For those that have been following my blog, I apologize for not posting in a month.  I am retiring from the Army after 21 years of service and I’ve discovered job hunting is also a full time job.  I hope to be more consistent in the future.  Now, let us continue our journey through the scripture for what it means to be a Biblical shepherd.

In the verses above Moses is coming to the end of leading the Israelites for 40 years in the Wilderness.  In a previous post I mentioned how Moses has invested in Joshua and groomed him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.  Deuteronomy 1 tells us God had already identified Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan, but God states this after Joshua, Caleb, and the ten unfaithful spies return.  Even though he has groomed Joshua, Moses realizes it is still God’s choice.  So Moses entreats the Lord to name a successor.  It is interesting to note that Moses asks the Lord to provide a leader that is like a shepherd.  Joshua has already been serving as the military leader of the Israelites.  Now he will be required to lead the Israelites in all aspects of their lives as well as conquer (most) of Canaan.  Though this is a short passage, we can take several lessons from it. Ah, the wonders of God’s Word.

First, Moses emphasizes the importance of a shepherding leadership style.  I have read many secular books on leadership.  Any number of them define leadership styles in a variety of ways.    Admittedly, I have not read as many spiritual books on leadership.  However, from what I have read it seems only the Bible describes God’s leaders as shepherds and, as we can see, God does it early in scripture.  Seems to me the shepherd’s leadership style is important to God, which means it should be important to us to understand all that it entails.  We are probably spending time in futile efforts if all we do is study the world’s models and styles.

Second, Moses very simply describes the shepherd’s leadership.  He is to go out ( literally ” go before ” ) those he leads.  In other words he is to be visibly leading.  His followers have to know he is leading from the front and leading by example.  I have no experience as a literal shepherd with a flock of sheep.  However, from what I have observed the shepherd is always within sight of his flock and he never lets them wander beyond his ability to keep them safe, secure, cared for, and on the right path.  Sound like something we should be doing?

Third, at first glance the next part of the verse, “come in before them”, may seem to contradict the meaning of the first.    Is Moses saying lead from the front, lead by example, and also lead from behind?  Is he saying the shepherd should be the first to settle in for the night?  I have to believe the answer to these questions is a resounding NO.  So what is Moses saying?  I admit, I am not 100% sure but let me at least offer something to think about by way of example.

My first real deployment occurred in the mid-90s.  One of our leaders served as the operations officer for the unit.  The guy never slept.  He used to say he would sleep when he was dead.  The problem was in a very short amount of time he was so exhausted he became incoherent, volatile, and ineffective.  I have known other leaders, particularly military leaders, that ran themselves into the ground, literally exhausting themselves trying to accomplish a mission.

The principle of rest is what I think Moses is addressing.  Moses speaks with the voice of experience, knowing the toll it takes on your physical, emotional, and spiritual condition when leading a rebellious, complaining, ungrateful, selfish people for 40 years and how time and time again as a leader Moses intercedes for the people, administers God’s punishment, or observes God’s punishment.  Moses deals with rebellion from within and threats to the Israelites’ existence from without.  Not to mention Moses is 80 when he starts leading.  Though obviously blessed with long life and good health, all of the factors must have combined to thoroughly exhaust Moses.  Moses also realizes the campaign to conquer Canaan will be long and arduous, a marathon and not a sprint.  Moses knows it will take a man of courage that leads from the front to accomplish God’s purpose, as well as a man wise enough to know when to take a step back and set the example of rest, including honoring God on the Sabbath.  A rested leader is an effective leader.

So my fourth and final point is this.  Today’s shepherds of Gods people, many of whom balance their shepherd’s role with family and secular jobs, would do well to heed God’s warning.  I am fortunate in my congregation not to have to deal with the trials Moses had to deal with from the people he led.  Let’s face the fact though that every congregation has its warts, and there are times when those warts need a lot of attention.  However, they are worth it.  Over time Moses went from calling the Israelites God’s people to calling them his people.  He took responsibility for them, trials and all.  As shepherds today we are called to do the same for God’s people, to lead them courageously, and to be rested enough to have the stamina to effectively lead them through their own Wildernesses.   God’s children deserve such leadership, don’t they?

May your blessings exceed mine today and all your days. – DEM