This week’s study of Devarim not only embraces words from Moses but also includes prophetic writings from Isaiah as well as letters from the Apostle Paul in the Book of Acts and the First Letter to Timothy. Is there a common thread between them when it comes to “matters?” The message given to me when examining these texts is that of leadership. More specifically, “How can leaders be forged when facing troubles?” Hopefully, you will find this focus to be helpful for yourself, your family, and your calling.
In our English vernacular, the term “matters” can mean your troubles or problems. Many of us have encountered difficulties in our lives that may have caused us to worry. Even now, we face giants that seem to overwhelm us on virtually every spectrum: home life, gender confusion, world war, financial insecurity, political corruption, and blatant immorality. Can we do anything to lessen our “matters?” Or, should we instead, embrace our troubles in anticipation of victory? What would a leader of Yahweh do?
Some believe leaders are born. From my point of view, I believe leaders are molded. Just like fire refines metal, challenges in life either make you or break you. Yahweh doesn’t shy away from giving His people trials. King David learned to wait upon the Lord even when he had nothing. He then proceeded to work and fight while he waited for the promised kingdom. Godly leaders do not shy away from work but embrace the opportunity to be a son to the Father before becoming a king.
“The Lord disciplines those he loves, even as a father corrects his son.” (Prov. 3:12.)
This week, I’ve taken the liberty to write down steps in becoming a leader in Yah’s Kingdom:
Step One: A leader must be humbled and redirected in his or her ambition. Many times, we will see leaders who are incapable of understanding any point of view contrary to theirs. When the apostle Paul was a “Pharisee of the Pharisees”, he had come to believe his understanding of Judaism was superior to the order of “The Way.” Therefore, he set out to correct the supposed “misinformation” of his day.
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Yeshua,
went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus,
so that if he found any belonging to the Way, whether men or women,
he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2
When Paul continued in his attempts to eliminate Yeshua and those who followed Him, he was knocked to the ground and blinded by the One he was choosing to attack. He was humbled, but at the same time, he was given a chance to redirect his passion for true Kingdom work.
Step Two: A leader must recognize his sin as well as his redemption. Once the Apostle Paul was shown his misguided attempts and met the Savior, he gave his testimony to someone younger. He stated:
. . . even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;. . . . I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost sinner Yeshua Messiah might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. I Timothy 1:13-16
Step Three: A leader needs to see the bigger picture and not get caught in needless discussions outside of his or her calling and purpose. Though at the same time, a spiritual leader needs to remember the source of his ministry and stay firm to the gospel. Paul advises Timothy, a new and upcoming leader of the body on how to do so:
. . . you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
I Timothy 1:3-5
The letters written to Timothy were pastoral epistles. Most agree that they were indeed written by Paul to give wisdom and direction. In the first three centuries, Gnosticism was a critical problem facing fledgling congregations. Due to the influence of great philosophers such as Plato, many disregarded the laws of Yahweh. This belief was based on two concepts:
- Anything done in the body even the grossest of sin has no meaning because real life exists in the spirit realm only and not in the physical world for which you were placed.
- Higher truth is known only to a certain few and acquired from mystical truth, but not from the Bible or through counsel.
Paul’s advice to Timothy was to “stay the course” rather than get caught in the bushes of
speculation, fruitless discussions, wanting to be teachers of the law before understanding the law, and an eagerness to give merit to myths that are not true.
Step Four: A leader must consider his role and how his leadership affects others. Gossip is a big thing in congregations, at work, and even at home. People love to speculate and then “share” assumptions. Consequently, a leader must be wise in his dealings:
“It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.”
I Timothy 3:1-3
Step Five: In the book of Isaiah, we learn that a leader cannot be rebellious. They must worship the one and only living God with a clean heart rather than a prideful heart. If a leader keeps the laws of Yah to be noticed, Yahweh will reject him, for the Lord grows tired of offerings, new moons, and festivals from those who are prideful and rebellious. Isaiah reminds his reader to:
“Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor,
Obtain justice for the orphan, Plead for the widow’s case.” Isaiah 1:17
Step Six: Leaders allow Yahweh to lead, but do not stand still. In Deuteronomy Chapter 3 we see Israel “coming out” to do battle and “face their matters.” Upon this action of faith, Moses shares words from Yahweh.
“Do not fear, I have delivered him, (the giant king Og) and all his people
and his land into your hand.”
From this point forward, Moses recounts a continued record of action experienced by Israel. He uses phrases such as we smote, we captured, we destroyed and we took. In simple terms, I believe leaders should have both faith and engagement. I’ve met many a person who stands still waiting to be rescued from their problems but never takes a step forward. They claim they are waiting on the Lord, but never consider the idea that Yah may be waiting for them to step up. Again, we need to remember David took the fight to Goliath, while the so-called leaders of the country waited for a miracle.
Brothers and sisters, we are not living in a time that calls us to be passive or withdrawn. It’s time to stand against the countless evil giants of our time. For when we commit to follow the Living King, He will fight for us.
Be blessed this Sabbath,
Rollyn