What does the Bible say about leadership? The Bible can be used as a textbook for leadership because it can be seen as a history of God raising those who led his people according to his will.[1] This paper will explain the biblical history of three leaders and their unique characteristics that reflect a biblical philosophy of leadership.
I. JOSHUA’S EXAMPLE OF GROWTH IN GOD’S WORD
The example of Joshua displays the growth of a leader in God’s Word. That growth started in the book of Deuteronomy. Addressing the nation of Israel Moses declared,
“Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4–9, New Living Translation).
The book of Deuteronomy is characterized by this statement by Moses known as the “Shema” which is named after the Hebrew word שָׁמַע for “hear” in verse 4. In addition to the Shema there are eight other passages in Deuteronomy affirming a similar message of whole hearted devotion to grow in God’s Word.[2] The Shema is seen as the fundamental dogma of the Old Testament and was identified by Christ in Mark 12:29-30 as the most important of all of the commandments.[3] The importance of the Shema for the Israelites was that they were to love their God with their whole being (intellect, emotions, will, etc.).
Joshua, as Moses’ assistant (Joshua 1:1) and servant of the Lord (24:29) was given the task of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and was entrusted to lead Israel in obedience and growth in God’s Word.[4] Joshua, as Israel’s new leader, highlighted God’s call for Israel to be God’s holy Word.[5] Joshua emphasized and encouraged the people of Israel to keep growing in the Word of God in several ways. Among his first words to Israel as its new leader Joshua said, “Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left” (Joshua 1:7). He continued, “Study this book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it” (Joshua 1:8). These introductory remarks from Joshua are the first of what he would restate three more times throughout his time as Israel’s leader (12:32; 22:5; 23:6). In this way, Joshua was commanding the people of Israel to grow in the Word of God and to become more and more holy to God.
With Joshua’s example of a Godly leader growing in God’s word and encouraging others to grow it is clear that a requirement for a leader is a passion for God and his Word. In his book, Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders states, “Spiritual leaders of every generation will have a consuming passion to know the Word of God through diligent study and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.”[6] Sanders continues, “The leader who intends to grow spiritually and intellectually will be reading constantly.”[7] Just as Joshua encouraged the people he led to “be very careful to follow everything Moses wrote in the Book of Instruction” (Joshua 23:6) so also must God’s leaders of today. Living out Joshua’s statement means that reading is required of the leaders God choses. Reading the Scriptures in order to grow is what Paul encouraged Timothy to do when he wrote, “Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them” (1 Timothy 4:13). This reading of the Scriptures refers to the public reading of the Old Testament.[8] The same Book of Instruction introduced by Moses and implemented by Joshua was still being read and followed more than 1,400 years later. The concept of daily devotion to the Word of God as a way to mold and grow a leader is essential. With technology the method of growth can look very different for each leader based on his preference, but the thing that must not be different in a leader’s devotion to God’s Word.
II. NEHEMIAH’S EXAMPLE OF PERSISTENCE IN THE DIRECTION OF GOD’S GOALS
Nehemiah, a leader living in the fourth and fifth centuries B.C., received a vision from God but also encountered opposition when attempting to implement that vision. In his time the walls and gates of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt because the people of the city needed security against their enemies[9] as well as a method to keep the Jews as a separate and holy people from foreigners. Both of these were critical problems to the Jewish population,[10] and Nehemiah needed to be persistent to overcome them.
The first sign of Nehemiah’s persistence was that he was prepared. When the king asked Nehemiah why he looked sad and what was wrong with him, Nehemiah was prepared for the opportunity to do something. He replied, “How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire” (Neh 2:3). When the king offered to help, Nehemiah was prepared with his proposition about what he could do to help his ancestors saying, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried” (Neh 2:5). Based on Nehemiah’s responses to the king it is clear that Nehemiah had prepared himself well. He asked for a specific amount of time to complete the project (Neh 2:7), authorization for passage to Judah (Neh 2:7), and for the materials he needed (Neh 2:8).[11]
After Nehemiah had completed half of the walls’ height all the way around the city of Jerusalem, Nehemiah 4:7-8 tells of how Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdoites all made plans to fight Nehemiah and his people. Nehemiah showed persistence toward the vision God gave him by praying: “But we prayed to our God and he guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves” (4:9). As if this was not enough trouble for Nehemiah, opposition to God’s work arose from within the people Nehemiah was working with (Neh 4:10), his enemies continued to plot against him (Neh 4:11), and as a result the Jews working on the wall became greatly afraid (Neh 4:12). However, Nehemiah responded in a way that showed how persistent he was in attempting to complete the work God led him to do. He acted by placing guards to protect the people (Neh 4:13), and he spoke with conviction about continuing the work (Neh 4:14). In light of these events in Nehemiah’s story it is clear that he squarely faced opposition regardless of it was from the people working with him or from an outside enemy.[12]
Yet again, opposition occurred from the local people who were loaning money to the Jews working with Nehemiah (Neh 5:1-5). What was being done to people rebuilding the walls was a violation of the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 15:1-18; 24:10-13 (the same law Joshua worked so hard to implement and regularly encouraged the Israelites to obey). Nehemiah stood strong against the people taking advantage of his workers. He stated that what they were doing was not right and that they should stop (Neh 5:7-11). In this circumstance Nehemiah displayed courage which is a requirement for a leader who has persistence. Courage is defined as “that quality of mind that enables people to encounter danger or difficulty firmly, without fear of discouragement.”[13] Tremendous courage was required by Nehemiah to stand in opposition to his enemies in order to persist toward God’s goal. When persisting towards a goal a courageous leader must face unpleasant and difficult situations with composure. Then, he must act decisively even if the action is unpopular.[14] A leader must rest assured that his work is to and for God, for he is working toward the goal God has given him.
The strongest opposition against Nehemiah and his work involved threats to his life. Nehemiah’s enemies, Sanballat and Geshem, found out Nehemiah’s work was almost complete, so they sent threatening letters to him. Nehemiah resolutely replied, “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Neh 6:3) as well as “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing” (Neh 6:8). Nehemiah finally concluded that, “I continued to work with even greater determination” (Neh 6:9). Nothing could stop him from doing the work God had directed him to do.
Only a short time later Nehemiah encountered opposition that would test his persistence in reaching the goal God had given him. Someone falsely claimed to have received a word from God and told Nehemiah he should hide in the temple. Nehemiah’s response shows his persistence toward the goal when he said, “Should someone in my position run from dangers? Should someone in my position enter the temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it! (Neh 6:11). Nehemiah knew that hiding in the temple would greatly discredit him (Neh 6:13), so he stayed outside knowing the he must ensure that the work continued.
With the walls and gates of the city of Jerusalem finished, Nehemiah again encountered opposition to his overall mission of keeping the people of Jerusalem as a holy and separate people. Because Nehemiah was focused on restoring religious practices and a holy community of people, he continued to persist towards God’s goal, even after the walls and gates were rebuilt. However, Nehemiah learned about four evils (Neh 13:4-5, 10-11, 15, 23-24) that were preventing the Jews from remaining a separate and holy people. These evils led Nehemiah to purify and reform what the people were doing. More than 12 years had passed since Nehemiah’s work to rebuild the walls and gates (Neh 2:1 and 13:6), yet he was still persisting toward God’s goal of having the people be a holy community distinct from foreigners and devoted to God (Neh 13:30-31). This segment of Nehemiah’s leadership shows the patience he had. How does a leader display patience with the people he leads? He does this by not getting too far ahead of the people he leads because it discourages them. He must stay close enough to them that they can see him and hear his call forward.[15] Leadership requires patient persistence because it is the process of guiding people through challenges, transition, recovery, and new beginnings.[16]
Nehemiah has shown the requirement that a biblical leader be persistent. Similarly, Howard Hendricks described leaders as being focused like a laser beam, obsessed in their work, and having meaning with mission.[17] This was Nehemiah. He was focused like a laser beam, obsessed with getting the walls and gates rebuilt, and had meaning in his mission which God had led him to do.
III. JESUS’ EXAMPLE OF SERVANT LEADERSHIP
Among the many examples of servant leadership in the Bible Jesus provided the most vivid picture of what servant leadership should look like. Within the framework of Luke’s gospel the message of servant leadership is provided. Luke’s thinking in his Gospel is very God-centered[18] with a strong theological emphasis on the poor, tax collectors, sinners, Samaritans, Gentiles, women, and outcasts.[19]
When some of the disciples had been arguing about which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24) Jesus decided that it was time to teach one more lesson to he beloved disciples. He told them,
“In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:25–27).
In this passage Jesus provided a description of what worldly leadership, is and what godly leadership is. In order to appropriately understand godly leadership, worldly leadership must be defined because they are sharply contrasted.
The New Living Translation uses the words “kings” and “great men” in verse 25 to describe the worldly leadership of Jesus’ culture. In this way Jesus reminded his disciples of two objectionable characteristics of the secular rules of his time: 1) lording power over others and 2) receiving the title of “benefactor.”[20] Jesus had to combat the aggressive and competitive nature of the disciples which showed them to be very selfish. When describing modern day leadership in his book, LeadershipNext, Eddie Gibbs writes, “Some individuals aspire to leadership out of a sense of adventure, while others do so for the satisfaction of being recognized and followed. For still others, being a leader strokes their ego. They imagine the power and privilege that a position of leadership brings.”[21] Like Jesus, Gibbs describes the same type of worldly leadership style that seeks self-preservation and self-escalation of power. When looking at Jesus’ description of servant leadership a very different picture emerges because he saw leadership as service and sacrifice.[22]
Jesus stated that, “Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant” (Luke 22:26). This verse shows that greatness in God’s kingdom is contrary to the world’s values because it involves serving rather than being served.[23] Self-serving action has no place in Jesus’ kingdom[24] because according to Jesus, the one who is truly the greatest is the one who serves.[25] Why? Jesus came to serve others by pouring out his blood as a sacrifice for those he loved. When pointing to this passage as the ideal passage for servant leadership, Andrew Seidel states that servant leadership is not motivated by personal power or gain but by the fulfillment of God’s purpose for both the organization and people in that organization.[26]
With his statement, “For I am among you as the one who serves” (Luke 22:27), Jesus wanted to place a spirit of servanthood on his disciples.[27] In that spirit of servanthood J. Oswald Sanders lists several qualities of our Lord that should also be embodied in servant leaders today:
- Dependence: Just as Jesus surrendered everything for his people a current leader also should “empty” himself;
- Modesty: A servant of God conducts a ministry that might appear self-effacing;
- Empathy: Jesus was sympathetic with the weak and merciful to those who err;
- Optimism: An essential quality for a leader in order to battle darkness; and
- Anointing: As the Holy Spirit came and rested on Jesus he will also rest on his leader.[28]
What does servant leadership look like in the 21st century? First, a servant leader is to be self-sacrificing rather than self-seeking, active and not passive. Second, he leads with the influence of example and relationship, not from position and pressure. Third, he exercises authority when necessary for progress toward the mission and not for personal gain. Fourth, he leads by personally being involved in caring for people and their needs, not demanding that his own needs are met. Finally, a servant leader gives direction, equips others for work, and uses his character and gifts for God’s Kingdom.[29]
IV. MY PLAN TO BE A BIBLICAL LEADER
A biblical philosophy of leadership consists of (but is not limited to) growth in God’s Word, persistence in the direction of God’s goals, and servant leadership. Thankfully, through the examples of Joshua, Nehemiah, and Jesus, there are patterns and paths I can follow to become a godly leader. I plan to continue reading four chapters of God’s Word every day, persisting towards God’s goal of a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership degree, and serving others for their benefit as a leader. With these three practices I hope that like Joshua, Nehemiah, and Jesus, I too can become a godly leader.
Bibliography
Arnold, Bill and H. G. M. Williamson. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
Coleson, Joseph. “Joshua,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Vol. 3, ed. Philip Comfort .Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012.
Gibbs, Eddie. LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
Hendricks, Howard. “Ten Common Factors in Leadership.” Unpublished class notes for SL305. Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2014.
Howard, David. An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1993.
Kouzes, James and Barry Posner. The Truth About Leadership: The No-Fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2010.
Longman, Tremper, III, and David E. Garland, eds. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition). Vol. 10. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007.
Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2007.
Seidel, Andrew. “Identity and Leadership.” Unpublished class notes for SL305. Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2014.
Seidel, Andrew. Charting a Bold Course: Training Leaders for the 21st Century. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2003.
Smith, Gary. “Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip Comfort. Vol. 5b. Carole Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2010.
Stein, Robert H. “Luke,” Vol. 24 in The New American Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Trites, Allison. “The Gospel of Luke, Acts,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip Comfort. Vol. 12. Carole Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2006.
Wolf, Herbert An Introduction to the Old Testament: Pentateuch. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1991.
[1] Andrew Seidel, Charting a Bold Course: Training Leaders for the 21st Century (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2003), 25.
[2] See Deuteronomy 4:29; 10:12; 11:13; 13:3; 26:16; 30:2, 6, 10. Herbert Wolf, An Introduction to the Old Testament: Pentateuch (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1991), 256.
[3] Wolf, Introduction to the Old Testament: Pentateuch, 256.
[4] David Howard, An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books, (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 1993), 67.
[5] Joseph Coleson, “Joshua,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, vol. 3, ed. Philip Comfort (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2012), 18.
[6] J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2007), 102.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Ibid., 101.
[9] Howard, Intro to Historical Books, 332.
[10] Gary Smith, “Ezra-Nehemiah, Esther,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip Comfort, vol. 5b, (Carole Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2010), 9.
[11] Howard, Intro to Historical Books, 340.
[12] Bill Arnold and H. G. M. Williamson, Dictionary of the Old Testament: Historical Books (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 722.
[13] Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 60.
[14] Ibid., 62.
[15] Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 69.
[16] James Kouzes and Barry Posner, The Truth About Leadership: The No-Fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2010), 93.
[17] Howard Hendricks, “Ten Common Factors in Leadership,” unpublished class notes for SL305 (Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2014).
[18] Allison Trites, “The Gospel of Luke, Acts,” in Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, ed. Philip Comfort, vol. 12, (Carole Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2006), 14.
[19] Stein, Robert H. “Luke,” vol. 24 in The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 49-50.
[20] Longman, Tremper, III, and David E. Garland, eds. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke–Acts (Revised Edition). Vol. 10. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007, 316.
[21] Eddie Gibbs, LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2005), 179.
[22] Ibid., 179.
[23] Stein, Luke, 550.
[24] Trites, “The Gospel of Luke,” 290.
[25] Longman and Garland, Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Luke-Acts, 316.
[26] Andrew Seidel, “Identity and Leadership,” unpublished class notes for SL305 (Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring Semester, 2014).
[27] Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 24.
[28] Ibid., 24-25.
[29] Seidel, Charting a Bold Course, 34.