Moonlit Leadership: Joshua Vs. Moses

Joshua was a great leader for the people compared to Moses, because in the article “Moonlit leadership: a midrashic reading of Joshua's success” by Hayyim Angel, it explains how it could have “been difficult for the people trust the ever-resolute Moses. Although the elders may have complained that "Moses is like the sun, Joshua like the moon"” What it means by that is, Moses was superior over everyone that no one could even look at him, so he had to wear a veil. Moses was able to speak with God face to face but the people were not allowed to speak to Moses face to face. “Moses’ unparalleled awe of God was so great that he simply could not fathom why his people did not trust God.” This was ironic because Moses had such an incomparable faith …show more content…
For example, Moses was a lawgiver, he only told the people the laws and to follow them. While Joshua on the other hand, makes speeches to the people to be obedient to the laws, as instructed by God. It is explained well in by Leuchter and Lamb in “Joshua”, stating, “Joshua uses a variety of tactics to compel the people to be more obedient. He reviews what YHWH has done for them, gives them a direct command to serve Yahweh, tells them to make a choice, speaks of his own family’s example, uses reverse psychology, and finally he sets up a witness stone that will somehow testify against them if they don’t obey throughout the book of Joshua. In response to Joshua’s exhortations to obey the law of Moses, the people of Israel agree initially, they listen willingly, and they commit enthusiastically.” He is able to speak with the people and they willingly listen to him because they were able to connect to him. Similar to Moses being the sun, and Joshua being the moon. The people were never able to see Moses face-to-face so it was hard for them to trust him. While Joshua was able to talk to them face-to-face and connect with them because they were able to see his