Next we see that Joshua was commissioned in front of all the people. This act of commissioning allows the minister to be recognized by the congregation as a leader. Today, different religious traditions commission their leaders differently. Though it is not in the scope of this lesson to discuss commissioning forms, it is important that the emerging leader knows that point in time when their church's leadership recognizes their gift of leadership. This might be as obvious as when the emerging leader is ordained, or as subtle as the church quietly supporting the emerging leader's ministry.
Finally, Joshua consulted Eleazar the priest. It is important for the emerging leader to stay closely connected to their church's leadership in a relationship that will provide spiritual guidance, as well as spiritual accountability. This should apply to their personal life as well, including their family relationships, the way they are managing their time, and how they are planning for the future. It would be best that an accountability or spiritual formation relationship be with someone outside their leadership sphere of influence to maintain objectivity. As leaders, we need to take the time to monitor every aspect of our or inner life with friends who can be trusted to keep the information to themselves and for their wisdom and discernment.
Let's study Moses' qualifications for leadership in Ex 3:7-12
"And the Lord said, 'I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. And now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppression them. Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? And He said 'Certainly I will be with you, and this shalt be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt you shall worship God at this mountain."
Moses' question "Who am I?" reveals his recognition that neither his relationship with Pharaoh and other Egyptian leaders nor his excellent education in Pharaoh's house were sufficient qualifications to complete God's plans for him and for Israel. Also notice that God did not tailor His plan according to Moses' abilities (neither his inabilities); God established His plan independent of Moses. When Moses tries to back out of the responsibility that God placed on him, God effectively tells Moses, "This is not about you; it is about Me working in you." Everything that Moses needed to lead Israel, God provided. God continues to call His leaders out of their inability into His extraordinary ability.
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Experiencing Worship, The Study