MOSES THE PORTRAIT OF A LEADER
TEXT EXO. 3:1-4 & 10; 1TIM. 3:1-13
WHAT IS A PORTRAIT?
It can be described as a painted picture drawing or photograph of a person or any other object that brings or shows the exact likeness of the original person or object.
If we are looking at Moses as the portrait of a leader then we should all accept that Moses cannot and was not that leader with all the perfection required. So also, we too cannot become Moses. We are either lesser or greater than him. Infect, we should be greater and better than him. despite the imperfection you might have perceived in Moses kind of leadership you will agree with me that many of us are not yet measured up to his level.
Moses type of leadership deserved to be studied carefully because of the condition and the environment he was at the time.
THE FOLLOWING TRAITS HAVE BEEN OBSERVED IN THE PORTRAIT OF MOSES, WHICH WE TOO SHOULD TRY TO HAVE AS LEADERS IN THE CHURCH OF GOD.
1. MOSES HAD A CALL
If you are not called to be a leader you can never become a successful one. Many of us are called into different fields within the same kingdom. Most successful leaders are called by a divine power or to lead, or by circumstances they cannot run away from as in the case of Queen Esther or by their people who are in dare need of effective leadership. Martin Luther was a leader called by his people when the black American needed someone to lead them to freedom.
• Exo. 3:1&4; Moses was called by God
• Gen. 12:1; Abraham was called by God
• Jesus called his disciples. Matt. 4:18-19.
• Esther was called by circumstances of the time while Deborah was called By the people. Jud. 4:8-9.
In John 15:16 Jesus said "16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,..." I am sorry to let you know that if you are the one that have chosen yourself you may fail as a leader.
2. MOSES HAD A FOCUS
What has always been the driven power of leaders is that the one who called them makes them to see some areas where they can be of use. It is like the football players and their coach on the reserved bench. Before any player is sent in the coach makes him to see what is presently lacking on the field of play. You must have a focus of the particular area where you can function before being thrust into leadership position. From the inception Moses already knew where he was going because God told him His Focus.
• He knew where he was leading the people
• He knew the kind of people they are
• He knew who was holding them down
• He knew it would not be so easy.
• He knew that the reason they have stayed long in bondage was because they have not found a man who could speak to Pharaoh to let them go.
Exo. 3:7-10; Lk. 4:18-19, Compare with Isa. 61:1-3
3. MOSES WAS EDUCATED
A man of God under the present dispensation must be educated because the members of the modern church are highly educated. The pastor must be ahead of them in knowledge by a combination of Bible knowledge and the knowledge he picks up at other fields. Thank God that Moses was educated. How could we have benefited from his style of leadership if it had not been written down. Education is not only when you have become a professor or have a chain of degrees. It is mostly by what you have learned by going to school, by your association with people who are knowledgeable and your experiences in life. Prov.9:6
4. MOSES LEARNT AND PRACTICED DELEGATION OF POWER.
A good leader should learn and practice delegation of power if he must cover greater grounds and reach wider areas. The major reason why some promising leadership have failed to grow as they should is the failure to delegate work to others. Moses himself initially did not realized how important it is to have others working for him until his father- law warned him of the risk to his health and ministry. Although delegation may have its challenges, the reward of it is greater that the challenges it poses.
Look for trusted and loyal followers that you may commit part of the work to them. Put in some checks and mandate them to make reports to you regularly just to see if they are doing the correct thing.
WHY SOME PEOPLE CANNOT DELECATE
• They have something to hide from followers
• They regard the business of the Lord as their own personal property.
• Fear that what happened in the absence of Moses could happen.
• Fear that other talents might be discovered. Exo. 18:13 – 25; Matt. 9:35 – 38; Matt. 10:1
Num. 13:23 – 29.
5. MOSES WAS AN OPTIMIST, NOT A PESSMIST
A good leader like Moses always looks at things from God’s perspective: that there must be rays of light in every dark cloud. Moses was optimistic and he knew what God could do in every perilous situation. I used to think that God was the one who spoke first at the entrance of the Red Sea. It was Moses who told them to wait and see God's salvation. He was so sure that God would do something when the Egyptians moved closer. Good leader must never despair or lose hope when dangers come. Exo. 14:11 – 12; 13-16; Matt. 8:50 – 53; John 11:39-40.
6. MOSES DEFENDED HIS FOLLOWERS
What is the work of a shepherd if he fails to protect his sheep. Moses defended the Hebrews to the best of his ability from external aggression and from the boiling wrath of the Almighty God.
HOW TO DEFEND
• By helping them to face the Goliath confronting them
• With prayer and fasting
• With the right guidance and counselling
• The word of God.
Num. 14:11-20; Rom. 9:3-4; Num 21:7-9, Rom. 1:8; Deut. 9:15-20
7. MOSES WAS ABOVE SPIRITUALY
Moses had all the spiritual gifts and power it takes to be a good leader. He was so high that part of his anointing (spirit) was divided among seventy elders. Numbers .11:24 – 25.
8. MOSES WAS ABOVE REPROACH
Action speaks louder than words. The attention that our actions draw is far greater than the explanation we make to justify our actions.
HOW TO BE ABOVE
• Moderation no matter the level of affluence
• Keep away from every appearance of evil
• Refrain from frivolous visitation to members home.
• As a leader do not be in charge of purchases because there is a wrong conception that those involve in buying thing for the church are also making unholy gains to their private pockets.
• Watch your steps with people of questionable character and the opposite sex.
• Take care of your character and the Lord will take care of your reputation:
Isa. 52:11; Phil 2:15-16; 2 Sam. 12:14.Ex. 9:17-18
9. MOSES WAS UNDER AUTHORITY
The bane of so many leaders that have risen today is that they are no longer under human or God’s authority, Moses constantly subdued himself to the power of God.
REASON FOR BEING UNDER AUTHORITY
• Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. it has corrupted wiser men do not try to say that you can be an exception. The only safeguard against power drunk is to subdue your own self under someone who has authority over you.
• If you are not under authority no one will stay long under your authority and your insubordination will be teaching your followers never to voluntarily and loyally submit to you.
• Those who are not under authority may not have someone to correct them when they are making mistakes and that shall eventually lead to destruction.
10. MOSES HAD SOMEONE TO HANDOVER TO
A good leader must not create a vacuum after his removal, indisposition or death. The office of the leader is like the office of the governor it must continue to exist as long as the state exist and since we know that we cannot be there forever we should therefore be grooming successor who can take over when something happens to us.
• Moses handed over to Joshua (while Caleb was on the reserve bench)
• Eli handed over to Samuel
• Elisha handed over to no one and the ministry suffered a great setback. He took the anointing for his successor to the grave with him.
Your labour and ministry are completely wasted if your ministry dies with you.
Your efforts are wasted if after you leave a place and it crumbles.
You are not a good leader if you have no one to call you "my father". Num. 27:12-18; Matt. 16:17-19; 1 Sam. 3:1; 1 Sam. 10:1 2 kings 2:9 –10, 2 kings. . 13:21.
