Tag Archives: leadership

April 2, 2012

More Leadership in Numbers

By brian

In my last post, I wrote about my study in the Book of Numbers.  I love this stuff!  Let me reflect a little more about some leadership principles from Moses and the people as they spent time in the wilderness.

“Now the people complained about their hardship in hearing the Lord” (Numbers 11:1).   What?  Moses was hearing just fine. And all the people really had to do was watch the cloud over the tabernacle – right?  The pillar of cloud moved by day and fire by night.  So their only real job was to “watch.”  But they seem to be expressing some jealousy that Moses is the only guy “hearing God.”  They want a piece of the action.

And so for the first time since entering the wilderness, God’s anger was aroused.

The narrative moves on saying, “The rabble with them began to crave other food.”  I wonder who ‘the rabble’ were?  Just the grumblers?  Or trouble-makers?  And it now appears that their concerns have moved from their ears to their stomachs!  And something interesting happens next.

God is so angry with the people that Moses seems to snap.  Moses asks God, “Why have you brought this trouble to your servant?  What have I done to displease you that you put this burden of all the people on me?” (11:4).

Isn’t this interesting?  People grumble and Moses feels the burden.  I can truly relate to this.  But when it is Moses, I can easily say, “that is not your burden Mo’.  Give it back to God who is leading you!”  People grumbling can always be stressful times for leaders. But in this case, and many such similar times, the people are grumbling against God more than they are the leader.

It is amazing to see God’s response.  His solution for Moses is a mighty one.  He asks Moses to bring 70 elders to Him.  And at the tent of meeting God meets those leaders.  He spread the “spirit that was on Moses onto them” (11:16).  And here is the powerful phrase, “they will help you carry the burden of the people, so that you will not have to carry it alone.”

And so God spreads out the leadership gift but also the leadership “burden.”  Perhaps this is one of the chief reasons God saw fit for each church to have a multiplicity of elders and pastors?  The burden can become too much for the leader who has not learned to share and give away some of the responsibility.

If you are a leader (especially in a church) not doubt at some time you will feel that people are unhappy about something.  It is great to ask, “Is this a burden God wants me to feel or one that He solely wishes to handle?”  And it is also good to take advantage of the other leaders around you.  Solicit them to prayer.  Listen to them carefully.  Make sure that you use the tools God has provided.

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March 30, 2012

Leadership in Numbers

By brian

I think a lot about leadership.  It seems like so many organizations rise or fall on good leadership.  But since it is a hot topic of conversation, there are usually a myriad of different opinions about what constitutes “good leadership.”  For me, there is no better place to explore this than the Bible.

Recently, I have been listening to the Bible read out-loud to me.  I reported a few months back that I am using YouVersion on my Droid.  I have been listening to the Book of Numbers.  Some fascinating stories have emerged about being a good leader and follower through the Israelites time in the wilderness.

Tabernacle covered by smoke or fire

Let me set the table.  Israel has just been removed from Egypt by God.  Moses is the leader appointed by God to lead them out of Egypt and into the desert.  As instructed in the Law, they have built a portable worship center called the Tabernacle.

The tabernacle was covered in a cloud by day and by what “looked like fire” by night (Num 9:15-16).  The Israelites followed the cloud of God wherever it led.  By the Lord’s command either they camped or set out (9:23).  So Israel camps periodically in one location and then moves.

In the desert was a whole lot of uncertainty.  Scorching heat, stinging scorpions, durst storms, a lack of water, and bands of marauding Amalekites all made desert travel a formidable challenge.  And let’s face it, the Israelites had been “city folk.”  They had been in Egypt where these were not their challenges (not to make slavery out to be a picnic).

Into the story comes an odd character named Hobab.  Remember Moses’ father-in-law, Reuel.  He was the one who took in Moses when he fled Egypt.  And Moses had been treated well by Reuel.  Reuel had a son named Hobab and he was with Moses during these days. Hobab saw that the tabernacle was moving into the desert but he was going back to his land and his people.  Moses desperately wants Hobab to go with him and promises him a share of “whatever good” the Lord gives to us (10:29-30).

But then we see Moses’ true motive.  Moses says, “Please do not leave us.  You know where we should go in the desert, and you can be our eyes.”  (10:31).  Uh-oh.  I thought God was the one leading in the desert.  I thought God in essence was “the eyes.”  So why is Moses hanging onto Hobab?

Don’t we all have a Hobab in our lives?  God has promised to lead us, but we want the security blanket of Hobab.  We want the guy “who has been there,” the earthly veteran. Hobab knew the desert in a way that Moses did not.

I wonder how God felt about Moses’ desire for Hobab?  The Bible never does say.  But I can imagine that God was shaking his head.  Come on Mo’.  I’m with you!  I am your eyes, your ears, your feet.  Can you need anything more?

We all have Hobab moments.  Who is your Hobab?  And how is God wanting you to cut him loose?

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