Yehoshua’s Playbook: Effective Strategies for Personal and Collective Success

Yehoshua 2:1-24

When reading the Haftorah, the obvious question arises: why does Yehoshua send spies to check out the city of Yericho and its environs? Did he not remember the national fiasco that occurred the last time spies were sent? For the thirty-eight years following the original mission sent by Moshe, the Jewish nation wandered in the desert, condemned to die there and ultimately denied entry into the Land of Israel. And now Yehoshua sends spies? What is he thinking and what lessons can we learn from the Yehoshua’s approach?

The mefarshim highlight several differences between Moshe’s spies and Yehoshua’s spies. Whereas Moshe’s spies were named, suggesting a personal agenda in the mission, Yehoshua’s spies are sent off with a sense of anonymity - because the mission isn’t about them, but rather the task at hand. Additionally, the instructions for Moshe’s spies were broad and sweeping, covering various aspects of the land, the quality of the terrain, the attitudes of the people; by contrast Yehoshua’s spies are directed to determine the ideal military strategy necessary to conquer the Land of Israel and to gauge the people’s attitudes to boost morale. Finally, while Moshe’s spies were sent out with great fanfare, Yehoshua’s spies leave quietly so as not to create high expectations.  

Often we find ourselves in situations that previously resulted in poor or unsatisfactory outcomes. How can we pivot gracefully so that we are successful in our second or third attempt? Analyzing the changes Yehoshua makes when he sends out his spies gives us a road map for revisiting our own personal challenges. Just as Yehoshua doesn’t name his spies, we must always approach every task in life without ego, recognizing that our mission is G-d’s mission, rather than an opportunity to promote ourselves. Next, it is crucial to think through the specific goals for the particular situation. In Yehoshua’s time, the goal was the military strategy to bolster the people as they entered the Land of Israel. The more focused and directed we are, the greater the likelihood for success. Having targeted goals allows us to mark our accomplishments and understand what remains to be completed. Finally, making big pronouncements invites scrutiny and can raise hopes that often cannot be met. Yehoshua sent out the spies without a Facebook post or tweet. Moving forward quietly and carefully can be wiser, without the public voice weighing in with comments.

Facing our failures can be uncomfortable and hard. Using the tools provided by Yehoshua and his spies, we can hopefully accomplish our mission with great success.