PREPARED FOR LEADERSHIP

Scripture: Number 27:12-23

“So Moses got up, along with Joshua his servant, and went up on the mountain of God.” Exodus 24:13 (ISV)

Everyone who will be successful as a leader has to go through the period of preparation. This is the period when God molds and shapes the leader and deposits the traits and character that will enable him to succeed in his assignment. Anyone who has leadership entrusted on him without going through this process will fail in his leadership role.

BATTLE YOUR AMALEKITES

Scripture: Exodus 17:8-16

“And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nation; but his latter end shall be that he perish forever.” Numbers 24:20 (KJV)

Everyone on earth has enemies. It doesn’t matter what you do or who you are, some people will despise you. Your existence simply annoys them and if they can do something about it, they will. This type of causeless enemy was what the Amalekites were to the Israelites. They attacked the Israelites who had only just come out of Egypt for no just cause (Duet 25:17-18).

TAKE IT BY FORCE

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

“…and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12b (KJV)

God had promised Caleb and his descendants the city of Hebron as an inheritance (Duet. 1:36), yet Caleb did not get it on a platter of gold. First, he had to demand from Joshua to be allocated his inheritance (v12). Then he had to fight the sons of Anak before he could enter into his possession (Jos. 15:13-14). Only after this did he have rest from war (v.15). In this, Caleb typifies the life of every believer as we strive to enter into the rest prepared for us.

YOU ARE CAPABLE

Scripture: Joshua 15:13-19

“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 (KJV)

Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, was about 40 years old when he was chosen from the tribe of Judah to spy out the promise land. The recorded events of his life spans from this period until the days of Joshua as recorded in the book of Joshua. But so important is his story that the Spirit had it repeated again in the opening chapter of the book of Judges (Jdg 1: 12-20). What lesson is the Spirit pointing to in the life of Caleb? It is the attitude of capability in the life of Caleb.

STAND YOUR GROUND

Scripture: Numbers 14:5-10

“Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 (KJV)

What is usually your reaction when you face intense opposition? When you have a contrary view and everyone turns against you and your life is in danger? It is quite easy to go with the multitude and agree with them rather than be the lone voice of opposition. You could easily tell yourself ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God, a million people cannot be wrong’. This has led many to compromise on the truth because they could not bear to stand alone.

A LOST GENERATION

Scripture: Numbers 14:26-38

“A seed shall serve him, It shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.” Psalm 22:30 (KJV)

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The sin of rebellion attracts immediate action from God. Rebellion is a direct attack on the authority of God and he deals with it with his mighty hand. When the people rebelled against God, God’s response was immediate (v.10). But for the intervention of Moses, God wanted to wipe out the entire race and start anew with Moses. For their rebellion, that  generation was cursed never to enter the promise land. Everyone 20 years and above would die in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua. The consequence of their rebellion was a lost and wasted generation.

A MAN LIKE CALEB

Scripture: Joshua 14:6-15

“But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit in him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” Numbers 14:24 (KJV)

Caleb is a shining example of a man who used his position and influence to bring about the desired changes in his life and people. Of the tribe of Judah, God testified of him that he had a different spirit and wholly followed God (Num. 14:24). He was one of the 12 sent to spy the land and he used his influence to steer the people in the right direction.