November 17, 1999

EXPLORE THE BIBLE:
New leadership brings new
vistas, new vision
___ Numbers 27:12-23
___By Mark Bumpus
___First Baptist Church, Mineral Wells
___Above the gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives are the profiles of famous men of history. The faces of these men seem to peer down upon the proceedings of the House and the joint sessions of Congress. When the president delivers the State of the Union Address, a mighty cloud of historical figures seem to be observing.
___In 1988, an aide for Florida Rep. Earl Hutto ushered my wife and me onto the floor of the vacant House chamber. Approaching the speaker's desk, he asked if I wanted to stand where the president stands when he addresses Congress. Stepping behind that desk, awed, I felt history wrap around me.
___Do you know into whose face the president looks when he addresses Congress? Moses! That's right. The great lawgiver. Smack dab, back center, the face of Moses looms over the U.S. Congress. A subtle reminder that God is keenly interested in the affairs of our nation.
___Moses has loomed large over Israel and our three-month study of Leviticus and Numbers. But the mantle of leadership is about to pass to Joshua.
___ Inevitable transition (Numbers 27:12-14). The Lord leads Moses to a high mountain range northeast of the Dead Sea and opposite Jericho. Here he allows Moses to peer into the Promised Land. He learns he shall soon die. The transition between two great leaders is about to transpire. Eventually, transition always occurs. The old adage is true, "God buries his workmen but continues his work."
___ Prayerful search (Numbers 27:15-17). Moses humbly prays for his successor. There is no jealousy. He only wants God's will and God's man. He wants him to succeed.
___ No one indispensable (Numbers 27:18-21). The Lord answers Moses' prayer. Joshua is to succeed him. Though Moses has been of great value to God, even he is dispensable. Important, yes; indispensable, no. No person in the church, including the pastor, is indispensable. Feeling indispensable? Stick your finger in a bowl of water, pull it out and see how long the hole remains!
___ Public support (Numbers 27:22-23). Here we see the magnanimous spirit of Moses. Great man that he was, publicly he threw his support around Joshua, his successor. The subtle lesson: Joshua will lead well, but not in exactly the same way.
___The only beatitude I have ever penned is this: "Blessed is the pastor whose congregation does not compare him unfavorably with his predecessors." In all three of my pastorates at Pearl, Troy and Mineral Wells, I have had wonderful predecessors. But each congregation has let me be me and has not held before me the assets or liabilities of my predecessors.
___What a timely Bible study for Texas Baptists! It reminds me of the words of Dag Hammarskjold, secretary-general of the United Nations. On New Year's Day 1953, with the books closing on 1952 and opening on 1953, he penned these words in his journal: "For all that has been--Thanks! To all that shall be--Yes!"
___During this change of spiritual leadership in Texas, to William Pinson we say, "For all that has been--Thanks!" To Charles Wade we say, "To all that shall be--Yes!"

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