“When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent” (Exodus 33:11). Among men, greatness is most often determined by outward appearance. It is ascribed to those with depth of knowledge or eloquence of speech. It is recognized according to might or athletic ability. It is deemed in proportion to talent or physical beauty. It is attributed to those of influence or wealth. Greatness is most often judged by an assessment of such external qualities in people and in proportion to the success of their endeavors. Those who crave greatness seek to attain it by distinguishing themselves from their counterparts. They strive to attain high standing through a display of themselves or their achievements, seeking to be looked upon with admiration.

Scripture gives a completely different view of greatness and the means by which it is achieved. In our text, the subject is Joshua, the son of Nun. The period in view is shortly after Israel’s exodus from the land of Egypt, when Joshua was a young man under the leadership of Moses. This is the Joshua who would, by faith, trust in God to give victory against the giants of the land; the Joshua who would, by faith, speak to God so that the sun stood still for an entire day; the Joshua who would, by faith, lead the conquest of the land of Canaan; the Joshua who would be chosen by God to replace Moses as the leader of the nation of Israel. Here we see the wellspring from which flowed Joshua’s future success. We see the beginnings of what would make him a great leader and what, in general, makes for true greatness. In Joshua, we see that true greatness is found in being a servant.

Joshua is here referred to as Moses’ servant. The title in no way serves as a label of inferiority; on the contrary, it is Joshua’s source of greatness and his glory in the sight of God. Christ said, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” (Mark 10:42-44). Greatness in God’s kingdom consists of being a servant; a servant not only of God, but also man. How contrary to man’s view of greatness! In man’s estimation, the great ones should exercise authority, but with God, the great are servants and the greatest are slaves of all! See Joshua’s humility in the matter. He would not take greatness to himself but endeavored to be a faithful servant. He would not be in the camp seeking the praise of man but would attend to the needs of another. In serving Moses, Joshua has given us an example that we should follow. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 4:3-4).

But Joshua was more than a servant of man; he was a servant of the living and true God. The title of servant is applied to God’s people throughout scripture, whether great or small. To the best of them, the title surpasses their just due, and so we are commanded to think by the Lord Himself: “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10). Joshua served God in the tent—the place where Moses would go to meet with God prior to the erection of the Tabernacle; where God would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend. Joshua would accompany Moses to the tent, remaining there even after Moses returned to the camp. He remained most probably to protect the tent from desecration and to devote himself to prayer. He would not depart from the tent, an indication that he spent his nights at this place of God’s special manifestation. His behavior is exemplary, putting the things of God before his own, devoting himself to the service of the true God, and humbling himself in supplication before God. With the Psalmist, he could say, “a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10). Young people would do very well to serve God in the same way; to learn to bear the yoke in their youth; to devote their youthful energies to things pertaining to God; to seek God early before the days come wherein they have no delight.

Not all of us have the opportunity to serve God under a Moses; nor do we all have opportunity to devote all of our service to ministry, but we all have the opportunity to serve God in our every task. Is not our every service ultimately rendered to God? Should not our every labor be done in reverence as unto Him? Therefore, the scriptures say, “Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:22-24). Christ is the One to whom we offer our service. Whether our earthly masters are among the righteous or the wicked, we serve Him. And He is not only the object of our service, but also our pattern and encouragement. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Were any worthy of such service? Did the Son of God owe Himself to any man? Though He was the Son of God, He became a servant of man, even to the point of death. His condescension magnifies His character, and His service to those far below His dignity proves His exceeding greatness. Let us, then, become as Christ and find greatness in being servants.

In all this, let there be a warning in regard to our motivations. Christ said of the Pharisees, “they do all their deeds to be noticed by men” (Matt 23:5), showing us that even when actions are good and religious, the hidden desire behind them may be the praise of men. Paul spoke of those who preached Christ from selfish ambition (Phil 1:17); indeed they preached Christ, and so Paul affirmed, but they did so from false motivations, desiring their own advancement more than that of the gospel. O to be a preacher of the true gospel and found to be apostate in heart! And not only in the pulpit can this be true, but in the pew as well. How terrifying to think that religious hypocrisy can exist in those recognized for faithfulness, generosity, and piety! Therefore, Christ has warned us, saying, “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt 7:22-23). Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed, lest he fall. Let us come to the light so that our deeds may be seen to have been wrought in God (John 3:21). “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31).

Would you be great? Learn to be a servant of the true God, and in your service to Him, serve others. Remember that it is the Lord whom you serve. Remember that we do not serve Him for gain, but we cannot serve Him in vain. He will give manifold more to us in this time, and in the age to come, eternal life. But remember also that the same God is ready to judge the living and the dead, and His fire will test each man’s work. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:28-29).