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Joshua: Applying Wisdom in Strategic Decisions
Issue #401, June 25, 2025
Joshua led Israel through a series of military campaigns to claim the land God had promised to them. But he didn’t rely on military tactics of his experience—he applied wisdom in his decisions, guided by surrender, obedience and adaptability. Though most serving leaders do not lead armies, they can learn powerful strategy lessons from Joshua’s example.
13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” (Joshua 5:13-14, NIV).
13 The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the Lord and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets kept sounding. 14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days (Joshua 6:13-14).
9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon (Joshua 10:9-10).
Joshua applied wisdom by surrender.
Before Joshua carried out his first military action he had an encounter with a man blocking his progress. He asked a natural question of the man but was startled when he responded that he was the “commander of the army of the Lord.” Joshua appropriately surrendered! Before he commanded, he surrendered. This was not weakness; it was wisdom.
Many leaders assume that they are in charge and call others to follow. They charge ahead and sometimes ask God to bless their plans. But serving leaders surrender to a higher command. That surrender makes them better commanders.
Joshua applied wisdom by obedient risk taking.
Joshua’s surrender was critical when God gave what seems like foolish and unconventional directions for the battle at Jericho. But Joshua took the risk of moving forward in obedience. He marched around the city for 6 days, then 7 times on the final day, finally giving a united shout. He risked looking foolish losing everything on his first battle!
Some leaders move forward only when the strategy is logical and clear. But serving leaders are willing to take risks of obedience when they have received instructions from God.
Joshua applied wisdom by embracing change.
After demonstrating obedience, Joshua still had to learn to embrace change. When Joshua marched around Jericho it took a week. But when he attacked the coalition of kings who were against the Gibeonites, he employed an overnight march and took them by surprise. In many other situations, Joshua embraced change and used different tactics at God’s instruction. He refused to fall into the trap of believing that what worked previously should become the standard practice. He was able and willing to pivot and try new methods.
Some leaders find ways that work and then refuse to consider changes. But serving leaders are willing to consider new ways of accomplishing the mission. Their surrender to God’s instruction is the foundation from which they make decisions.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Have I fully surrendered to the authority of God to direct my life and leadership? What does this look like in my daily leadership practices?
- Do I naturally take or avoid risks? How does that impact my leadership? Am I willing to take risks when I clearly hear God’s instruction? What do I do to ensure that I’m able to accurately hear God’s direction?
- When is the last time I tried a new approach in my leadership? How open am I to change? How do I determine when change is healthy and when it is a distraction?
- In addition to these reflections from Joshua’s life, consider the following examples of his military strategy as well as some from Proverbs: Joshua 6:1-27; 8:1-13; 11:1-9; Proverbs 15:22; 16:3, 9; 24:6
Until next time, yours on the journey,
Jon Byler
In the next issue, we’ll examine how Joshua employed wisdom in times of division. |
