73. Leadership Secrets: 8. Joshua: Succession Planning

This week we turn to the next leader of the Old Testament of the Bible, Joshua. As we have been reading about Moses, we notice that Joshua was always in the background. While Moses was leading, Joshua was comfortable in helping Moses.

Exodus 24:13 - So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

Moses brought Joshua around to help in all that he did.

Exodus 33:11 - So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

What can we learn here? Moses was aware he will not last forever. He will need to groom someone to take his place someday. That someone was Joshua.

Learning point 1: Are we like Moses? Do we prepare someone to take our place as leaders one day? Or do we have the god complex that may say one of two things:

There's just so much to do, there's no time to identify someone and train that person; or
I'll be fine, I don't need to look for a replacement or a successor. The right person will turn up when he/she is needed.

If we think the above, we are only deceiving ourselves.

Look at Moses, for 40 years, Joshua was serving him by his side, learning the ropes, catching the vision, being by his side.

And when the time comes….

Joshua 1:1–2 - After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ aassistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.

Learning point 2

Are we like Joshua? Serving the leader in humility, learning in obedience. When the time comes, when you are ready, the mantle will be passed on to you.

Conclusion

Prepare a successor… you know that you will not last forever, why not have a plan in store? And in the process, become a mentor, and guide someone to fulfil his/her potential in your committee or organisation!