To Be A Leader

"So the Lord said to Moses, 'Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him; and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation, and commission him in their sight. You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him. Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord. At his command they shall go out and at his command they shall come in, both he and the sons of Israel with him, even all the congregation.' Moses did just as the Lord commanded him; and he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the Lord had spoken through Moses." -Numbers 27.18-23

Moses has prayed for God to send a new leader for the people, and God brings Joshua. He's the logical choice. He's been Moses' aid for decades. He has led the people into battle time and again. He was a spy who brought back a positive report of the Promised Land. But God points out the characteristic that is most important, Joshua was full of the Spirit. Think back to Exodus 33, it says that when Moses would leave the tent of meeting and return to camp, Joshua would stay behind. Joshua was a man who spent time with God, and God chose him to lead His people.

Moses makes it official, and public, showing that Joshua is God's choice and has Moses, and Eleazar's full support and confidence. This is important that the people see the old leader's support and don't feel anger or resentment towards a new leader. They allowed Joshua to have and exercise power so that the people would see and know he was God's choice, and their new leader. He laid his hands on Joshua, and commissions him as the new leader of the people.

Men, if you would be a leader, you must be full of the Spirit. If you would lead your family as a godly father you must be full of the Spirit. If you would lead the people of God into Christlikeness, you must be full of the Spirit. If you would lead others to new life in Christ, you must be full of the Spirit. If you would lead, you must be full of the Spirit.

May we seek God, as Joshua did. May we have the support of former and current leaders. May we be filled with the Spirit.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor