Leadership Question

 Jesus is God’s Appointed Leadership for today! 

Today God brought Moses to my attention and his leadership style. When he faced similar situations, he handled them the same, but that wasn’t God’s direction.   

The Leadership of the Lord is always sure because He is sovereign. God raised Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. God appointed his brother Aaron to help him with the calling and journey. God knows the end from the beginning.

Moses Seeks God About the Congregation

In the first encounter in Exodus 17:4-6, Moses does right by going to the Lord because the people were almost ready to stone him, and the Lord said unto Moses, “Go on before the people and take with thee of the elders of Israel, and thy rod wherewith thou struck the river, take in thine hand and go. Behold, I will stand before thee thereupon the rock in Horeb; thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it that the people may drink.” And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. 

Moses was God-appointed leader of that time!

The second occurrence occurred in the Book of Numbers 20: 2-12. The circumstances were almost identical, the children of Israel again being displeased with their journey in the wilderness, speaking to Moses and Aaron as if they were the Lord. Remember, God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey. 

God’s Commands are Clear!

Again, Moses and Aaron left the people and went to the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them, but this time God’s instructions differed from the last time. The Lord told Moses, “Take the rod, and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it shall yield water; thus, you shall bring water for them out of the rock.” 

Outstanding Leadership can Miss the Lord!

Please pay close attention to what happens next; Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded. Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock and said to them, “Hear now you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod! Wait a minute, did Moses bring the water out of the rock? Or God Did! And why are the people called rebels? It appeared Moses allowed the people to frustrate him. But regardless of their leaders, God kept His word water came out abundantly, and all the congregation and their animals drank.  

God Moves for His People Despite the Leadership!

God provided for the congregation, notwithstanding the disobedience of their Leadership. Still, it cost Moses the opportunity to lead God’s people into the promised land, Numbers 20:12. This example of God providing for His people despite the insubordination of His appointed Leadership serves as an example to seek God first in all things. Allow Him to direct you. Yes, the congregation was incorrect in taking a position against Moses and Aaron because the Lord brought them out, not men. God uses men, but they should never take Jesus’ place in our lives.