“So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua…”

So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up ^linto the mountain of God.

Exodus 24:13

Here’s an example of a “cleaned-up” version of my morning time with the Lord. 🙂

In Exodus 24:2, God commands Moses to ascend Mount Sinai alone to meet with Him. While Joshua isn’t explicitly mentioned in the initial command (Exodus 24:1), the broader context reveals his role. He’s assisting Moses and leading the Israelite warriors (Exodus 17:9, 14). This seemingly small detail points to a significant principle: God desires His people to develop as leaders, ensuring a smooth transition of responsibility to the next generation. Evidence of this intentional leadership development is seen in Exodus 17:14: “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua.”

This passage lends itself to a broader conversation and provides some key principles for disciple-making.

• First, leaders are entrusted with specific, non-delegable tasks (Exodus 24:2). While Joshua went with Moses, Moses alone was permitted to come near to God. Sometimes, you can take the person you disciple with you, but you need to take care of business, not them.

Moses alone shall come near to the Lord, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him.

Exodus 24:2

• Second, leaders must intentionally disciple emerging leaders (Exodus 17:14; Exodus 18:17-21). In general, believers should disciple other believers. I was talking with a brother the other day, and he said, “We don’t really have to ask the Lord if He wants us to disciple others. He’s already told us!” The same is true of leaders. If we want healthy leaders, we must be intentional about asking the Lord who has these characteristics and disciple them toward growing in this way.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 

Exodus 17:14

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone….Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

exodus 18:17-21

• Third, leaders should pass on relevant and applicable history to their disciples. This knowledge transfer equips future leaders with wisdom and understanding. How often have you thought, “Well, if I’d known about that tidbit of history, I wouldn’t have made that mistake!” I’ve done it plenty!
• Finally, effective leadership development involves modeling godly behavior within a close relationship with the Lord, demonstrating practical application rather than mere theory (Exodus 33:11). While God specifically called Moses up the mountain, Joshua’s presence and role suggest he was an implied guest. Make the potential leader you are discipling your ‘implied guest.’ Ask them to do ministry with you. Watch as they lead.

My prayer for you is the same one I wrote during my quiet time, as the Lord taught me this morning:

“Lord, thank you for these lessons. Please help me to walk in them. I want to do better modeling what You teach me. Help me lead and teach with patience and grace. Amen!”