The Importance of Succession

“And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10

In 2010, the Wall Street Journal reported that 3M stock rose over $2 per share simply because they announced that they had a succession plan in place for their soon-to-retire CEO. The article went on to say that while 98% of global companies believe that succession planning is crucial, only 35% actually have plans in place to ensure that there is no crisis of leadership or loss of momentum when their companies lose their leaders.

Many years earlier, Israel suffered a similar fate. Moses was the greatest leader Israel had ever seen (Deuteronomy 34:10) and he prepared Joshua to step in and lead the people when he died (Deuteronomy 34:9). Yet, Joshua did not do the same. The result? There was an entire generation of Israelites who did not know God, nor all He had done for their people. If you continue reading in the book of Judges, you will find a thorough examination of what happens when a nation forgets God. It is not pretty.

My question for you to consider, Christ follower, is this: “What are you doing to ensure that the next generation knows and understands the love, grace, mercy, holiness and justice of God?” As a Christ follower, you have a responsibility to see the Gospel of Jesus as a sacred trust and as a result, share this message of hope with others (Matthew 28:19-20). There ought to be a “Gospel truth chain reaction” in your life (II Timothy 2:2). May Judges 2:10 never come true again.

-Pastor Mike