Moses and Joshua Mentoring Relationships

Introduction 

One man who experienced the dynamic mentorship of Moses was Joshua. While he is best known for his leading the Israelites into victory at the battle of Jericho and the ensuing possession of the Promised Land, the legacy of Joshua really begins as a young man who was under the mentorship of Moses. All legacies begin with mentorship. You can only leave behind what you first receive. Under the leadership of Moses. Joshua learned how to serve, fight, and become a great leader himself. This all started through a dynamic mentoring relationship.

Discussion

Mentoring Relationship

Joshua was considered an extremely close fellow and mentee of Moses. In Numbers 11:28, a fascinating discovery is made when one sees that Joshua, “the servant of Moses” was “one of (Moses') young men.” He was not the only spiritual son of Moses; Moses had other protégés who were serving him and learning under his leadership. Again, we see that the concept of spiritual fathers and sons was a dominating theme of the Bible. God expected every one of his people to be fathered and mentored (Hastings, pp.80). As this concept emerges hack into society, we will see great progress in our families, businesses, and churches. This relationship helped Joshua to build his character spiritually and pass on the teaching that he was taught from Moses.

The mentorship relation between Moses and Joshua can be expounded through the process of selection, association, correction, delegation, succession, and delegation.

Selection

Moses selected Joshua as his best mentee. Although Moses had other, not one of them is mentioned like Joshua. Joshua rises above his peers and becomes God's sole choice to become Moses' successor. To receive such an honored position. Joshua must have served Moses more faithfully, listened more closely, and followed more intensely than his peers. Something made him stand out from among the crowd (Alter, pp.45). That “something” was the same mystery that made Esther stand out to Mordecia, Ruth stands out to Naomi, Elisha stands out to Elijah, and Timothy stands out to Paul. It's the “something” that causes one apprentice to be promoted while another is fired. It is the “something” that gives one person a raise while another is demoted. It is the something that makes every achiever stands out from among the crowd of mediocrity.

Association

Many young men associated with Moses but only Joshua ascended to Moses' status. Later, he would even surpass his mentor as he brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. Association with a mentor should always result in ascension. If your relationship is not bringing you higher, something is wrong. But before the protégé blames the mentor for lack of progress, he must look inward. Joshua did what the other young men didn't do, thus, receiving a greater reward. He had that “something” that made him stand out (Weatherford, pp. 89).

 By associating with Moses, Joshua learned how to be a fighter. He wasn't afraid to fight on behalf of his mentor and his people. Moses had the same ...