PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 27-28
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Take Joshua, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.” (Numbers 27:18)
I wonder if Joshua actually wanted this job – what a huge responsibility and burden.
Serving as a shepherd of stubborn sheep, dealing with complicated situations.
And managing the many offerings of the people as they follow the Lord (ch.28).
I was commissioned with laying on of hands as a leader in the church 30 years ago.
This is not an easy job; the sheep and shepherd (me) can be stubborn and slow to follow.
There have been many times I’ve wanted to quit, but the Lord has not released me.
It seems that the Spirit of leadership is in me, and keeps me in this role.
I have to remember that I am not alone, and that many hands are on me, with me.
Like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’s hands in battle, many hands are holding me too.
And most of all, to know that the Lord’s hand is on me, with me, and working through me.
If the Spirit of the Shepherd is on me, then he will use me and help me.
I am not the sole leader in this community; I share it with others, and with Jesus.
I am first and foremost as sheep in the hands of my Shepherd, who leads and supports me.
Will I accept his commissioning hand on me, and will I continue to lead where he leads me?
PRAYER
Lord, this is a timely reflection for me. I am still not sure where your Spirit of leadership is leading me, but I am encouraged to know it is your hand that is on me, and will lead me through this!
Justice and fairness and grace are all marks of being God’s people – so the daughter’s are able to receive the inheritance if there are no sons. There is also the regular requirements for offerings that are to be maintained – as well as the Passover. Justice requires that the there is a price for not honouring God – so Moses is punished too – he is an example to the people – as is the example of the 4o years and a passing generation that may not enter the promised land – except for Joshua and Caleb who had honoured God. Joshua succeeds because his is “a man in whom is the spirit of leadership”. So Moses commissions Joshua and God establishes justice and consistency. Lord may I learn more of your justice and grace and help me to be an effective leader as you entrust me!
Leadership.
A gift from God.
Those who lead need to have the Spirit of the living God on them. They do not lead aimlessly by they lead doing His will for His Spirit leads and guides them to do His will. But I as a believer also need to have His Spirit lead and guide me daily as I do His will for that is His desire and my desire. We are all commissioned to live for Jesus desiring to do His will. Help me this day Lord to walk in Your SonShine doing Your will. Empower me. Lead me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me!
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me!
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me!
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me!