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Biblical Leadership Themes of the Old Testament

Introduction When people think about the Bible, they usually think of God and Jesus. Many do not realize that the Bible, including the Old Testament (OT), is the unfolding story of Jesus Christ and His messianic message. In the beginning, it is evident that Jesus the Son is the creator of man, alongside God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:26, English Standard Version). As the story in the Book of Genesis begins to unfold, the first foretelling of Jesus’s coming is in Genesis 3:15, when God mentions that “…he will bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15, ESV). In the OT, the Bible continues to echo the many prophetic messages of the coming of a Messiah that will save and rescue the people of God (Num. 24:17; Pss. 72:10-11; Isa. 9:6; Jer. 31:15; Dan. 9:25-26; Mic. 5:2; Hos. 11:1, ESV). As the story of the OT progresses, it tells of unlikely heroes used for God's glory. First, the OT tells of the father of all Israel, Abraham, who is chosen to lead His people to become a great nation (Gen. 12:1, ESV). Then, the youngest child of Isaac, Joseph, is used by God to bless his family and provide them with land in Egypt so that they do not die during a famine (Gen. 45:5-8, ESV). As the story of the OT unfolds, there are many other implausible heroes, such as Moses, Gideon, David, Noah, and many more. Throughout the OT, some themes are established within these characters and demonstrate His absolute leadership. 1 Countless leadership themes are established in Theology for the Everyday Leader . Although there is not one leadership theme overbearingly greater than the others, this essay will examine three of the most prevalent. The essay will evaluate the success of God's chosen leaders, the humility within OT leaders, and how God holds all His servants accountable. 1 Benjamin K. Forrest and Chet Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader . (Grand Rapids, MI.: Kregal Publications, 2017), 30.

God’s Leaders Succeed In Romans 8:31, Paul states, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31, ESV). Forrest and Roden explain that God's leaders are appointed not only by Him but also for His purposes. God's ultimate purpose for the people of Israel is to love God and each other, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 22:37-39. Forrest and Roden express that obedience to God's declared will is one of the highlighting principles of the leaders chosen by God. 2 It is through obedience when Israel’s leaders are successful. In Joseph's life, it is apparent that he lived through many hardships, but as stated in Genesis 50:20, he was able to serve his family and many others by following God's will. 3 The famine in Egypt became so great that many foreigners traveled there for provisions. Even after wrongful imprisonment, he could carefully discern his dreams and store enough grain for many people. By fulfilling God's will, there was a success in the years of famine for the Egyptians, the Jews, and all the neighboring nations who benefited from the stored-up grain. In the story of Joshua, he is introduced as the "servant of Moses" (Josh. 1:1). He is eventually converted into the "servant of Yahweh" (Josh. 24:29). 4 Upon Moses's death, Joshua is tasked with leading the Jewish people across the Jordan river and into the land of milk and honey. It is no easy feat, and Joshua and the Jewish people suffer some setbacks from time to time. Once Joshua and the Jewish people are settled in the Promised Land, his loyalty to the Lord is established, he gives his final message of obedience to the Lord, and he is finally recognized as a servant of the Lord. 5 Although receiving a specific title was not why Joshua obeyed God, it is a testament to his love for God. Godly Leaders are Humble 2 Forrest and Roden. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader, 43. 3 Ibid . 44. 4 Ibid . 82. 5 Ibid . 85.

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