76. Leadership Secrets: 11. Joshua: Take care of your people
Last week we read that Joshua had to do the work in order to succeed. It's not just ordering people around and sitting on the behind.
This week, we look at another lesson from the life of Joshua.
Joshua chapter 10 talks about how the Amorites planned to attack the Gibeonites for allying themselves with the Israelites. When the Gibeonites heard this they went to Joshua for help.
Joshua 10: 6-10 says,
6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.”
7 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 8 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.”
9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise.
10 The Lordthrew them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah.
As a leader, Joshua took care of his people.
What is your experience? Do your leaders take care of their team members? Defend the work they do? Defend their stands? Their people?
Are you a leader? Do you look after your people?
Who do you think makes a better leader? One who stands by you and behind you or one who lets you go into battle on your own while he stays a safe distance away?