It’s a good thing our church records services—it’s a convenience for people who can’t be there or who want to revisit a concept, but it also helps people like me who get sidetracked on a thought and chase it down the trail during the service. Recently, that happened when the sermon referenced the book of Exodus, and I noticed a verse I marked long ago, Exodus 33:11.
That’s not exactly a scripture from the wall décor or coffee mug aisle. It’s simply part of the narrative about Moses getting the plan from God for the Israelites to move on from their location: “Thus the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun would not leave the tent.”
Mention Joshua, and people may think of the miraculous Jordan River crossing or the walls of Jericho crashing down. This verse, though, reminds us that before Joshua took over after Moses’ death, he was faithful. He was one of just two spies, out of 12 sent to check out the Promised Land, who believed God would help them get the job done. He waited patiently for Moses on the Mt. Sinai trip, during which the people got tired of waiting and decided to worship a golden calf. Joshua had also led the army in battle against the Amalekites.
When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting for instructions from God, Joshua was on duty at the door, and he apparently kept an eye on that special place when Moses was not there. Some scholars believe he was entrusted with that duty because he was one of the few who did not engage in the idol worship. It seems like a simple job, not highly visible like leading the army, but Joshua apparently took it seriously. In fact, I like to think that while Moses was in the tent hearing directly from God, Joshua was praying for him.
Joshua knew the importance of prayer, having seen the battle with Amalek turn in Israel’s favor as long as Aaron and Hur helped Moses hold his hands up in prayer. That battle story and the tent verse inspired my dad and some other men in his church to form teams of two and take turns spending the Sunday morning service time in a small room near the sanctuary. There they prayed for the pastor as he gave the sermon, that he would deliver exactly what God wanted the people to hear and be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Years later, at my dad’s memorial service, that pastor told our assembled friends and family how much it meant to him to know there were men of faith supporting him in prayer as he preached and conducted the altar time following the service.
Christians in leadership, whether pastoral, missions, or serving in business or government, need our prayers now more than ever as they listen to God’s voice, make decisions, and encourage those they lead. Those of us in less visible positions must be faithful to pray for them. Just as Joshua was being prepared to assume leadership, we can learn while we pray and be ready to do whatever God directs, but in the meantime, stay faithful at the tent!
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