My Dear Shepherds,

When I was in college, I began to think I might have the makings of a pastor. I’d sung in scores of churches and preached a little, so I was comfortable up front. I liked church life, what I knew of it. I was “good with people.” Then God graciously said no. Wasn’t the time.

If anyone had the makings of a spiritual leader it was Joshua. He had been Moses’ aide since his youth (Num. 11:28). He led the newly liberated Israelites into their first battle under the upraised staff of Moses. He’d accompanied Moses up Mt. Sinai to receive God’s law and had often joined Moses in the Tent of Meeting, staying there even when Moses departed. As one of the twelve spies Joshua was devastated at the stubborn unbelief of his countrymen. Near the end of Moses’ life …

Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. (Num. 27:15-19 ESV)

All of Joshua’s years of experience still required one key quality. Deuteronomy 34:9 says that Joshua “was filled with the spirit [Spirit] of wisdom.” I cannot imagine God ever calling any of us to shepherd his people without endowing us with a miraculous measure of his wisdom. God’s sheep are too precious for him to leave us to our own devices! But we don’t get wisdom the way the scarecrow suddenly got a brain.

The wisdom God gives his shepherds is a miraculous capacity to weave together our knowledge of Scripture, life experiences, the counsel of others, the fruit of the Spirit, and patient, thoughtful prayer, all in the service of God’s flock.

Joshua had spent half a century watching Moses. He’d seen the wisdom of a man “more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” He’d seen Moses consistently pursue God’s will and had seen how, “The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” And Joshua had seen Moses plead for God’s mercy when Israel’s sins warranted their destruction. Surely the pinnacle of wisdom is to intercede for God’s grace! Wisdom is borne of humility, intimacy with God, and earnest intercession for God’s people.

On Joshua’s first day on the job, God reminded him, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it” (Josh. 1:8). The Torah taught Joshua the love and logic of the LORD, “the compassionate and gracious God.” Likewise, Scripture schools us in the counterintuitive ways of God. The Word embeds the language, imagery, sensibilities, and experience necessary to lead wisely, to love well, and to pray with faith.

But more, for the Spirit of wisdom given to us is the very presence of Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” He welcomes us into his Tent of Meeting. If we are not headstrong and hasty, but rather patient, thoughtful, loving, and prayerful, we will bless and lead our people wisely.

Be ye glad!

Lee Eclov recently retired after 40 years of local pastoral ministry and now focuses on ministry among pastors. He writes a weekly devotional for preachers on Preaching Today.