Being a man is hard. I know that we often get lovingly chastised about our "man-colds" and such. Still, when you consider the calling of biblical masculinity, you must be overwhelmed with such an esteemed duty. In my feeble attempts to live according to God's standard of masculinity, I find biblical examples to be of much help. Consider the great Old Testament figure, Joshua. You probably know his story: He was the right-hand man of Moses through the wilderness journey and became the leader of God's people as they entered the Promised Land.
In Joshua’s commission as the leader of the nation of Israel, God calls Joshua to be “strong and courageous” (Josh 1:9). When we consider the enormous task that Joshua has before him, that call seems daunting. Joshua is leading God's people into a real - physical and spiritual - battlefield. Yet, Joshua has all that he needs for success. He has the Word of the Lord (Josh 1:1), and the promise of His continual presence (Josh 1:5). As men in battle, we possess the same means: the written Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17) and the presence of the Holy Spirit with us and in us (1 Cor. 3:16).
So, what is the battlefield of masculinity? Reforming Men pinpoints four critical points of battle: our personal piety, our marriages, our homes, and our churches. Let’s walk through these separately and use Joshua as a figure to imitate.
In Our Personal Piety
Before we execute the call of biblical masculinity in any other sphere, we must watch our own lives. This means that we continually seek the face of the Lord. In Exodus 33:11, we find Moses leaving the "tent of meeting" and returning to the people of God. Now, this "tent of meeting" was outside of the camp. The pillar of cloud representing the presence of God rested upon this tabernacle. Still, in Exodus 33:11, we are told that Moses left the tent, but Joshua would not depart from it. This is not to say that Joshua was holier than Moses or desired the presence of the Lord more than his mentor. Still, helps us understand that Joshua found much satisfaction and help from being in the presence of the Almighty. The Psalmist writes, "The nearness of God is my good" (Ps. 73:28). Joshua believed that wholeheartedly, and so should you.
Men, do you understand that we have it better than Joshua? We do not have to retreat to the city's outskirts to meet with God; we meet with Him each time we open our Bibles and pray. We have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God and access to these ordinary means of grace everywhere. So, spend time with Him. Seek His face. Be men of the Word and be men of prayer. Say alongside the Psalmist, "The nearness of God is my good."
In Our Marriage
Many scholars and historical rabbis argue that Joshua married Rahab, the innkeeper of Jericho. I wonder if I'm ready to take a position on this since the scriptures are silent on the details of Joshua's family. Still, we do know that he was the head of a household. In Joshua 24, Joshua summoned the leaders of Israel (elders, heads, judges, officers) to Shechem for covenant renewal. There, Joshua calls the people to give up idolatry and worship the Lord. In that covenant renewal, he says, “Choose this day who you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15). This is not hyperbolic: Joshua is the head of his household, and he commits to lead his house in righteousness.
Joshua understands the weight of this promise. He knows the attraction of idolatry and the draw to live in the world's ways, but his heart is steadfast in the ways of the Lord. As men, it would be easy to give in to the allures of our culture. There is a sinful attraction to the trappings of the world that we must fight against. It would be simple for us, as men, to avoid committing to be godly husbands. Yet, we cannot give ourselves over to our wicked desires. We must have the same resolve as Joshua to lead our wives and children in obedience to Christ.
In Our Homes
Now consider the call of biblical masculinity as we lead our children. Again, the scriptures are silent concerning the number of children fathered by Joshua. However, that does not negate Joshua’s commitment to the next generations. You might remember Joshua leading Israel across the dry ground of the Jordan River. In Joshua 4, after all the people had crossed into the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to build a memorial of twelve stones in Jericho. These memorial stones would be a reminder that God had given His people the Land of Promise. Specifically, it would be a teaching illustration for future generations. The Lord says, "'When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So, these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever’” (Josh 4:6-7).
Joshua heard and obeyed the voice of the Lord. He was steadfast in pointing children to the works and promises of God. Again, we have it better than Joshua. As fathers, we do not point to a pile of stones to tell our children of God's love, provision, and promises. No, we point to the cross and empty tomb of our Savior, Jesus. There is no greater means of telling our children of God's condescension and love for His people. We point the coming generations to the person and work of Jesus and boldly declare to them the magnificent and sovereign deliverance of our Lord.
In Our Church
As men, we are called to serve and lead the local church. That might be as a Sunday school teacher, sound technician, or church officer. Yet, no matter our specific calling, we have a duty to serve and lead faithfully in the local church. I do not think I am saying anything that you have not already realized, but serving and leading in the local church grows more daunting as the world around us increases in wickedness. But, like Joshua, our eyes must focus on enjoying and honoring Christ despite the obstacles.
In Numbers 13, Moses sent twelve men to spy on Jericho—Joshua was among them. Upon their return, Joshua and his friend Caleb were fully convinced that Israel would conquer the land through the power of God. Joshua remembered the promises of God, saw the obstacle, and had his eye on the prize. However, the other ten spies saw only obstacles to obedience. The fortified cities and mighty warriors in the Promised Land scared the ten spies to death. Still, Joshua implored the Israelites to rely on God, and that the inheritance would be theirs.
In the local church, God has promised to increase His Kingdom through the ordinary means of grace. Of course, intimidating obstacles stand in our way. We are tempted to be inventive in ministry or, even worse, to slump down in fear of the world around us. But, as men, we must implore the people not to shrink back. We must appeal to the church to be faithful and obedient, knowing the promise of the Lord’s inheritance.