Be a Model

"nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock." -1 Peter 5.3

The reality of leadership, is that leaders are in the spotlight. The role of a leader means that everyone is watching, and everything you do is scrutinized. To be a leader is to be constantly in the public eye, that eye may be smaller depending on what you are leading, but it is always there. For this reason, the actions of a leader are essential. A leader is to be a model for others to emulate. As the head of a group, church, or nation, a leader is to be the example that represents that group. As such, a leader needs to model what that group stands for and represents.

In the book of Joshua, we see the growth of a leader, from the moment he assumes leadership, to end of his life. As he is ordained by God as leader of the nation of Israel, the Lord gives him this command:

"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1.7-9)

Joshua is given his instructions for the example he is to set. He is to be strong and courageous, always living in faith before God. He is to live by the laws of God, teaching them, and modeling them so that the nation can imitate his example. The promise is for God's presence to be with him, and to be blessed as a leader who will bring his people into the land God has promised. This command ends with a personal promise from God, a reassurance that he does not lead alone.

Joshua was not a perfect leader; he made mistakes that would impact Israel for centuries, possibly even millennia, but at the end of his life, this is his charge to the nation:

"Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24.14-15)

That is what a leader does. The words of Joshua at the end of his life would have been empty and meaningless if he had not lived a life of faithful obedience to God. Joshua would not have led the people across the Jordan, or led them in the conquest of the Promised Land had he not lived faithfully before God. The people would not have responded to his final charge with affirmation of service to God had Joshua not lived a life of such faithfulness. A leader is to be a model that the people can emulate.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!