Learning from Exodus

I am currently reading the Book of Exodus and as usual I am finding out that there are some parts that are standing out more to me even though I have read them several times before. For instance, I never realized how respected Moses was by those who were in Pharaoh’s court and the people of Egypt.

The Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. Exodus 11:3

This made me think about leadership. A bad leader can put whoever is under them in great danger. Pharaoh’s servants and the Egyptians esteemed Moses, more than likely because they were in awe of the signs and wonders he performed through the Almighty God. However, Pharaoh’s heart was hard towards Moses and his requests. But it should be noted that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart for a purpose, to deliver His people from slavery. Because of Pharaoh’s hard heart the Egyptians suffered through many plagues and eventually they lost their firstborn. An unwise leader can destroy a family, church, business, community or a country. Parents, pastors, bosses or politicians can bring disaster to the very people who they are supposed to take care of. This is why leaders with God’s wisdom are so important as they can leave a lasting impact that could affect generations for the good or the bad.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh; yet the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land. Exodus 11:9-10

Thankfully, even though a leader is bad, God can still work His wonders. Therefore, it doesn’t matter whether you consider a leader good or bad, you must still pray for him or her. Prayer helps us to stay in alignment with God, no matter the consequences we face despite the leadership we are under. Nothing is too hard for the Lord, so we must persevere in prayer, whatever the situation.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

We should pray for those in authority to be saved and to lead with godliness and dignity. If leaders are going against God’s way, then sooner or later consequences will be paid by not only them, but also by those who have them as their authority.

For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you… Now it came about at midnight that the Lord struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle. Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead. Exodus 12:23, 29-30

The Israelites listened to Moses’ instructions which he received from the Lord and the angel of death passed over their homes. However, cries could be heard all over the land as the Egyptians mourned the death of every first born because their leader, Pharaoh, did not follow the Lord’s instructions. If only he had let the Israelites go earlier, then their firstborns would not have been killed. But Pharaoh was stubborn and untrustworthy. He would say he would let the Israelites go to stop whatever disaster was brought on the nation by God through Moses and Aaron, but when there was ease, he changed his mind. As the saying goes, “he was speaking out of both sides of his mouth,” which led to more trouble for the people in his nation. Unfortunately, people do face the consequences of bad leadership even if they are not in agreement with how they are being led.

I am learning more about leadership from Exodus. And a few of these lessons are:

• Be careful who you follow, or else you may face dire consequences

• Choose leaders who have godly qualities, who are trustworthy and who are led by God

• Many people may not be able to choose who leads them, but it is still very important to pray for leaders to have godly wisdom

However, no matter what the leader is doing, we must each make sure we are following in God’s way.