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We had a good read. For the benefit of yourself. Be sure to read to the end. I want you to get good knowledge from Mission Junior College.Generally, citizen ascribe the success or failure of a leader to their qualification or fitness to lead. For this speculate when leaders are sought in the secular world, the qualifications of the individuals are commonly given primary considerations. On the contrary, a close exam of the call of great leaders God used in the Bible reveals that God was not primarily concerned about qualifications. Eims Leroy, observed that Leaders like Moses, Gideon and Jeremiah openly confessed their inadequacy to achieve the task God called them to do.1 If God was looking for superior men then he would not have called them.
Does it then mean that preparations are not principal for Leadership? agreeing to Gottfried Osei-Mensah, there are prerequisites for spiritual leadership.2 This statement implies that some form of preparing is necessary. In addition, it is clear from scripture that every leader that God used had sure qualities or abilities that were principal in performing their task. This notice however poses a question: Were those leaders ready for their calling or did they just happen to have the qualities God required? With God, things do not happen by chance, therefore the thesis of this record is, those whom God used in the Bible as leaders were always ready for their task.
To construe this thesis statement excellent leaders in the Bible are examined. The goal is, first to prove that the leaders were ready for leadership and second, to decree the nature of the preparing and its point to the leaders' call.
The following three categories of leaders have been excellent for this study:
a) Those whose call and commission came as a surprise to them
b) Those who were mentored by their predecessor
c) Those who assumed leadership as a follow of a crisis.
Under each leader the presentation will also be divided into three sections:
a) His life history before his call to leadership;
b) His leadership role and achievements;
c) overview of the exact ways he was ready for leadership. Finally an
evaluation would be made and conclusions drawn.
A. Leaders Whose Call And Commission Came As A Surprise
Among the leaders whose call and commission came as a surprise were Moses and Paul. These were leaders who had personal encounter with God whilst they were pursuing their own goals in life. These leaders would now be discussed individually to decree how each of them was ready for leadership.
Moses
a) His life history before his call to leadership
The Bible, in Exodus lesson 2-5, discusses the life of Moses from the time of his birth to that of his call. agreeing to this section, Moses was born in Egypt by Hebrew parents. But because of an edict by Pharaoh to kill all the Hebrew baby boys, his mom was unable to raise him up from childhood to adulthood. However, by what can be termed divine providence, Howard F. Vos stated that Moses probably spent the first two or three 'years of his life with his own mother.3 The remaining period of his first forty years was spent in the palace as an adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter. Commenting on the years Moses spent in Pharaoh's palace, John C. Maxwell observed that he received the best of what Egypt offered both physically as well as intellectually. Maxwell cited Acts 7:22 which states that Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was superior in words and deeds.4
In spite of the fact that he was raised up in Pharaoh's palace Moses acknowledged his Hebrew identity. He had to flee Egypt because he killed an Egyptian to protect an oppressed Hebrew. The next forty years of his life he spent in Midian tending the flock of Jethro. It was in Midian, at about 80 years of age that God made the surprised call to him.
b) His leadership role and achievements
In this section the goal is just to make a brief reflection of Moses' main task and achievements. agreeing to John D. Hannah, in his annotation on Exodus, God commissioned Moses to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. He showed how that call and commission came as a perfect surprise to Moses.5 Although God also promised to take the Israelites to a good and spacious land, that commission, agreeing to Hannah, was not given to Moses. To keep his point, he made reference to Stephen's statement about Moses' mission in Acts 7:35-36, implying that there was no indication that Moses was supposed to take the Israelites to the promise land.6 Moses well closed the task God gave him in spite of all his objections about his inability when God called him. This was because he thorough in faith God's assuring words that he would be with him to achieve that mission and also because of his ambition to deliver the Israelites from slavery. Commenting on the aspect of his ambition, Ted Engstrom pointed out that "he never lost sight of his ambition and calling in life which made it possible".7 Throughout his mission these words of guarnatee had been a motivation for him.
In addition, Maxwell rightly observed, over the procedure of the years in the desert, Moses' leadership improved. He cited Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, as one man who helped to make that difference in his life.
Moses also closed something else that was not explicitly stated in scripture. D.A. Hubbard, in his record on the Pentateuch said that both Judaism and Christianity thorough without examine the biblical tradition that Moses wrote the Pentateuch.8 These writings had been great materials not just for spiritual purpose but also for academic purpose.
Paul
a) His life history before his call to leadership
According to Act 21:39;22:3, Paul was a native of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. He was of pure Jewish descent and of the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5). He was a Hebrew and a Pharisee. He spoke Greek and was customary with Aramaic (Acts 22:2). Paul, learned tent production because it was primary that all Jewish boys learn a trade.
In his book, 'Paul the Leader', Oswald J. Sanders made this notice about Paul: "all the formative years were calculated, to prepare him to be an eminent Pharisee and Rabbi like his great mentor Gamaliel".9 Paul studied under Gamaliel, a superior instructor of the law and of the school of Hillel. Sanders also recognize that the school of Hillel embraced a broader and more liberal view in schooling than that of Shammai - the other superior school.10 In addition, Sanders stated that unlike the school of Shammai, the school of Hillel was interested in Greek literature. In that school, Paul learned to use works of Gentile authors. He surpassed his fellow-students in both academic achievements and in zeal for both God and the tradition of his fathers. He was roughly a member of the Sanhedrin, the consummate legal and civil court.11
b) His leadership role and achievements
Oswald Sanders, noted that Paul became a great spiritual leader when his heart and mind were captured by Jesus.12 Such statements could not have been made if Paul had not made great achievements in the role God gave him to perform. Other writer, Ted E. Engstrom gave the background to Paul's success: "a Jew living in a Greek city, and with a Roman citizenship. Both by birth and training Paul possessed the tenacity of the Jews, the culture of the Greeks and the practicality of the Romans, and these qualities enabled him to adapt to the citizen among whom he was to move"13. agreeing to Acts lesson 9, when Paul encountered the Lord Jesus he was commissioned to take the gospel message to the gentiles. Records of Paul's accomplishments of his commission can be found in Acts Chapters 13-28. These included missionary journeys to gentile territories, Church planting, training or teaching ministries among the gentiles and flourishing debates with secular philosophers.
In increasing Paul also wrote thirteen of the New Testament Epistles. In these epistles he dealt with leading theological concepts like justification, sanctification and the resurrection of Christ. Varied portions of defense of the Christian faith against secular philosophies are also included in these epistles. agreeing to 2Tim. 4:7, Paul was sure he closed God's mission for his life when he stated that he has fought the good fight, closed the race and kept the faith.
B. Leaders Who Were Mentored By Their Predecessor
The second categories of leaders to be examined are those who were mentored by their predecessor. Among such leaders are Joshua, who succeeded Moses and Samuel, who succeeded Eli. These two leaders will be examined individually in this section.
Joshua
a) His life history before his call to leadership
The Bible gave a brief house background of Joshua in Exodus 33:11; Num. 1:10. He was the son of Nun, the son of Elishama, head of the tribe of Ephraim. Apart from this background, there is no other facts about him before he met Moses. The scriptures gave much focus to Joshua's mentoring association with Moses. This close working association between them can be traced in scripture.
According to exodus 24:13, when Moses went up Sinai to receive the two tablets for the first time Joshua accompanied him part of the way and was the first to meet him on his return (32:17). Also when the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses moved the tabernacle covering the camp and left the congregation in fee of Joshua. In addition, Joshua was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to recognize the land of Canaan. It was only after about forty years of mentoring by Moses in the desert that God directed Moses to give Joshua leadership authority over the people.
In his book, 'Leadership Images from the New Testament', David Bennett mentioned four steps in developing a leader from the example of Jesus. These are:
a) To develop leaders who have learned to follow
b) To train within the context of personal apprenticeship.
c) To make commitment to the society as well as training for a task.
d) To stress on the spiritual aspects of leadership.14
These four steps can be found in the roughly forty years mentoring association between Moses and Joshua. As Engstrom rightly puts it "Moses had the right attitude, when he knew it was time to train man else for leadership. He was fearful of being a paternal leader and pleaded with God to give the Israelite a successor".15 This might have been one of the reasons why he devoted himself to mentor Joshua.
b) His leadership role and achievements
Joshua's role was made clear to him when he was commissioned as the leader of Israel. His call and commission was mediated through Moses. In Numbers 27:12-22 the Lord reminded Moses that he would not enter the promise Land and that Joshua would replace him. Moses obeyed the Lord's instructions and commissioned Joshua before the whole Israelite assembly. This commission kept Joshua in focus throughout his mission and he kept his faith in the one who called him. As Donald K. Campbell rightly observed, Joshua interceded for the nation when the Israelites sinned and were defeated.16 God's mandate was that Joshua would lead the Israelites to the Promise Land and he depended on him to achieve that mandate. Commenting on the fee given to Joshua to be strong and courageous in Josh. 1:6, Campbell also said it was an affirmation that God would not let Joshua down.17 however this may also be seen as an indication that prior to the time he became Israel's leader he had potentials, which he needed to build up in leadership.
Details of how Joshua closed his mission have been recorded in the book of Joshua. The conquest of Canaan was however not an easy one but Joshua's training as a military leader and his dependence upon God gave him added advantage. He made mistakes but he learned from his mistakes.
Samuel
a) His life history before his call to leadership
According to John C. Maxwell, Samuel was extra from the time he was born because he was an write back to prayer. He further commented that, as young child, Samuel was settled in the care of Eli the High priest and Judge of Israel.18 This revealed that the mentoring association between Eli and Samuel started quite early in Samuel's life. Like Joshua, Samuel stayed in the same place with his mentor. In addition, at a very early age, God began to speak directly to him and that motivated him to reverence and serve God faithfully. The role played by Hannah in initiating this mentoring association should not be overlooked. McChesney and Unger said that it was a vow that Hannah made to dedicate Samuel to the Lord as a Nazarite.19
b) His Leadership Role and Achievements
To great understand and appreciate Samuel's achievements, one should first recognize the religious, political and communal situations prior to his assumption to leadership. Eugene H, Merrill rightly observed that "the 300 or so years of the history of Israel under the Judges were marked by political, moral, and spiritual anarchy and deterioration". It was in this background, where all seemed to have failed that Samuel was groomed and also took up leadership.20
With reference to his achievements, "Samuel's level of influence with the citizen prolonged to growth throughout his lifetime. As a prophet, he was respected because he spoke from God. But in time Samuel also became Israel's Judge, a position similar to that of a king. He was the nation's civil and military leader. Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life".21 Indeed, only leaders with sure qualities can achieve what Samuel achieved. It was that kind of excellent leadership that God was looking for in order to address the deteriorating situation in Israel. Israel enjoyed a time of peace while Samuel's reign.
C. Leaders Who Assume Leadership As A follow Of A Crisis
During the period between the death of Joshua and the start of Samuel's leadership, many citizen ruled Israel as Judges. All of them came to leadership as a follow of a emergency need. Gideon and Samson were two of the Judges who ruled Israel at that time. They will be examined in this section, as representatives of the Judges, to decree whether they were ready for their leadership roles.
Gideon
a) His life history before his call to leadership
In Judges lesson 6-8 the Bible gave a brief historic list of Gideon's house background. He was the son of Joash the Abiezrite. He was also of the tribe of Manasseh. One may want to advise that Gideon had no potential or inherent for leadership before he became a leader. This assumption is proved wrong in the light of the angel's greetings to Gideon - "mighty man of valor" (Judg. 6:12). As Joyce Peel rightly said, "the angel calls out his inexpressive qualities which we see developing in the rest of the story".22
It can be seen that Gideon already had faith in God from a examine he asked the angel - where are all the wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, "Did not the lord bring us up out of Egypt?" His parents have made him realize that in the past they have depended on God for survival. However, Gideon wanted an guarnatee that it was the God of his fathers talking to him, so he asked God to give him a sign (:17). Joyce Peel's annotation on Gideon's invite is that "it isn't for the sort of sign an unbeliever asks to evade a challenge but for a sign to confirm to a believer who is ready to obey".23 Gideon was convinced that God was speaking to him and based on that fact he responded to the call to meet the Midianite crisis.
b) His Leadership Role and Achievements
Gideon was called to achieve a exact role and that was to deliver Israel from the Midianites. He had a clear vision in mind as to what he had to do. He also believed that he could achieve his goal because he had the guarnatee of God. In increasing he had inner qualities, which gave him enough courage to move into action, even though he started at night. Gideon delivered the Israelites from the Midianites' oppression but he first brought them back to faith in God. However, immediately after his death the citizen turned back to their foreign gods.
Samson
a) His life history before his call to leadership
In Judges lesson 13-16 the Bible gave an list of Samson's life. Samson was the son of Manoah of Zorah and of the tribe of Dan. His birth was foretold to his parents by an angel. They were also told that he would be a Nazarite to God from the womb Iudg. 13:2-5,24). The Bible also says in Judg 3:24-25 that God blessed him and that the spirit of God began to stir him up while he was in Mahaneh Dan. From this list it can be observed that Samson was a man of unusual strength. In Hebrews 11:32 he was recognized as of the great men of faith. while Samson's time the philistines were suppressing the Israelites.
b) His leadership role and achievements
Samson's call and commission was mediated through his parents. agreeing to Judges 13:5 he was to start the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the philistines. As John Mazwell rightly points out, "despite his good start, Samson got himself into trouble many times, and in the end he closed poorly: he was weak, blind and enslaved by the enemy from whom he was supposed to deliver his people."24 Samson had the opportunity of becoming a great leader but his despicable character destroyed his leadership.
Conclusion
Three categories of leaders have been examined in this lesson to prove that the citizen that God called to leadership in the Bible were always ready for their tasks. The first class of leaders were those whose call came as a surprise to them. The second were those who were mentored by their predecessor and the third, were those who responded to a crisis. It was proved that all of these leaders had some form of preparing principal for their singular calling. These preparations may come from God, their parents, religious background, formal schooling or a mentor. Therefore one could terminate that God does not call any man to leadership who had not been prepared. God's call or one preparing does not guarantee success because the preparing for efficient leadership does not end with one's call.
End Notes
1 Eims Leroy, Be The Leader You Were Meant To Be Illinois: Victor Books, 1982), pp 8-13
2 Gottfied Osei-Mensah, Wanted: slave Leadership (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990), pp 24-32
3 Howard F. Vos. Moses: The New Unger's Bible Dictionary (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982), p 886.
4 John C. Maxwell, The 21 Most superior Minutes In a Leader's Day: Revitalizing Your Spirit and Empowering your Leadership (Nashville: Thomas \nelson Publishers, 2000), p. 300.
5 John D. Hannah, Exodus: The Bible Knowledge annotation (Colorado: Chariot Victor Publishers, 1985), p 112.
6 Ibid, P 121.
7 Ted W. Engstrom, The production of A Christian Leader: How to develop management and human relations skills (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), P 29.
8 D.A. Hubbard, Pentateuch: The New Bible Dictionary (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982), p 903.
9 Oswald J. Sanders, Paul the Leader: A vision for Christian Leadership Today (Eastboume: Kingsway Publication Ltd., 1982), pp 16/17.
10 Ibid, p 17
11 Ibid, p 19
12 Oswald J. Sanders, Spiritual Leadership (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980), p 40.
13 Ted E. Engstrom, The production of Christian Leader: How To develop management and Human Relations Skills (Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), p 20.
14 David W. Bennett, Leadership Images From The New Testament: A Practical Guide (Carlisle: Om Publishers, 1998), pp 33/4
15 Ted W. Engstrom, The production of a Christian Leader: How to develop management and human relations skill (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), p 30
16 Donald K. Campbell, Joshua: The Bible Knowledge annotation (Colorado: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1984), p 326.
17 Ibid, P 328.
18 John C. Maxwell, The 21 Most superior Minutes In A Leader's Day: Revitalize Your Spirit and empower Your Leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982), p 67.
19 E. McChesney and Merrill F. Unger, Samuel: The New Unger's Bible Dictionary (Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1982), P 1121.
20 Eugene H. Merrill, Samuel: The Bible Knowledge annotation (Colorado: Chariot Victor Publishing, 1985), P 431.
21 John C. Maxwell, The 21 Most superior dinky in a Leader's Day: Revitalize Your spirit and Empower Your Leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000), p
22 Joyce Peel, A Journey through The Old Testament: The story of God's association with man. Woman and the world (Oxford: The Reading Fellowship, 1993), p 60
23 Ibid, p 60
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