7 Bedrock Principles for Leaders

Read Numbers 13-14. 

The Israelites had camped in the south and prepared to go north into the land of promise.  But before they did 12 spies were chosen for a reconnaissance mission.  Their job was to assess the land, the people, the agriculture, the cities, and economic conditions.  Their charge was to "be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land." 

Forty days later the men returned with their report.  All twelve spies saw the same things.  The problem was not with the facts but with their faith.  Ten of them felt based upon what they saw "we are not able" to go forward.  Two, Caleb and Joshua, stated "we are well able."  Who was correct?  Both!  Who was right?  Caleb and Joshua.  Why?  God said, they had a "different spirit" and "followed me fully." 

There are times when one may be factually correct and spiritually wrong.  This is one of those times. 

The report from the ten is called "bad".  In the King James the word is translated "evil" as it was meant to undermine and defame the will of God for this nation.  Then, they began to exaggerate their findings with intent to discourage the people even more (14:32-33).  This resulted in the people being so disillusioned that they announced their desire to choose their own leader and go back to Egypt!  How irrational is that? 

Their disillusionment came from two root issues: rebellion and fear (14:9).  God wanted to kill them right then for their ingratitude and unbelief in Him.  But Moses' interceded.  The result was that all ten spies died of a plague and the rest of that adult generation would never see the land.  They would die as they wandered in the wilderness one year for each of the forty days the spies were in the land.  The LORD was not going to change His promise or His plan.  Instead, He would work with the next generation who would obey Him. 

Lessons for leaders.

1. Never take anything to the congregation without the leaders being united in mind and heart.  Dr. John Maxwell used to say, "The meeting before the meeting determines the outcome of the meeting."

2. A divided leadership leads to a divided congregation 100% of the time and destroys the God-given potential.

3. Another Maxwell principle: Leadership is influence.  When a leader says something, they affect the faith or fears of others around them, whether formally or casually.  Leaders are/will be held accountable for the stewardship of the influence God gives them.

4. Without obedience to the Word of God, people will cast off restraint and plunge into sin.  This is the correct meaning of Proverbs 29:18 (see NIV, ESV or NAS translations).

5. Nothing is more important in leadership than intercessory prayer.  This is servant leadership at its best.

6. The sin was forgiven but the consequences remained.  Grace?  Yes.  But they forfeited the blessings God wanted to give and had prepared for them.

7. The will of God is not determined by a popular vote.  A majority vote in this story would have resulted in the stoning of godly men and the nation trying to return to slavery.  There are times when those faithful to the LORD must stand for what is right in the face of an opposing majority. 

Some serve in difficult places and endeavor to lead difficult people.  As with Moses, God sees, hears, knows, and will reward faithful stewards.  Hebrews 6:10 says it best, "For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do."