Leaders Cannot Do It Alone

Read Exodus 17.

When people lose sight of the bigger picture, they will complain about the details.

When leaders lose sight of the bigger picture they become overwhelmed.

Note that Moses did not try to resolve the problem alone.  God instructed him to pass before the people with some of the other national leaders (elders) and the famous staff (a reminder of God's miraculous power in the past).

The baseline question in verse 7 carries throughout Israel's story and in our lives story as well.  "Is the LORD among us or not?"  Are we doing what God wants done or are we trying to live life on our own?  Are we interpreting events by sight or by faith?  In God's way and in His time, He supplied their need.

Next, the challenge came not from within to supply the people's needs, but from an external threat.  Instead of allowing the people to pass through their land peaceably, the Amalekites chose to fight and take advantage of these former slaves.

This chapter records the first war Israel faced on their journey from Egypt.  We meet Joshua for the first time.  Later, we are told that Joshua had been Moses' aide since his youth.  Here, he is the appointed general of Israel's army.  With 600,000 soldiers Joshua engaged in battle against the Amalekites and won by the grace of God.

Moses was the leader but as any good leader knows he cannot be successful alone.  Moses led by maintaining oversight of what was happening.  God provided Joshua for the field.  When Moses became tired, as all leaders do, God provided Aaron and Hur to support him.

Leaders do not get tired of the work.  But they do become weary in the work.  Do you know of a spiritual leader who could use your encouragement and loyal support?