LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Feb. 24
Moses offers an example of leadership transition
___ Deuteronomy 31:1-2, 7-11; 34:5-9
___By Pete Freeman
___First Baptist Church, The Woodlands
___I will never forget my first experience as a pastor with something called "change." I was in my mid-20s, fresh out of seminary and anxious to change the world. I wish I had known then what my friend Presnall Wood later told me, "Be careful what you say, how you say it and when you say it ... and don't put it in writing." Well, I violated all of the above in my first six months at that church. I wanted them to change so much that I was willing take change into my own hands.
___My first action was directed toward the attendance and offering board hanging conspicuously in the sanctuary. I had referred to it as our "Baptist score board" in one of my sermons. Therefore, you can imagine the reaction one Sunday when everyone arrived and the board had disappeared. The buzz over what had happened to the board became a h
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eated matter at that night's business meeting. After hearing some of our finer members articulate on the merits of the board and how it was given by a former missionary to China, I decided not to share my concerns over our preoccupation with numbers. The board re-appeared during the week. Until this lesson, no one knew who removed that board.
___Change and transition are sometimes difficult matters for God's people. Moses knew that. That is why he began to prepare his people for a change in leadership. He knew how difficult it would be both for them and for Joshua, their new leader. Our text lends itself to five important principles about change and transition as suggested by the LifeWay commentator. They are spelled out in the last four chapters of Deuteronomy.
___ Be ready to accept the reality of transitions (31:1-2)! Even though Moses was in fairly good health at the age of 120 (34:7), he realized it was time for a change in leadership. He briefly alluded to his rationale by saying the Lord had told him he would not cross the Jordan. Reasons for change and transition are relative to each situation. The fact is, change should be considered a normal part of life. I must admit that the older I get (60 in May), the more I understand why most senior adults don't usually celebrate change. There's something to be said about the pleasures of comfort.
___ Be ready to accept new leadership (31:7-8)! A fuller explanation of the commissioning of Joshua as the new leader is found in Numbers 27:18-23. Note that God realized the importance of Moses' (retiring leader) role in making Joshua (new leader) a success. Former pastors, Bible study leaders and other leaders, as they hand over the reins to their successors, should apply this principle. The words of God as spoken by Moses ("I will never leave you or forsake you") became important to Joshua as he led the people into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:5). As God's people, we must be willing to render the same kind of followship to our new leaders as we rendered to our past leaders.
___ Be attuned to God's word (31:9-11)! We're not sure exactly what Moses had in mind when he used the expression "the law," but he is probably referring to Deuteronomy 5-28. He was making sure that even though they were encouraged to follow Joshua's leadership, they were more committed to follow the Lord's teachings. As is demonstrated in the following history of Israel, leadership doesn't always honor the Lord, and leaders change with time. Yet the words of God are timeless. Transition should always be encountered with great attention to our covenant relationship with the Lord's teachings and promises.
___ Be awake to our own emotions (34:5-8)! Transitions sometimes require emotional space. Our text records how the people of God responded to the death of their great leader, Moses. Thirty days was apparently a traditional time for mourning the loss of significant leaders (Numbers 20:29). The death of national leaders brought grief to the entire community. There is nothing wrong with God's people grieving over the loss of a leader for whatever reason. Grieving is a necessary step in the process for getting on with life. Of course, not all people grieve when a pastor leaves. I heard about a pastor who announced his resignation one Sunday morning. He said, "Five years ago Jesus brought me here and now is taking me away." Immediately afterward, the worship leader said, "Let us now stand and sing 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus.'"
___ Be open to new opportunities (34:9)! Our text states, Moses "laid his hands on him." As with ordination today, it symbolizes the transference of covenant authority and responsibility. It is important to note that just the laying on of hands is not what caused the Israelites to follow him. It was the spirit of wisdom evidenced in Joshua that made the difference. There have been a lot of men who have been ordained not worth following. People will follow godly leaders and will see in them the opportunities for new direction and ministry. I guess I'm a little old-fashioned, but I still believe that respect as a leader is something you earn, not something you demand.
___Questions for discussion
___ How well are you following your leader?
___ What can you do to become a better follower? What obligations do you have to your pastor?
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