August 27, 2001
Lessons for September 9
FAMILY BIBLE STUDY:
A godly leader remembers who he is following
___Numbers 27:15-23; Joshua 1:1-18
___By Christine Hockin-Boyd
___Texas WMU, Dallas
___"What is the No. 1 quality you would look for in a leader?"
___If you were to conduct a sample survey and ask that question, your answers would be as varied as cereal choices. And that is a lot of cereal. The point is that both believers and non-believers will have differences of opinion on what makes a leader. What may have been obvious to one generation is not likely so in another generation. Perspective. Background. Influence.
___Now, let's qualify the question and ask, "What is the No. 1 quality you would look for in a godly leader?" Would your answer change? Alter slightly? How would your generation answer it differently than another generation? Perspective. Background. Influence. By adding one word to the question, I am sure your answer was different.
___I enjoy researching on the World Wide Web and decided to see what it had to offer for this week's study. Using a search engine, I discovered 7,690,000 articles pertaining to "leader," while only finding 51,300 for "godly leader." What does this say?
___What kind of leader do you want to follow? It has been said that a leader can be identified as one who can turn around and see who is following behind. Or, simply put, a leader leads. So, what kind of leader does God want you to follow? The simple truth is God established leadership for his people, and he wants you to follow leaders who reflect his character.
___This week's study occurs near the end of the 40 years of wilderness wanderings to which the people of Israel had been condemned because of their unbelief and disobedience. In verse 15, Moses prays to God to choose a leader to succeed him. Note the specifics Moses prays. He wants someone not just to lead in a battle but also to care for personal needs. It was important to Moses that his replacement would care for people as a shepherd does for his sheep.
___"Take Joshua, son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence" (27:18-19). When you think about a godly leader, do you think of a person who is Spirit-filled? One who leads through the influence of God the Holy Spirit? I'm sure you can think of several men and women you feel are godly leaders. One who leads by God's direction and his direction alone--not of self.
___God then gave certain instructions to lay hands on this new leader, a young man, and commission him. Moses was to announce and claim Joshua as the new leader. He was to pray over him. I would imagine Moses prayed earnestly for God to give Joshua all he needed to be a godly leader. One who would be trustworthy, obedient, honest and impartial. One who would serve with the highest integrity. How would you like to be prayed over as a chosen leader?
___In my early years of ministry, I had the most humbling experience during a staff retreat. A portion of the retreat was devoted to praying for one another. We took turns sitting in a chair while fellow ministers laid hands on the person being prayed for. Each prayed with insightfulness and out of the depth of the relationship with that fellow minister. Then my turn came to sit in the chair. I was not ready for what my heart and mind experienced. This changed us all. With tears and smiles we had experienced a deeper relationship with one another through prayer. The touch of a hand, spoken words, heart to heart. Moses prayed over Joshua.
___In verses 20-21, Moses was instructed to begin giving responsibilities to Joshua. This was to help the people begin seeing his leadership ability and to give confidence to Joshua. Moses provided a time of learning and training for him. Thus the transition would be steady and smooth.
___Moses had given him authority, little by little, demonstrated his trust in Joshua and obedience to God of the selection of Joshua. Can you imagine what lay leadership would be like if a transition time between one leader and the next was provided?
___After Moses' death, God spoke to Joshua (1:5-7). It was now time for him to take the leadership role. With those beautiful and powerful words, Joshua was reminded of God's provision and protection. And then with further instruction, God's words that are familiar to us both read and sung, he said, "Be strong and courageous ... be strong and very courageous ..." (6-7).
___Yes, God spoke to Joshua specifically and with affirmation. God reminded Joshua he was the new chosen leader. He would not be alone in this journey. Joshua was to be determined and confident. He was to take heed to the law and obey it explicitly. He was to serve under God's standards and not of the world. What would you look for in a godly leader today? One that reflects his character.
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