Wise Leaders

Then Moses said to the LORD, "O LORD, You are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Please appoint a new man as leader for the community. Give them someone who will guide them wherever they go and will lead them into battle, so the community of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd." The LORD replied, "Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. (Numbers 27:15-18 NLT)

Moses is getting ready to leave this life and go to be face to face with God full time.  It will be, for him, like going home to an old friend.  No one else had the kind of relationship with God that Moses had.  They were close.  They had traveled through life together.

Jesus had an even closer relationship with the Father.  He would spend hour after hour in prayer.  The Father showed up at Jesus' baptism to tell everyone how pleased He was.  The Father spoke to him face to face.  Yes, Jesus was closer to God than anyone else who has ever lived.

Even in his relationship, though, Jesus submitted to the authority of God.  He would state that he spoke only what the Father told him to say.  Before ascending into heaven, he stated that "all authority" had been given to him.  While here, Jesus stayed subject to the Father.

Moses had great authority as well, but he always knew that authority came from the LORD.  He only had the power to do what the LORD told him to do.  He had to pay attention to the details.  When he didn't, it cost him dearly.

Joshua was going to be the new leader now.  He would receive the authority to lead.

Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. (Numbers 27:20 NLT)

But he wasn't given authority to lead in any way he wanted.  He, like Moses and Jesus, would be subject to the LORD.

When direction from the LORD is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the LORD—to determine His will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do." (Numbers 27:21 NLT)

No matter who you are, your authority is always subject to the LORD.  He has the final say.

Wise leaders understand this and seek His wisdom before they act.  Do you?