STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

“And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” – Joshua 3:5

Joshua demonstrated STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP at Jordan and other occasions: “And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Jos.3:5). His strategic leadership was marked by a reliance on God's guidance, thorough preparation, daring obedience, and a focus on holiness. Hs strategic approaches derived from divine counsel, understanding that success is a result of obedience and God's power, and acting with faith-filled courage.

Joshua's actions illustrate the blending of strategic leadership principles, practical planning, divine guidance, and faith. 

Preparation and Consecration: Joshua called for spiritual and physical preparation, telling the people to "sanctify” or “purify” themselves for God’s manifest wonders (v.5). This highlights the need for leaders to prepare their teams (and themselves) for the challenges ahead, fostering a mindset of readiness and reliance on God's power.

Trusting Divine Direction: He consistently sought God's counsel on how to lead the people, knowing that true wisdom came from God. He learnt to listen to the Lord for direction, rather than relying solely on human tactics or intuition (vv.7-8).

Prioritizing God's Presence: Central to his strategy was ensuring the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's Presence, led the way (v.6). Joshua instructed the people to follow the Ark, maintaining a specific distance, so they would know which path to take into the unknown territory, thus emphasizing the significance of keeping the mission centered on God's guidance.

Clear Communication: Joshua was clear in his communication, giving specific, actionable instructions to the officers, priests, and the people, explaining the “why” behind the instructions in order to ensure clarity, and unity of purpose (vv.5-6, 12-13).

Leading by Faith and Action: The priests were to step into the Jordan while it was at flood stage, before the water parted. This "feet wet" leadership illustrates the need for leaders to take the first step of faith to activate divine intervention (vv.15-16).

Building Team Unity and Morale: The shared experience of the miracle, the collective action of crossing, and the subsequent instruction to set up a memorial, fostered unity and built the nation's faith in both God and Joshua's leadership (Jos.4:1-7).

Focus on God's Glory, Not Personal Exaltation: God promised to "exalt" Joshua in the eyes of all Israel (v.7). The humble, strategic leader however directed attention to the ultimate Source of Power and Authority – “the Living God” (v.10).

Strategic leadership was also evident in the conquests of Jericho and Ai (Joshua 6 & 8). Joshua constantly sought and followed God's specific instructions for battles, a strategy that preceded any human planning. He learned that past victories did not guarantee future ones, as seen with the defeat at Ai, which was a direct result of the people's complacency after Jericho. His victories were the result of obedience, from the unconventional tactics at Jericho to strategically preparing the ambush at Ai.