I was reflecting this morning on these scriptures and the idea concerning the importance of succession planning, building our leadership pipeline as a priority and obeying god.
We see in this passage, one of the greatest prophets, Moses, coming to the end of his time as the leader of Israel – a forty year burden. He has had many successes and many failures over the span of his life.
Though his leadership imprint did not begin until he was eighty (Acts 7:22, 30)’, he accomplished so much:
⁃ At the advice of his father in law, he created the judicial system to be able to meet the growing needs of Israel. Exodus 18:25-26
⁃ In Numbers 11:16, he had 70 men anointed with his wisdom to be able to multiply his effectiveness in leading and taking care of a whole nation of 600,000 men (not including women and children) after having left Egypt.
As a leader, Moses is known for being a master builder of leadership systems.
Equally if not more importantly, Moses had an intimate relationship with god where they met and talked on many occasions throughout the scriptures starting in Exodus through Deuteronomy.
Despite all of these successes, the thing that grieves me the most is that Moses’ decision, made out of anger and frustration, caused him to not obey god and follow his instructions when God was trying to take him to another level. The scripture says “I have let you see it [the promised land] with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” Decisions matter.
If we recall, the story in Numbers 20 goes as this:
“And the Lord said to Moses, Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to give forth its water, and you shall bring forth to them water out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.
So Moses took the rod from before the Lord, as He commanded him. And Moses and Aaron assembled the congregation before the rock and Moses said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?
And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote the rock twice. And the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not believe in (rely on, cling to) Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Israelites, you therefore shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.” Numbers 20:7-12 AMPC
This disobedience or demonstrated inability to grow (in previous times, the guidance from god was to smote the rock) and perform at the next level, cause Moses to be placed on the exit ramp concerning Gods purpose and mission.
The scripture states that “Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated.” So he was not feeble and was well able physically to lead the people. There just was a lapse in judgement that cost him his position.
It was time to pass the mantle on to the leader who would take the children of Israel to the promised land, Joshua.
The lesson for us as leaders is to do our best to hear from God and to lead well- everyday. Our very existence and success as leaders depend on it.
Yes it is true, that the very people we are charged with leading may be stiff-necked, rebellious, struggle with change, and have old limiting beliefs and behaviors; but despite all of that, the responsibility of leadership still falls on us and we must and will be held accountable. The scripture reminds us that whom He sends, He qualifies.
In Closing: God, in his infinite wisdom and love, still provided for the children of Israel and provided them with a leader to carry the mantle forward – Joshua. God was not slack on fulfilling his promises to Israel in that he ensured that their new leader had a sure and solid foundation. The Bible states that “ Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him…” Moses had poured so much of himself into Joshua while they walked the leadership journey together.
Joshua learned from the best and was sensitive to hear and to obey the words of God. So much so that the Bible states the new generation of “Israelites listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”
Be Blessed!
Be a Blessing!
Lead well!
“And the Lord said to him, This is the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants.
I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.
So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord, And He buried him in the valley of the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day.
Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated. [Deut. 31:2.]
And the Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days; then the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
And Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him; so the Israelites listened to him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, [None equal to him] in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt–to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, And in all the mighty power and all the great and terrible deeds which Moses wrought in the sight of all Israel.”
Deuteronomy 34:4-12 AMPC
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