A survey was once taken asking employers what makes a good apprentice. Their response was that they seek to hire “someone who wants to learn.”
In the Bible, we see a good example of an apprentice in Joshua. We usually remember Joshua for marching around the wall of Jericho (Joshua 6; Hebrews 11:30), but he also had some important responsibilities as a spy (Numbers 13:16) and as a warrior (Exodus 17:10).
For 40 years, he was in the shadow of Moses — and in that time, Joshua served as Moses’ assistant, aide, and apprentice (Exodus 24:13).
The lesson for us is that God takes His own time in preparing us for service. Sometimes the period of waiting is as valuable as learning all the needed strategies and goals.
For example, Joshua observed Moses’ faith in God. He learned what it meant to be humble (Numbers 12:3), how to take instruction (Exodus 17:10), and how to be a true servant of God (Joshua 1:1-7; Joshua 24:29). Even a display of Moses’ temper (Numbers 20:7-12), was an opportunity to watch and learn. By spending time with Moses, Joshua learned things that couldn’t possibly be learned from a book.
Joshua’s own time to lead was coming, and when it came, he was able to trust God’s promise to him. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Beloved, is God preparing us to be a Joshua today? Only time will tell.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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In the Bible, we see a good example of an apprentice in Joshua. We usually remember Joshua for marching around the wall of Jericho (Joshua 6; Hebrews 11:30), but he also had some important responsibilities as a spy (Numbers 13:16) and as a warrior (Exodus 17:10).
For 40 years, he was in the shadow of Moses — and in that time, Joshua served as Moses’ assistant, aide, and apprentice (Exodus 24:13).
The lesson for us is that God takes His own time in preparing us for service. Sometimes the period of waiting is as valuable as learning all the needed strategies and goals.
For example, Joshua observed Moses’ faith in God. He learned what it meant to be humble (Numbers 12:3), how to take instruction (Exodus 17:10), and how to be a true servant of God (Joshua 1:1-7; Joshua 24:29). Even a display of Moses’ temper (Numbers 20:7-12), was an opportunity to watch and learn. By spending time with Moses, Joshua learned things that couldn’t possibly be learned from a book.
Joshua’s own time to lead was coming, and when it came, he was able to trust God’s promise to him. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Beloved, is God preparing us to be a Joshua today? Only time will tell.
—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets
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