Today let’s talk about leadership.
Specifically, the type of leadership the Bible approves of and more importantly…
…the kind of leadership it flat-out condemns.
In the Song of Devorah, Devorah blames Israel’s messed up situation on the passive, complacent and self-serving leadership of Israel’s tribal chiefs and leaders.
She doesn’t blame outside circumstances or the Canaanites who were oppressing them.
She places blame squarely where it belongs (big lesson here folks).
On the other side of the equation, she gives praise to those who deserved to be praised.
And that praise went to those men who “grew their hair” and rose up in order to lead Israel out of her complacency.
It was a dangerous and unpopular position to take.
Which is what made what these men did all the more courageous and worthy of honor.
Now a lot of folks get confused because they think the Scripture commands them to obey their human governments.
While that’s true it comes with a big caveat.
The Lord requires any human government to lead with a servant’s heart that prioritizes the welfare of the people.
The problem with world governments today is they attempt to accomplish their lofty and idealistic goals by pushing their own man-made ideas of peace and justice.
And them dogs never hunt.
It is the Word of God and the Lord’s clear and explicit instructions that the leader of any government is ultimately to bow down to.
When that is properly done, it automatically results in divine blessings and the people being properly cared for.
Any leader no matter how sincerely he claims to support Israel and has a personal relationship with God through his son, if that leader attempts to replace God’s specific commands with his own ideas of mercy and justice, he or she IS TO BE REJECTED.
You all know what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about government policies and proposals that pressure Israel to divide up Jerusalem and parcel off pieces of their land so they can be handed over to their sworn enemies.
The leader in question may not have evil intentions but whether he’s aware of it or not, he’s being used by the being Scripture refers to as the “God of this world”.
And it’s all being done under the guise of promoting world peace, brotherly love and being fair and just to all parties involved.
The deception such a leader casts is wide and far indeed.
And here’s the kicker.
It is precisely that kind of leadership the Scriptures condemn.
The so-called peaceful and sincere intentions of a misguided leader might appear to be beneficial.
But those benefits are always short-lived.
Because they will ultimately be shot down by God.
So let’s get this firmly embedded into the deepest recesses of our craniums.
A leader’s good intentions no matter how sincere will NEVER EVER trump obedience to the Lord’s clear commandments in Scripture.
The failure of every Israelite leader can be traced back to this specific reason and no other.
you are right sir. Thanks
Thank you Abraham.