Last week I gave an example of a politician who did not lead well because he did not serve well due to a lack of integrity and honesty. Our society needs trustworthy, courageous, moral leaders. Do you consider yourself a leader? If not, why not? Everyone leads in some way. No matter what your age is or what your sphere of influence includes, you have some type of responsibility and people who look up to you in various ways. Thus, it’s worth considering how to lead effectively.
This week I read a short account in the Bible of Josiah, a king of Judah around 641 BC. Even though he became king at the age of eight, he quickly surpassed his father and grandfather in being a strong, moral leader who served well. He demonstrated leadership in several ways which I would like to highlight. But before I do, I encourage you to take ten minutes and read about Josiah in 2 Chronicles chapter 34 in the Bible. As you read, write down leadership qualities that you notice in Josiah. That way you will have a proper context, since my commentary only highlights details about Josiah. Also you may notice qualities which I overlook.
Principles of Leadership from King Josiah
In contrast to his father and grandfather, Josiah did what was right in God’s eyes and led the nation of Judah away from idolatry and back to worshipping the one and only, true God. Following are seven leadership qualities I see in Josiah and desire to apply in my life.
- A leader seeks God, realizing it’s never too early or too late to do so. Josiah began seeking God at age eight. This foundation gave him the wisdom, direction, and courage to begin purging the land of toxic idolatry when he was only twelve years old. As a corollary, it is never too late to seek God either. No matter what your age is or experiences have been, now is the time to seek God. If you don’t know God or have strayed from following him, you can have a right relationship with him by confessing any wrongdoing, trusting in Jesus, God the Son, to save you, receiving his forgiveness, and asking him to help you live rightly every day.
- A leader does not let previous mistakes define or derail them. Josiah’s grandfather and father did not seek God and led Judah in evil practices which caused harm, bondage, and destruction. Wisely, Josiah did not conform to the pattern of rebellion that his grandfather and father established. He did not excuse himself from the responsibility to do what is right, even if it went against tradition or popular practices.
- A leader serves and does what is right despite the personal cost. Although Josiah did not know all the ways of God, he knew idolatry was wrong. He acted on the truth he did know by spending six teenage years personally going throughout the kingdom getting rid of all the idols and altars. He even ground to dust the bones of the dead, false priests in an effort to thoroughly purge the land. Josiah did not let what he didn’t know, or the questions he may have had, prevent him from moving forward with what he did know. Once he removed improper worship, Josiah began reinstating the process of proper worship by having the neglected house of God repaired.
- A leader listens with a desire to correct what’s wrong and improve what’s right. When the neglected words of God’s law were found and read to Josiah, he was shaken to his core. He understood, felt responsible for, grieved, and apologized for how his people had strayed from God. Furthermore, he asked for clarification and direction regarding God’s word of judgement from the prophetess, Huldah. Josiah pondered God’s word, sought to interpret it, and then looked to apply it to his life and that of his people. It reminds me of the command God gave Joshua whom he had chosen centuries earlier to lead the nation of Israel into the land he promised them. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9).
- A leader takes personal responsibility. When confronted with the nation’s sin, Josiah could have looked for a scapegoat. He could have justified himself, by claiming it was not his fault or by rationalizing that he has done more good than bad. But the sin still needed to be dealt with. Josiah responded the way we all should regarding wrongdoing. He humbled himself before God, took responsibility, confessed, wept, and grieved.
- A leader prays and humbly relies on God in times of blessing and need. God saw and heard Josiah’s repentance and told Josiah that in his mercy he would postpone the judgment of the nation’s sin until after Josiah died. During his reign Josiah looked to God for forgiveness, for guidance, for wisdom, and for power to obey.
- A leader is committed to a worthwhile cause and inspires people toward something better. The first time Josiah heard God’s word, it was read to him. But when he reinstated proper worship of God amongst the people, Josiah himself read God’s word to the people. Then he made a personal covenant before God and all the people to follow God and keep his commandments. As a benevolent king and righteous servant leader, Josiah desired for all of Judah to prosper. He modeled making a commitment to God to inspire the people of Judah. He knew that they also needed to trust and obey God for it is the only way the nation (or anyone) can experience abundant life from God.
Conclusion
Josiah is one of many leaders in the Bible we can learn from like Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, Deborah, David, Esther, Daniel, Peter, and Paul just to name a few. Did you observe any leadership skills from Josiah that I overlooked? If so, I’d enjoy hearing from you about them. You can contact me through the lightrunner.org website.
Although it may seem paradoxical, to lead rightly requires following and serving. A great leader follows the one an only great God. From that divine relationship they learn the humility, virtue, wisdom, courage, and power to lead others to follow God, which is the greatest relationship and pursuit anyone can experience. This leadership is marked by principles we just examined and is demonstrated by laying down one’s life in love and service to those around them.
This may seem beyond your grasp. But it is not. Jesus makes it possible. Jesus, God the Son who became a man to save the world, led by following and serving (Ephesians 2). Out of love, Jesus did and said all that God the Father commanded him (Philippians 2:5-11; John 4:34 , 5:19, 6:38, 15:10, 17:1-5). He didn’t act on his own. He didn’t come to be served, but to serve and to lay down his life for others (Matthew 20:25-28; John 1:29, 10:7-18). Jesus is the greatest leader (Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 1:4-6). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). By leading rightly, he made it possible for you to do the same (John 20:21; Matthew 28:18-20). If you trust and obey Jesus, he enables you to live rightly with God, to lead, and to serve so others can find new, transcendent life with God now and forever (2 Corinthians 5:11-21; John 14:19).