Bible Students

Reflections on “Biblical Leadership” by Forrest (chapters 1-4)

Leadership permeates the Old and New Testaments. This is to be expected, as both the Old and New Testaments reform many cultural misunderstandings of God. Leadership in the Old Testament is much more than simply correction of wrong beliefs or administration. In the Old Testament the primary example of leadership is God, as He is the authority and leader of the whole earth. His rule is final, and He is to be acknowledged by all beings as ruler of the whole earth. God rules from Zion forever. God makes His commands, and the creation is made to follow His rule. Even events on earth are ordained from God in eternity past. Additionally, God acts as a leader by defending His people. He stands between His people and hostile nations. God chastises the poor leaders of His people and the poor leaders of other nations. Those who lead others astray will likewise be lead astray. Pagan leaders were given dominion by the Lord over their respective nations, but even then the ultimate authority went to God. When pagan leaders did not lead their people to God, God chastised them for their arrogance. Through all nations and peoples, God exercised authority and leadership, having grace for the humble and chastising the proud. 

In the Old Testament there were many examples of types of leadership in the Old Testament. Some of these types include priests, prophets, wise men, and kings. The priests were to lead in spiritual matters. Prophets, while also leading in spiritual matters, specifically gave the novel words of God to His people and surrounding nations, mostly calling them back into repentance. Wise men gave the people of God His general wisdom for their lives. Kings dealt with the civil matters of the people, which while not seeming explicitely spiritual acted as a form of administering God’s judicial rule on earth. All of those leaders were called to their leadership by God in their specific positions and expected to give Him the ultimate authority. 

Additionally, there are two other kinds of leadership in the Old Testament. Elders and judges were two other important kinds of leadership. Elders and judges both were called to administer wisdom and understanding in court cases, deciding which of the two parties was in the right and which was in the wrong. Shepherd and servants were figurative terms of leadership. Shepherds and servants are both groups of people who submit themselves under the authority of others. All leaders are called to be placed under the leadership of God, who is the most high leadership. Leaders must be servants of the Lord in order to be proper leaders, and must follow in the example of Christ, the ultimate servant. Additionally, leaders must be shepherds who care about the people God has placed under them. 

The leadership of Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, and Haggai were all crucial to the return to Jerusalem during the return from exile. Leadership is far more than management, and includes the care and character of the leaders. A proper leader is defined by godliness, and a lack of godlessness. Cain and Abel are great examples of this. Cain’s example was that of a godless leader. The leadership of man after him continued to follow in the steps of evil, which was eventually climaxed at the tower of Babel, where God diffused the languages among the people in order to permanently divide their wickedness. On the other side there was Abel, who loved the Lord. Following Abel’s character, a man named Abraham entered the scene. Abraham had faith in God, and through this he was a great leader. The leader is chosen by God by His own will. Leadership must exercise authority. It must be according to obedience to God’s will. Leadership requires dependence on God and moral strength. Moral strength must be shown over time and in the moment. Awareness of God’s holiness is a strong aspect of leadership. 

All people in the Old Testament Law are commanded to honor and obey their parent. On the flip side of this, parents must be worthy of honor and obedience. Fathers and mothers must be worthy leaders. Leaders will sometimes be victims of harsh criticism by those who they are leading. Trust in the Lord and confidence in Him is essential for leaders. False leaders do not trust in the Lord. Holding the Word of God on the leader’s body and repeating them always is another aspect of leadership. The king must be one God chose, an Israelite, not attempting to acquire many horses, wives, or silver/gold. Military strength, alliances, or financial security are not things of confidence for rulers. Assurance must be only in God. The king must be a man of God’s law. Prophets must speak the words of the Lord, and their words must come true, otherwise they are a false prophet. Disloyalty to God made a false prophet. 

Leviticus is a difficult book for many to get through. Priests and politics were very related in the Old Testament. The Law is a very important part of the Old Testament. The priests were to remind God’s people about His great deeds. God promised to set Israel aside from the whole world if they were to follow His laws. Moses credits God with the great deliverance of the Israelites. The priestly failures are problematic for the nation of Israel. The offering, the way for God’s people to be brought to Him properly, requires the whole congregation’s obedience. The Levites lead the congregation of God through helping with the Tabernacle and priestly duties. God is with His leaders. Faithfulness to Him is required for leaders. A priest works in concert with judges and elders to administer justice. God’s whole people were called His possession and were set apart for the help of the priests. 

The best leaders lead in humility and quietness. Moses ultimately follows the path of humility, rather than pride. The leader must be full of humility. Leaders are not God. Pride is a great temptation of people in leadership. All leaders sin, but God never sins. Moses did not have enough time or energy to do everything, so he had to disperse responsibility to others. Accept the help God gives. Leaders must not deny the help God is willing to give. 

In short, leadership permeates the whole of the Old Testament. Leadership is needed for a proper directing of God’s people. God leads His people through undershepherds (leaders) in His community. The leader can not lead apart from a solid moral character and dependence on God. Apart from those things, he is doomed to failure.