Leadership, chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO
The selection of Leaders for the job
The first man appointed by God to be the leader of a called-out people, was Moses. Joshua, the Judges, the Prophets and then the kings of Israel followed him. Since the New Testament clearly states that the happenings to Israel were for our examples, it might be well for us to consider the lives and events surrounding a few of these men in order to learn something about leading God’s people today.

One of the outstanding things about these men was that there were great differences in almost everything about them. They were chosen in different ways. Many had special missions and messages, and each had his own accomplishments. Some were accepted by the people and some were not, and yet those who were successful in God’s sight, all had one thing in common: They sought for and followed God’s will.

Note how God chose a few of these men and how He made that choice known:
Moses may well have been included in God’s plan for Israel from before his birth but it was not openly declared to Moses until he was eighty years old. It was only then that he was thoroughly prepared for the job. His attempts to assume a position of leadership earlier had been severely bungled.

Gideon and David shared the distinction of having the potential of leadership known at first, only to God. Many of those who have been used mightily by God in our own time wondered at first, "Why me, Lord? Surely others are much better qualified." While David had enough confidence in self and faith in his Lord that he seemed to have no trouble accepting his assignment, Gideon had to have repeated proof. Among those called into the ministry today we still see parallels of these two. But whether one reacts with great incredulity or with quiet acceptance, all face the task ahead with a sense of personal inadequacy.

Some, like Gideon, have a problem with the thought that God can make the difference. Others, like David, have already learned that God has the power to see His will done, if not by us, then by someone else. The choice of accepting or rejecting the assignment is ours, but the responsibility for it remains with us and the accounting for having done the job or failing in it will be ours at the judgment. -
1 Cor 9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

No leader has ever reached his full potential for God, without total surrender to Him. Consider Moses: Without a doubt, there has never been a greater or more effective leader of any people, yet we can only speculate what heights he might have reached had he not questioned God’s judgment in calling him, and had accepted the full responsibility for the job without the need for Aaron to be his spokesman. What if Moses had sufficiently subdued his own flesh, and had not struck the rock that second time in a fit of anger?

What heights would David have been permitted to reach in his reign, had he not allowed himself to look with lustful eyes upon Bathsheba? What wonders would Samson have performed had he been true to God, his family and his nation in his romantic life?

Commitment is the vital thing which determines one’s true success in the service of God. Many of those who have risen above their contemporaries have not been especially wise, talented, or blessed with some extraordinary gift not available to others. In fact, most of them have been quite ordinary, average students of the Word. Many have not even had any great speaking ability. That which made them outstanding in their service, and a great blessing to others is the fact they have dedicated themselves to the task without reservation. That has been all that was needed to make them extraordinary in all they set forth to do for the Lord.

Some have become great leaders by using those things learned earlier in life. Others have been hindered by patterns set in childhood and youth, while yet others overcame the failings of their parents to instill proper values in them, and became great leaders in spite of their early life and training.

David learned patience, humility and valor while tending the flock. Later, as both warrior and king, those lessons were put to good use.
Samson was apparently a spoiled brat and self-willed youth who never learned to honor his parents or the Lord, and his selfish self-centeredness was the bane of his life.
Samuel was raised in the house of God after having been nurtured by a God-fearing mother, and became one of the greatest prophets of all time.
The father of Gideon was a worshiper of Baal and the first act of Gideon’s service was to tear down the altar and grove his father had built for the worship of idols. While this is certainly not the recommended way to raise great, Godly leaders, many have overcome the evil influence of ungodly parents.
These men often seem to be even more fiercely dedicated to God. Perhaps this is so, because they know the full extent of His deliverance.

Of all the great leaders of the Old Testament there is none, however, to compare with Moses. His life is replete with examples for those who would be used of God. From his earliest days as a babe to his final walk with God up Mount Nebo, there are lessons for those who would be leaders of God’s people.