In a series of posts, I want to discuss what we can learn about leadership from Joshua ben Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim, which would become known as the most militaristic of the tribes of Israel through Joshua's campaigns. If this is the first post in the series you have read please do a quick review of the 30 March, 2009 blog titled “Joshua's lessons on leadership - Intro”; that post highlights why I am looking into Joshua’s life.
In the last entry, I discussed the importance of “Inner Strength”. In this post, Joshua shows us “Results Matter”.
Winston Churchill said, “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” Results matter and for the leader, the ability to demonstrate results is a force multiplier. People trust a leader that gets it done. Joshua illuminates this principal during one of the more famous stories in his life - the Battle at Jericho.
Ancient Jericho is located at Tell es-Sultan, next to an abundant spring on the western edge of the Jordan Valley, just north of the Dead Sea. The site’s water supply and climate have made it a desirable place to live from the very beginning of settled habitation. A Neolithic settlement at the site goes back to about 8000 BC, making Jericho the world’s oldest city.
The site is strategically located. From Jericho you have access to the heartland of Canaan. Any military force attempting to penetrate the central hill country from the east would first have to capture Jericho. Therefore, Joshua must conquer and hold Jericho for the tribes of Israel to move into their new home.
Joshua comes into the battle with a great track record. Recall from the post on 13 April that he lead an important victory early in his career. Then he was picked by the legendary leader of the tribes to bring the wandering population into their new homes. He had also just led important victories against the King of Heshbon and the King of Bashan; these two cities lay just east of the Jordan river and their capture allowed the tribes to have a protected launching point for crossing into their desired homeland. Finally, right before the battle, he led the people to cross the Jordan River during a time of year when it should have been at flood stage, yet all got across safely.
Joshua would need this track record because he asked his army to do something unexpected. Joshua had in inspiration of how the Battle of Jericho would be fought. “We will march around the city once with all the armed men and do this for six days. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."
Let me put this in perspective. The Siege of Antioch took place during the First Crusade from October 21, 1097, to June 2, 1098. During those eight months battle engines were created, raised up against the walls and destroyed, hundreds of sorties were attempted; the crusaders were under continuous surprise attack. In the winter months, they ran out of food and ate bark, drank the blood of their animals, suffered disease and famine. In general, a siege of a walled city was really hard work and it lasted a long time with intense suffering on both the besieged and the attackers.
So I can only imagine the reaction of Joshua’s generals when he laid out his plan, “Guys, you will not have to fight and the siege will only last seven days – seriously”. The generals look at Joshua and then look up at the walls of Jericho.
An earthen barricade surrounded Jericho with a stone retaining wall at its base. The retaining wall was 12–15 feet high. On top of that was a wall six feet thick and about 20–26 feet high. At the crest of the barricade was a similar wall whose base was roughly 46 feet above the ground level outside the retaining wall. This is what loomed high above the Israelites as they marched around the city each day for seven days. Humanly speaking, it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable stronghold of Jericho.
They looked back at Joshua, “Seriously guys, I am just saying that if we do this and then blow a horn and shout the walls will come down”. Without a track record of results, I imagine Joshua’s generals looking at each other and raising their eyebrows. Maybe one or two who are complete sycophants say, “Yes!! That is a great plan”. Then the rest grumble to each other, “OK, the river is one thing, but shout at the walls and they fall down? Let’s humor poor Joshua for seven days and then we can build our real siege plan”
Yet, the army followed his command; they were following a man who had delivered increasingly difficult results. For six days marching and not attacking or even threatening the city probably lulled the defenders. A change in pattern on the seventh day should have alerted the defenders. The silent marchers appeared as before, but this time marched around the city seven times. This completed, they turned toward the walls and the priests leading the column each blew a ram's horn and the multitude shouted. At this, the walls fell. This created an easy slope up the earthen embankment between the inner and outer city walls, allowing the army easy access to an impenetrable city. No description is given of resistance, only of results, “every man charged straight in, and they took the city and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it”
Joshua had an inspiration and asked his army to follow. Without a track record of results would they have followed the plan he outlined? Maybe or maybe not. However it was far easier for them to follow with confidence and energy knowing their leader usually got it done. Results matter - not just for the mission today, but also for the mission tomorrow.
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