joshua dismissed the people, each to their own inheritance (Joshua 24:14-15, 25-28 NIV).

In his final leadership action, Joshua casts a vision for the Israelites to renew their commitment to follow God.  He does this with wisdom in three powerful ways.

Joshua used wisdom to cast vision by recalling the past. 

Joshua recalls their history. He spends much of his farewell address reminding them of the ways that God has led them to the place they now are.  He shares the stories of the past to provide vision for the future. He wisely links future vision to past events. 

Some leaders only look to the future and paint a glorious picture of what can be with no connection to the past. But serving leaders link future vision to the stories that brought them here. They find vision from the past and project that forward into an even better future. They remind the people they lead that they are rooted in what has come before. 

Joshua used wisdom to cast vision by setting a personal example.

Joshua called the people to recommit themselves to following God and then made his well-known declaration, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” He wisely leads by example. He will pursue the vision no matter what the choice of the people is. This commitment and personal engagement is a strong motivation to the people and they also agree to serve the Lord.

Some leaders call others to a high level of commitment, but they don’t get personally involved. They ask others to pay a price they are unwilling to pay. But serving leaders cast vision by their own action. They move before calling others to move. 

Joshua used wisdom to cast vision by using visual reminders.

Joshua set up “a large stone” as a visual reminder of the commitment they were making. He wanted them to recall their commitment every time they walked past this stone. He wisely understood that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Some leaders rely only on words, hoping that repetition will make the vision stick. But serving leaders add visual reminders to the vision. They paint word pictures; they share stories and give examples that help the vision to stick in the hearts and minds of those they lead. They stir their hearts before asking for their hands.

For further reflection and discussion:

• When I share vision, how do I root it in the past? Even when significant changes are needed, have I found ways to look at the past to help articulate the way forward?
• In what ways do I model the vision I ask others to work towards? Can I consistently invite people to follow my example? What impact does that have on my leadership?
• How do I help people visualize the vision? Are there physical objects that I could use to remind people of the vision as Joshua did? Do I tell stories and give personal examples that bring the vision to life? What other ways can I help connect people’s emotions to the vision? 
• In addition to these reflections above from Joshua’s life, read all of Joshua 23 and 24. Reflect on how he wisely used his farewell speech and covenant renewal to project a vision for the future. What do I learn from his example that I can apply to my own leadership?       

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

Issue #402, July 9, 2025

Few things need wisdom like trying to divide an inheritance among siblings! Joshua faced this on a national scale as he led the Israelites through the process of dividing up the land into tribal portions.  Joshua employed wisdom in this potentially explosive moment and offers serving leaders practical wisdom for navigating divisive situations.

⁴ Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me. ⁵ You are to divide the land into seven parts. Judah is to remain in its territory on the south and the tribes of Joseph in their territory on the north. ⁶ After you have written descriptions of the seven parts of the land, bring them here to me and I will cast lots for you in the presence of the Lord our God (Joshua 18:4-6, NIV).

Joshua employed wisdom by involving everyone.

Joshua instructed the people, “Appoint three men from each tribe.” He involved the people in selecting the leaders who would divide the land into parts. Every tribe had equal representation. Every man carried with him the mandate to get the best portion for their tribe! Joshua wisely created a process in which no one was excluded.

Some leaders face divisive issues and make decisions using their own experience and expertise. But serving leaders recognize that divisive issues require inclusive practices. They wisely pull key people into the decision-making process, ensuring that all voices will be heard.

Joshua employed wisdom by delegating authority.

Joshua gave authority to the men who were chosen, “you are to divide….” Their work was to survey the remaining land and divide it into portions that were equal in value. Undoubtedly, as they traveled through the land they were carefully observing what areas had fertile soil, good pastureland, and fortified cities. Every man was carefully looking at what they wanted but also aware that another tribe might get it, so they chose carefully.  In addition, Joshua selected three people to ensure broader representation and that there would not be a tie vote. By wisely delegating the process, Joshua ensured that no one could accuse him of favoritism.

Some leaders fear that the delegation of authority in a divisive issue will create more problems so they delegate less. But serving leaders wisely find ways to delegate authority that creates better outcomes and group support for the process.

Joshua employed wisdom by retaining decision-making power.

While Joshua involved everyone in choosing the leaders and delegated authority to the leaders in dividing the land, he took charge of the final step in the process. “I will cast lots for you….” Under God’s guidance, he would make the final decisions. He recognized that even with the careful process of dividing the land into 7 portions, if he allowed the leaders to choose, there would be more dispute over who received which portion.

Some leaders abdicate their ultimate responsibility to make final decisions and allow others to selfishly influence the outcomes. But serving leaders recognize that after involving people appropriately, they are responsible for making the decision that best serves the vision and mission of the organization. Then, like Joshua, they employ wisdom from God and decide. 

 Serving leaders employ wisdom to turn potential division into unity. 

For further reflection and discussion:

• Reflect on a leadership decision which you are currently facing that is potentially divisive. With that situation in mind, reflect on the three ways Joshua used wisdom (he involved everyone, he delegated authority, and he retained decision-making power). What can you learn from his example and what will you do to lead with wisdom through this situation?

Reflect on Joshua’s decision to allow the leaders to divide the land into 7 portions. What might have happened if Joshua had divided the land without their involvement? What can you learn from this about delegating authority? 

In addition to these reflections from Joshua’s life, consider the following verses from Proverbs that relate to employing wisdom in divisive issues.  Proverbs 6:16-19; 13:10; 15:1, 18; 16:23-24, 28; 17:14; 18:6, 17; 19:11; 29:22.        

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll look at how Joshua used wisdom in casting vision.