cogickaaro

Moses as leader, was extremely pre-occupied with the grumbling and complaining of the stiffnecked people he was commanded to lead. I think it was entirely possible that Moses overlooked the possibility of delegation. Moses also had not been given the command from God to delegate judicial responsibility to others. I believe Moses was humble and .."very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth". (Num. 12:3). Consequently, Moses was not the kind of person to harbor seflish and conceited motives. The judges were to be godly (god-fearing) men, committed to truth and knowledgeable of its instruction. Capable people who were not lovers of money, honest, hating dishonest gain, and were not covetous. Moses' role is similar to Eph. 4:11-12 in that Moses was on a special mission as the personal representative of God; and, at some point during the exodus served as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. (Apostle - person sent to accomplish a mission representing the authority of the sender. Prophet - a human instrument declaring the word of the Lord. Evangelist - preacher of the gospel of the good news. Pastor - shepherd, leader, one who teaches, unifies and trains members to be mature in faith. Teacher - one who gives instruction.) The anointing of the Spirit is important in Christian leadership because the Spirit of God changes believers and leaders in that they become empowered with the presence and power of God. The Spirit can be identified as being at work in an individual when they can give love, joy, self-control, patience..(Gal. 5:22-23). The Spirit of God equips leaders to serve and build up the body of Christ, and empowers leaders to accomplish specific tasks. Consequently, the anointing of the Spirit is vital to; and, the only way to the success of Christian leadership.

"..that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no." (Exo. 16:4). God provided manna to again show the people of His power and provision. God was again allowing the people the opportunity to believe, trust and have total faith in Him, which would cause them to obey His commands. The manna ceased because the Israelites had arrived at Canaan. "..they did eat manna until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan" (Exo.16:35). Once the people reached a land that was inhabited and could find food on their own, the manna stopped. The manna was taken for granted because the people had to do nothing to produce it. All the people had to do was gather enough for each day (except the sabbath). On the sixth day they were to gather enough for two days. The people received manna every day at no cost or labor, and took for granted the provision provided by the Lord. People may take for granted provisions provided them which they get totally free. An every day provision of God which may be taken for granted is the breath we breathe. However, nothing not a breath, can be taken for granted. Every little and big provision is a gift of God.

Leaders are servants commanded to accomplish the will of the Lord. Any grumbling and complaining is against the will of the Lord, not the leader. This may not be true if the task being undertaken is not the will of the Lord, but from the ideas and direction of the leader outside of the will of the Lord. When hardships and adversities are encountered when the Lord is not involved can and will bring complaining and grumbling against the leader that cannot be overcome. In this case the grumbling and complaining is against the leader him/herself. Leaders take grumbling and complaining personally because the accusations are made directly to their person, their actions, and the development of whatever is being accomplished. Leaders who can be seen, touched, and actions felt are in the direct line of fire to receive criticism in the human form. Leaders may receive and internalize the critism personally. Realizing that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2); and, that a Christian leaders life is committed to the Lord's will, allow the leader to know "it's not about you." Knowing that loyalty to God, and completing His work that they were called to, will ensure leaders know that the criticism is not about them.

People grumble and complain out of fear and a lack of faith. If we have faith we will not fear. Not having faith will cause fear because we cannot see a solution within our own strength, while in the midst of adversity. The result will be grumbling and complaining and crying out in despair, showing no hope. Fear and faith relate to grumbling in that without faith, fear will overtake and cause grumbling and complaining. Any symptom of grumbling (i.e., fear of the unknown) must be met in the initial stage with fervent prayer. Prayer for renewed and greater faith, prayer for the continued presence and growth of God in my life; and, the remembrance of His past deliverances, answers to my prayers; and, the feeling of His peace when I depend totally on Him.

During the Exodus, it was important to show the glory of God to the Egyptians so they would know there is "one God", "Yahweh". "The I Am that I Am". The Egyptians had to understand the inferiority of Pharaoh and any other god compared to the power, might, and glory of the only God and King of the universe. It was important to show God's glory to the Israelites so they would be assured from generation to generation of the power and might of their God; and, so they would forever respect and faithfully serve their God by following all of His commandments. Having true faith in God recognizes His promises, his word and His might. It involves a commitment of your life to Him. Faith knows and gives praise to God, His might and His glory. Faith is confidence and trust in God which comes from seeing and experiencing His glory. Recognizing God's glory increases and inputes faith. Faith is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22); and, a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12: 8-9). The Holy Spirit is the agent of holiness and imputes holiness as the fullness of God and godliness into the believer. Holiness commands obedience to God and His word in all segments of life. Identically, to reverence God is to worship, obey, respect and honor Him. We reverence God by obeying His word and commands, and giving honor and praise to the glory of God. When leaders allow the sin of pride, self-deception, high mindedness, and boasting to overtake them they allow themselves to fall into rebellion against God, which causes them to give themselves the honor and glory due to God alone. This in and of itself is a great sin. Leaders must understand that all glory and honor belong to God alone. Leaders must keep themselves humble at all times. God wants leaders to be humble in spirit, not thinking themselves as being more important than any other man. A humble spirit will keep a leader obedient and submissive to God's will; and, he will realize man's sinful nature before a Holy God.

The people blamed Moses for the advancing Egyptian army because they were extremely afraid. Fear had gripped their senses; and, short-sighted their faith. Actually, their faith is blind-sighted by fear. None of the miracles of God are at this moment remembered. When God told Moses to "turn back", the people should have remembered the power and might of God under any and all circumstances; and, showed a grounded and mature faith in God. Moses was being directed by God, and the fear of what the people saw in the flesh caused the people to panic and blame Moses, while actually blaming God. The people's fear is motivated by what they saw in the flesh. In the natural they saw the Egyptian army and chariots. They took their eyes off God. The people were really blaming God who was directing and instructing Moses. In the natural they blamed Moses; and, yet cried out to God. Moses responds with words of comfort and encouragement. Moses reminded the people of God's assured deliverance while bolstering their faith. Moses re-directed their blind-sighted fear to the power, strength and deliverence promised by God, reminding them that God would provide for them as He promised. Moses has now matured into the true disciple required to lead the people into the Promise Land. Moses knew it would be a waste of time defending himself from the criticism. He knew they were in truth blaming God because he was doing as commanded by God. He identified their extreme fear. Moses knew that words of encouragement, and reminding them of God's power and promised deliverance was what was needed to get their attention so they could go forward as God had commanded. The people responded to the words of Moses by going forward. His words of encouragement re-directed their attention from the physical fear of what they saw, and re-focused their attention to the miraculous promises of God which they had already experienced. The people obeyed the instruction to go "into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left" (Exo. 14:22).

Obedience was important to the peoples' deliverence because through their specific obedience they received God's protection for each Hebrew family. The Hebrew's obeying meant they were dressed and ready to eat and depart. Obeying was important to God's timing of the Passover of the Death Angel; and, the exodus. Obedience to the word of God and His commandments, to deny the flesh and, "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24) so that we live Christ like lives before men; and, obtain deliverence from sin, the flesh and the power of satan. This can only be accomplished through obedience to the word and commandments of God. Discipleship is defined as one in training, receiving preparation and development; a follower of a particular teacher or doctrine. There can be no discipleship without obedience to the teacher and/or doctrine being taught and followed. "Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead being alone". (Jas. 2:17). True saving faith expresses itself in obedience to God. Works is our testimony to God which is our obeying scripture through our personal daily living and actions, in a desire to please Christ. There can be no belief in Jesus without obeying Him; nor can there be faith without obeying Him.

Christ is our Passover Lamb in the symbolic sense that as God commanded Moses and the people of Israel in the feast of the Passover to take every man a lamb, "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male.." (Exo. 12:5). Christ was a male without sin (blemish) who sacrificed His life for the redemption of our sins. By the death of Jesus on the cross, the way was made for the removal of the guilt and power of sin; and, opened for us a way to God. We are marked with the blood of Jesus because as believers, our redemption is acquired by the shedding of His blood on the cross. A continuing cleansing through His blood for our sins, allows us intimate fellowship with God. God's judgment passes over us because "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7). God's wrath passes over us because of the cleansing blood of Jesus. We must always resist the flesh and sinful nature of man through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, and the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

Moses couldn't accept any of Pharaoh's compromises because he would have been out of the will of, and disobedient to God. God never gave any alternate offers to His commands which could be accepted. Moses had to obey God's command as His gave, with no alterations or changes. Church leaders may accept compromise when the instances and/or circumstances will not harm, change or set aside the word of God; or, the continuance of the good of the church as a whole, nor would the compromise change the mission of the church. Compromise may be acceptable when God's word is still followed, and the church as a whole is not harmed in any way. It is wrong for a church leader to compromise a command given him/her from God. When a leader receives a command from God it should be accomplished and followed to the letter, and as directed. A compromise is wrong when it will result in a negative impact which would bring about more harm than good; and, when/if done for self-serving intentions and/or seeking self gain.

Some church leaders are more concerned with keeping their members appeased and happy. Confrontation brings the players and the issue face-to-face in order to bring about a solution/resolution. In so doing, leaders face possible rejection, ridicule and negative opinions from those who do not agree, or from those who cannot accept the openness of confrontation. Church leaders have to contend with various people having a wide range of characters. This in itself is a great task. Rebuke and confrontation can be a good thing when it reveals the truth and possible sin that may have otherwise been overlooked. It can then correct and heal a situation that could continue or worsen if left unattended. In conclusion, confrontation can be a good thing when it exposes sin, corrects and heals. The result of refusing to confront when necessary is allowing the problem or issue to grow and/or worsen. This also allows individuals participating in the problem to take a winning stance and the problem/issue overtake the good of the environment, and the result can be overwhelmingly negative to everyone. The situation is then totally out of control, and is able to continue if not confronted.

Moses blamed God for his troubles because in the face of having to withstand the backlash from the Hebrew foreman when the tasks were made more difficult (i.e., having to gather the straw to make bricks, while having to make the same number of bricks). Moses fell back into unbelief, cowardice, fear, and a lack of perseverance. Moses fell for the blame game. Moses cried to God, blaming Him for causing more evil to come upon the people. Moses continued by questioning why God sent him; and, blaming God for not giving help or deliverence. The saying of "when the going gets tough the tough get going" did not fit Moses' character at this time. Moses and Aaron are stubborn at this point because they are still not totally trusting and believing in God and His promises. At this point Pharaoh's actions had more effect on Moses and Aaron than God;s promises. Moses and Aaron continue to be overwhelmed by fear, cowardice, a lack of confidence and trust in God; and, having no perseverence. Fear is a feeling of agitation and anxiousness caused by the expectation or awareness of danger. Fear is the lack of courage and is not of God. "God has not given us the spirit of fear...(2 Tim. 1:7). I believe Moses and Aaron felt overwhelmed with fear and not believing in God's promise of deliverence. God had to command Moses and Aaron because in their being overwhelmed by fear, they have taken their eyes off the task, and from the promises of God. Consequently, God had to "quiet" them, remind them of His promises to them and their ancestors, and of His power. God had to remind them of His promises to them concerning Pharaoh. God had to command them to get their attention and have them refocus on Him, His promises, and their task.

Sad to admit, but the reason we are so afraid to obey God when He puts on our heart to do something may be (1) we are not sure if we are hearig His voice; and, (2) fear of not succeeding, especially if the task is something great. It has been said we should not look at how great the task or problem is, but how great our God is. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). When we feel fear we should immediately begin to pray. Fear is not of God; and, honest fervent prayer will overtake and erase fear and take our minds to peace and love where God is. The relationship of fear to courage is they are exact opposites. Fear is cowardice, extreme timidity; and, not of God. Courage is the ability to stand against injustice, evil and danger to bring about a good end. A courageous character exhibits bravery in the face of danger, perseverance to succeed, and a heart of honesty. Courage is required in leaders and disciples because they must always be cognizant of the fact that they are responsible for and to others. Honesty will enable them to make the right decisions, knowing all things have a time and place. Bravery will enable one to face whatever is confronting or conflicting; and, perseverance will take them to success.