2.3.9 "Godly Leadership Principles"

"Godly Leadership Principles"

Exodus 17:8-19:15
Matthew 22:34-23:12
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 6:27-35

There are a couple of stories in today's reading that have been the source of many books on leadership. It's difficult to reduce the treasure of content down to a morning devotional.

The first story is the story of Moses, Aaron and Hur and the battle with the Amalekites. You may remember this from sunday school classes. The story is that Moses & Aaron and Hur were on a hill overlooking the battle. "And as long as Moses held up the rod in his hands, Israel was winning. Moses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the rod any longer; so Aaron and Hur rolled a stone for him to sit on, and they stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset. As a result, Joshua and his troops crushed the army of Amalek, putting them to the sword." Ex. 17:11-13

Here's a few principles from this one.
-Wherever you are at, you have a leader.
-Your number one job is to make your leader successful.
-What can you do to roll a stone and help lift the arms of your leader?
-Notice that Aaron and Hur did not take the "rod" themselves. Sometimes it's in our nature to want to grab the rod and run with our own agenda. We must meet the need of our leader, not usurp the authority.

The next story deals with some of the same principles, but from a different angle.

Moses' father-in-law, Jethro is visiting, and notices how much time Moses was spending listening to people's complaints. He asked why he was trying to do this alone. "'Well, because the people come to me with their disputes, to ask for God's decisions,' Moses told him. 'I am their judge, deciding who is right and who is wrong, and instructing them in God's ways. I apply the laws of God to their particular disputes.'

"'It's not right!' his father-in-law exclaimed. 'You're going to wear yourself out - and if you do, what will happen to the people? Moses, this job is too heavy a burden for you to try to handle all by yourself. Now listen, and let me give you a word of advice, and God will bless you: Be these people's lawyer - their representative before God - bringing him their questions to decide; you will tell them his decisions, teaching them God's laws, and showing them the principles of godly living.

"'Find some capable, godly, honest men who hate bribes, and appoint them as judges, one judge for each 1000 people; he in turn will have ten judges under him, each in charge of a hundred; and under each of them will be two judges each responsible for the affairs of fifty people; and each of these will have five judges beneath him, each counseling ten person. Let these men be responsible to serve the people with justice at all times. Anything that is too important or complicated can be brought to you. But the smaller matters they can take care of themselves. That way it will be easier for you because you will share the burden with them. If you follow this advice, and if the Lord agrees, you will be able to endure the pressures, and there will be peace and harmony in the camp." Ex. 19:15-23

Here are a few of the many principles from this one:
-Wherever you are, you have leadership responsibilities.
-Each one of us has a unique "intensity" of responsibility, but we are all responsible for someone nonetheless.
-We must be good stewards of our responsibilities.
-We must be careful with "stress". We can't let things get to the point where we are worn out.
-HOWEVER, notice that in dealing with the stress according to Jethro's plan, Moses doesn't shirk the responsibility. In other words, he doesn't quit. He is STILL responsible for all of the people. Too often people feel the stress coming on, and they "pull back". That's not really a godly principle. in other words,
-God doesn't call us to do "less", he calls us to do "more" properly.
-If you are at the "edge" as far as what you feel you can handle, you probably want to back off. You are actually more than likely in the place to "step it up" a bit. Sounds crazy doesn't it?
-Many times our responsibilities increase for the purpose of us raising others up to be who God has created them to be.
-Don't just delegate to make life easier on yourself. Delegate for the purpose of meeting the need better. Notice how much more the justice is available to the people when there are more involved in the leadership process.
-As you delegate responsibilities (whether it's to your kids, or high levels in a corporation) make sure that you take the time to qualify the people for the job. Moses was instructed to find "capable, godly, honest men" to do this. There were qualifications. To not do it this way can lead to trouble down the road.

There are many more things to be pulled from that story, but for the sake of time, i need to jump to the last story.

"Then Jesus said to the crowds, and to his disciples, 'You would think these Jewish leaders and these Pharisees were Moses, the way they keep making up so many laws! And of course you should obey their every whim! It may be all right to do what they say, but above anything else, don't follow their example. For they don't do what they tell you to do." Matt. 21:1-3

The following verses go on to talk more about hypocritical leadership. The points from this are important to get as well:
-Notice that Jesus commands them to follow the instructions of the leadership, even if it seems it is poor leadership. This is very hard for people to understand. Most people feel that a leader's mistake negates the necessity to submit to their leadership.
-When there is a mistake or poor leadership, obey what you can, but take note to not follow the example.

This story is wrapped up in verse 11. "The more lowly your service to others, the greater you are. To be the greatest, be a servant. But those who think themselves great shall be disappointed and humbled; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted."

-Be a servant leader

Does all of this have anything to do with Living the DREAM? Absolutely! These leadership lessons have to do with Relationships Devoted to Unity (submission) and Active Ministry Involvement (Responsibility), and the element of discipline that is applied to study these principles is Empowered Through Biblical Training. The truth of God's word needs to invade our very being and transform us in Godly leadership.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


Dynamic Lifestyle of Worship
Relationships Devoted to Unity
Empowered Through Biblical Training
Active Ministry Involvement
Mission to Reach our World for Christ