ATTRIBUTES OF THE GODLY LEADER (Week of Oct. 27th)
And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
-Exodus 14:13-14
Passage to Read: Exodus 14:13-30
Theme: Wait and Watch
Following the Lord precisely requires faith that He knows more than we do.
Sometimes the things God asks us to do just don’t make sense. As Israel left Egypt, “God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near” (Exodus 13:17). Using this route, the entire nation of over 2 million would have been on the outskirts of the land God had promised in a matter of a few short months. Instead, God chose to lead the nation by way of the wilderness. . . to the Red Sea?!
No self-respecting individual on earth would have chosen this route. Given the immense size of the group, the sustenance needed to sustain them physically would have been readily available along the shorter route. By the time they would arrive at the threshold of the land, they would have still been fresh; not worn down from the travails of a desert trek.
The wisdom of God prevailed. Recognizing the likelihood that “the people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt” (Numbers 13:17). God knew they needed more “show and tell” before their confidence in Him would give them courage to stand against formidable opposition.
So they took the long route, only to discover that before them was the Red Sea, and coming up behind them was the angry army of Egyptians, in hot pursuit. It was in the midst of certain destruction that Moses calmly spoke, “Do not fear!” The terrified congregation gazing ahead saw nothing but looming disaster, and Moses had the audacity to quietly affirm that everything was going to be all right.
As amazing as the story of deliverance, is the confidence of Moses. “Don’t be afraid! Just stand and look and you will experience today the power of God! While you keep silent, the Lord will fight for you!”
Question: What are the attributes of Godly leadership? Please show me, Lord, the areas of my life where I am deficient.
Reflection: Take some time to write out your thoughts as you reflect on this passage.