Sometimes people argue that the concept of leadership is not biblical – rather it’s a Western “corporate” idea. That simply is not true.
Here are many examples of good leadership in the Bible. In all these examples we see clear evidence of:
- The leader
- The people he is leading
- Where they are now
- The better place in the purposes of God toward which they are moving
As we look at each example, try to identify the four elements noted above.
Numbers 27:15-20
Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Make him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the congregation, and you shall commission him in their sight. You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.
1. The Leader: Joshua, the son of Nun. God has instructed Moses to appoint him as the new leader of Israel.
2. The People He is Leading: The people of Israel, often referred to as "the congregation of the Lord" in this passage.
3. Where They Are Now: At this point, they are in the wilderness, having been journeying through it since their exodus from Egypt. They have not yet entered the Promised Land.
4. The Better Place in God’s Purpose: They are moving toward the Promised Land, Canaan, which represents the fulfilment of God’s covenant with Israel, a land of blessing and rest where they can settle and live in accordance with God's commandments.
Judges 2:16
Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.
1. Who the Leader is: The leaders mentioned here are the judges whom God appointed. These judges were chosen by God to deliver Israel from oppression and lead them according to His ways.
2. Who the People He is Leading are: The people being led are the Israelites, specifically those who were suffering under oppression due to their disobedience and turning away from God.
3. Where They Are Now: At this point, the Israelites are in a cycle of disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, and distress. They face hardship and are under the influence of those who "plundered them" as a result of their turning away from God.
4. The Better Place in the Purposes of God Toward Which They Are Moving: Through the judges, God is leading the people back to a place of faithfulness, deliverance, and peace. Each judge's deliverance is an opportunity for Israel to return to God’s covenant and live in peace under His protection, aligning with God’s purpose for Israel to be His people in a place of blessing and security.
5. The Better Place in the Purposes of God Toward Which They Are Moving: Through the judges, God is leading the people back to a place of faithfulness, deliverance, and peace. Each judge's deliverance is an opportunity for Israel to return to God’s covenant and live in peace under His protection, aligning with God’s purpose for Israel to be His people in a place of blessing and security.
1 Samuel 7:5-10
Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel.
1. Who the leader is
2. Who the people he is leading are
3. Where they are now
4. The better place in the purposes of God toward which they are moving
We can also see many examples of bad leadership in the Bible. Once again, we see clear evidence of:
1. The leader
2. The people he is leading
3. Where they are now
4. The worse place, not in the purposes of God, toward which they are moving
Ezekiel 22:25-31
The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. Her priests have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, shedding blood, destroying lives to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken. The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out My indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.”
1. Who the Leader is: The passage mentions various leaders of Israel—prophets, priests, and princes. Each group holds a leadership role in the spiritual, religious, and civic life of Israel.
2. Who the People He is Leading are: The people being led are the Israelites, who are meant to be God's covenant people but are suffering due to the corruption of their leaders.
3. Where They Are Now: The people of Israel are entrenched in a state of corruption, injustice, and moral decay. Leaders exploit their positions, and the people are involved in extortion, robbery, and oppression of the vulnerable, such as the poor, needy, and foreigners.
4. The Better Place in the Purposes of God Toward Which They Are Moving: God desires a return to justice, righteousness, and true worship among the people, where leaders uphold His law and the people live according to His standards. However, because there was no one to "stand in the breach"—to intercede or restore justice—God declares that He will pour out His wrath. The ideal destination would be a place of repentance and restored relationship with God, but the immediate consequence is God’s judgement due to their ongoing rebellion.