God’s Leadership Training Program
God’s leadership training program for Moses fails every modern method. And yet, Moses is recognized as one of the Bible’s most prominent leaders. Let’s examine the training approach God used.
God’s leadership training program. Your background and education do not impress God.
When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” (ESV, Exodus 2:10)
Leadership profiles usually begin with a pedigree. An Ivy league school diploma. Respectable family name. Impressive qualifications, and distinguished commendations.
But Exodus 2:1-10 describes Moses’ humble beginnings in a common Jewish family. And his fortuitous adoption into the Egyptian Pharaoh’s royal family.
From there, he was raised in a position of privilege. Received the finest education. The top training of the day. And was likely on track for a key position in his adopted, grandfather’s Fortune 500 organization. A future of power and authority.
Except he made a bad decision and shot himself in the foot. A spoiled, entitled, rich kid who arrogantly committed an impulsive, foolish act that turned his life upside down. And sent him spiraling from great to grovelling. To a hard landing in God’s leadership training program.
God’s leadership training program. Don’t get too big for your britches
One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. (ESV, Exodus 2:11-12)
Scripture doesn’t say how, but Moses learned about his Jewish heritage. Nor do we know his motivation for killing the Egyptian. The murder appears suddenly in the story with no explanation. Moses did, at least, look to see if anyone was watching before he acted.
Was it out of genuine compassion for the plight of his people or because he saw himself as their savior? In other words, demonstrating an ancient form of virtue signalling. No need to fear O nation of Israel. I…Moses…your not so humble servant will rescue you. You’ve got problems. I am your solution.
God’s leadership training program. You may not look as cool as you think.
When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” (ESV, Exodus 2:13-14)
Virtue signalling involves public acts and declarations on the behalf of others. Usually people considered victims of society. But they also extol our own goodness. A humble brag. And perhaps, it describes Moses’ real motivation. A public display of compassion for the Jewish people as victims of Egyptian injustice. An understanding of their plight. All brought to you from his self-perceived, lofty pedestal of personal piety.
But the next day when he encountered two Hebrew slaves in an altercation, he intervened in his holy goodness to break it up. Expecting them to naturally submit to his righteous, arbitration. Instead, one of them turned on him. Exposed his selfish motives. And shattered his ego with a question.
“Are you going to kill me too?”
The truth was out. Moses’ inflated ego instantly deflated. His motives exposed. Because the downtrodden are seldom fooled by self-righteous proclamations. You only fool yourself.
Perhaps, others didn’t see Moses the same way he saw himself. Furthermore, Pharaoh was out to kill him. So, he ran to Midian and became a lowly shepherd. Descending from upwardly mobile to the bottom rung of social and occupational status.
God’s leadership training program. Humble yourself before God and he will call when you’re ready.
Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. (ESV, Exodus 3:1-2)
Fast forward another forty years when Moses is 80 years old, And finally, God calls him to lead Israel. Now that’s what you call waiting for someone to mature. And God calls Moses in a spectacular manner by appearing in a burning bush. Except the bush wasn’t actually burning. And it definitely caught Moses’ attention.
Moses was still a shepherd for his father-in-law Jethro at the time.
Forty years of humble service without even a promotion to chief shepherd. And apparently, Moses was content to live out his days this way. What happened to that young, ambitious, and egotistical young man? He grew older, wiser, and humble before God. You see it in his exchange with God in the burning bush.
God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (ESV, Exodus 3:5-6)
Moses was unaware of the change in his life. Gone was the youthful brashness. Now he was humble before God. And that is God’s primary qualification for leadership. Why? Because humility changes how we think. Rather than on our abilities. It’s about availability for God’s service. And promoting God’s glory rather than personal accomplishments. From me-first to seeking and obeying God’s will.
What was it that characterized Moses’ impressive accomplishments as a Biblical leader? He was a faithful follower first. And leader second.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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