In the opening of the book of Joshua, the Lord declares to the people, “Moses my servant is dead.” This was an obvious statement, but one that needed to be made. Moses had led the people of Israel for over forty years, and now there would come a time of change. Their circumstances and challenges would be different, and this would require a change of leadership.
Moses led as a pastor who guided and fed the sheep. The burden of the people quickly became his burden, and he willingly laid down his life for them. Moses was a true shepherd. The good shepherd Jesus said, “He gives His life for the sheep.”
Now would come a time of transition. The new era would require a commander of the people. They needed someone who would lead them into the Promised Land. The new leader would have to be someone like Joshua who had been a military leader. The new leader would be one who would challenge them to accept the responsibility to take possession of the promises of God. “We are like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
This is an interesting verse because it is very true that people will see us as we see ourselves. If you see yourself as a grasshopper before your enemies, then they will certainly sense your fear and apprehension. Joshua and Caleb were of a different spirit than the rest. When Joshua and Caleb saw the giants, they saw a spiritual dinner (Numbers 14:6-10).
Joshua and Caleb stood for the truth but were rejected by the people. I am sure it was very disappointing that the people could not see what they saw. Yet, God had Joshua and Caleb reserved for another day. They would one day be in a position to lead, but the time was not yet. They had to be prepared for another day. Perhaps, even this rejection was a part of their training.
As I share this word of the New Day, I know there are many God has prepared for this time, to be a part of the training of others. You may have even been through a time of rejection. God wants you to know this is just a part of your training; but in this day, be bold and strong for the Lord is calling you for such a time as this. Joshua and Caleb didn’t respond the way Moses did nor the way the people did, but the time would come when this experience would be revealed as them having the spirit necessary for the New Day.
Isaiah 55 says that the word goes forth as “bread for the eater and seed for the sower.” To me, this means that sometimes the word will come and bring a sense of nourishment and satisfaction. This is the bread for the eater. Other times, the word will come and will plant something in us that will grow over time. These “seed for the sower” words will stick in our spirit, and we will know it is something we are to hold on to and nourish for another day.
A few years ago the Lord spoke to me once again that it was time for the Joshua generation to rise up. I said, “Lord, I said these things twenty years ago; and although there was a great movement and a confirming word, nothing really of substance happened.” This was when the Lord gave me a new perspective on what He was going to do.
When the Lord called Joshua to his full call, it would be after forty years of serving under Moses. Moses laid hands on him and conferred his mantle of leadership on Joshua.
I realized at this point, that the Joshua generation was not the people who go in and possess the land; but they are the leaders God would prepare to take the younger generation into the land. Joshua and Caleb stood for God and showed themselves to be of a different spirit than their generation. God called them as leaders for the next move. I believe there are many people who are being prepared by God to lead this next generation. God has put it in their hearts not just to move forward in God, but to lead others in.
This generation of leadership was trained through the “Moses leadership,” but for this move a whole new leadership mindset is necessary.
People do not easily accept change. Leadership that initiates the change must be strong and able to handle adversity. When Moses went to deliver them, the people were not willing participants because of the brokenness of their spirits. Although not necessarily willing to be delivered, the Lord brought the children of Israel out with a mighty hand. Moses was the vessel of God’s miraculous provision. When it came time to go into the Promised Land, the people had to be willing to fight for themselves. This required a new focus for the leadership.
Like the children of Israel as they approached the Promised Land, we must understand God’s plan includes a blessing for us, but also a challenge. Moses always confronted the challenges faced by the people and offered relief with divine assistance. Joshua would now come forth as a new leader who would encourage the people to face their challenges. Joshua sought the Lord for the divine strategies, but the people had to take possession of the inheritance God had for them.
This is the difference between an apostolic leader and a pastoral leader. This is leadership that will take the people where they need to go, not just where they want to go. The Joshua generation of leaders will be strong in their commitment to God and strong in their exhortation to the people to fully follow what God has for them.
Excerpt from “The New Awakening” by Loren R. Covarrubias.