Developing Kingdom Leaders – Tom Yeakley

Transitioning Leadership

The LORD replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. 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.” So Moses did as the LORD commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the LORD had commanded through Moses. Numbers 27:18-23 NLT

Note that the above commissioning of Joshua was God’s initiative and probably occurred sometime during the final year of the 40-year pilgrimage in the desert. Joshua had been Moses’ assistant for these past years in the desert, but now it was time for him to begin to assume the mantel of leadership. We can observe the following from this transition:

1. The transition from Moses to Joshua’s leadership was a process, not a single event. Here in Numbers 27, we see that Moses was to transfer ‘some of his authority’ to Joshua so that he can lead Israel (vs. 20). The final step in this transition would happen just before Moses died (see Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1).
2. There was a ceremony to mark in the eyes of all the transition of leadership and authority.
3. The former leader, Moses, and Joshua, the new leader, made this ceremony a spiritual event as it was done in the presence of Eleazar the priest.
4. Joshua now assumed some duties and authority from Moses as the recognized ‘leader apparent,’ becoming the sole leader with the final personal commissioning and Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 31).

Moses was a faithful servant of God, but he could not lead Israel forever. At the appropriate time, he gave his leadership away, ascended Mt. Nebo, and finished his race. Spiritual leadership is a privilege, not a right. God-honoring leaders will intentionally prepare their successor and transition their authority with forethought. They will know when to hand over their responsibilities, not over-staying their leadership contribution or clinging to their ‘right to lead.’

Remember, there is a difference between role and contribution. Leadership roles come with titles and organizational authority. They come and they go. But contribution and influence in the Kingdom is determined by God as He guides and directs us and is not limited to any title or role. Seek contribution, not titles.