4 leadership lessons from the wilderness

Rob Streetman July 12, 2019

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I recently had the pleasure of attending a Sunday School class that is studying its way through Exodus. It should not have surprised me that the story of Moses and the people of Israel include some good workplace lessons. But honestly, I never thought about it. 

Someone should write a book: Workplace Lessons from the Wilderness. Hmm.

Anyway, go ahead and read Exodus 32. I bet there are some things there that will surprise you, too. 

Ask God a question or two (He loves talking with His children). Here are four lessons from the golden calf affair:  

1. People are incredibly susceptible to self-deception and compromise. 

And just to be clear, it was not Satan that made them do it. There is no mention here of Satan’s involvement. The people decided to disobey God on their own. The carnal mind is a trickster.

2. Poor leaders (i.e., Aaron) are quick to blame-shift. 

They invent the most ridiculous lies—particularly when their authority is questioned or their reputation threatened. This is one of the dangers of authority.

3. Good leaders care deeply for their people and their people’s future. 

They care even to the point of severe discipline. They take responsibility for their people’s actions and take action to ensure their people don’t make the same mistake again.

4. Consequently, good leaders have access to God and influence with Him on behalf of their people. 

This is one of the great blessings of authority—intimacy with God.

It is this last point that strikes me as the most profound. Greater authority not only requires a higher degree of integrity and responsibility—but it also offers deeper intimacy with the One to whom we are to give an account. 

This is God’s way, and Moses is not the only example in Scripture. It is tragic that so many fail to take advantage of God’s open-door policy.

May God bless you with grace for the authority He has entrusted to you, and the wisdom and courage to enter into His presence on a regular basis.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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