"Exampleship before Leadership"

Numbers 27.15-17
New English Translation

“Then Moses spoke to the Lord: ‘Let 
the Lord, the God of the spirits of all humankind, appoint a man over the community, who will go out before them, and who will come in before them, and who will lead them out, and who will bring them in, so that the community of the Lord may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.’”

Joshua became Moses’ replacement as the leader of a nation. The former man’s authority would be conferred in a public ceremony recognizing the new man appointed by God “over the community.” Joshua would be an example to the people as one “who will go out before them, and who will come in before them.” He would also be their leader “who will lead them out, and who will bring them in.”

All Christians are charged with being a good example of their faith in the human community. Like Joshua, the believer should “go out” and “come in” at the bidding of the Holy Spirit demonstrating the practice and presence of God to all who may be watching. 

But not every Christian is called to be a leader like Joshua. Leaders are appointed by God. They are certainly required to be good examples, like every other Christian, but they are more than that. They are leaders. People go where leaders go. Leaders possess an unseen magnetic force that inspires a following. Not everyone who wants to be a leader can be a leader. Only those on whom God has granted such “honor and authority”...

“And put some of your [Moses’] honor and authority upon him [Joshua],

that all the congregation of the Israelites may obey him.”
Numbers 27.20 Amplified Bible

“Not many of you should become teachers [or, leaders], my brothers and sisters,

for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”
James 3.1NRSV

Every good leader must first be a good example. Today I will try to be more concerned about exampleship than leadership.

___________________

The beautiful illustration of ducklings following their mother duck is from a children's book illustrated by English artist Clifford Webb (1895-1972).