Question: Who is a biblical paradigm of a virtuous leader?

Like many believers, I read through the Bible a couple of times each year. The first books I go through each year are Job and Genesis. In Genesis, one of the most important leaders we see is Joseph. Joseph is an amazing case study in biblical leadership in several ways:

• Joseph’s integrity was not for sale
• Joseph keeps short accounts with God
• Though betrayed by those ostensibly closest to him, Joseph remembers the ultimate prize
• Joseph honors God in his daily life
• Joseph does not settle for temporary glitter but aims for eternal gold
• Joseph seeks the welfare of others at his own expense

Just one example from Joseph’s life:

Joseph, though earlier lied about and betrayed by his brothers, and then sold to Ishmaelites and brought to Egypt, was sustained by God, and put in positions of authority. Why? “The LORD was with Joseph” (Genesis 39:2). The rest of Genesis 39:2 says that Joseph “became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” Verse 3 always strikes me in its wisdom: “His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” Joseph’s pagan boss “left all that he had in Joseph’s care, and because of him [Joseph] he had no concern about anything but the food he ate” (Genesis 39:6).

Encouragement: I have had several men who have impacted my years in the Army. One of them has said something to me several times that remains with me and that reminds me of Joseph. He said, “We have two files in the Army—the official file (our experience/OERs/NCOERs/education, etc.) but then we have our ‘street file’ (our reputation).”

Joseph’s official file and his street file were aligned; they were congruent. Why? Because his integrity was not for sale. He maintained short accounts with the Lord because he knew his ultimate commander and evaluator.