God’s favorite designation for Moses was “servant” (1: 1, 2, 7, 13, 15). This was also Joshua’s routine way of referring to Moses (e.g.11: 12, 15; 12: 6). This makes the death notice of Joshua especially significant. After these things, the LORD’s servant, Joshua son of Nun, died at the age of 110 (24: 29). After these things recounts the brave heroics of Israel’s formidable commander, Joshua. He was a military strategist of the first magnitude. Morally, he was as clean as a hound’s tooth. He left a record of intercession seldom equaled in the annals of God’s people. In distributing the land, he proved himself a capable statesman. But what is his title upon death? He is called the LORD’s servant. Joshua had set the example of servanthood among the people. The verb “worship” found fifteen times in 24: 14 – 31 can also be translated “serve”. Joshua’s immortal words, [C]hoose for yourselves today the one you will worship (or “serve”)…. As for me and my family, we will worship (or “serve”) the LORD (24: 15) ring in our ears even today. Joshua lived the life of servanthood and it paid off. Israel worshiped (or “served”) the LORD throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua (24: 31).
No kinder or more flattering thing could be said of a child of God than that he or she is a servant. In his letter to his beloved Philippians, Paul called himself and Timothy slaves (or bond-servants) of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1: 1). He did this again in addressing Titus (Tit. 1: 1). Peter, one of the members of our Lord’s inner circle, identified himself with the same term (2 Pet. 1: 1) as did our Lord’s half-brothers James (Jam. 1: 1) and Jude (Jd. 1). “Servant” may not be a title pulsating with prestige for most but it is hugely significant for God’s people.
The significance of servanthood is drawn directly from the master. For the servant everything revolves around the master. When you rise; what you do; where you eat; how you are rewarded; with whom you associate; and when you lie down are all at the pleasure of the master. The servant has but one reason to live – to please the master. Paul informed Timothy that if anyone purifies himself… he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every work (2 Tim. 2: 21). A pertinent question for today (and everyday) is: Am I useful to the Master today?