THE LEADERSHIP OF MOSES

Moses is revered as the greatest prophet and teacher. According to the book of Exodus, he was born in Egypt to Hebrew parents, who set him afloat on the Nile in a reed basket to save him from an edict calling for the death of all new born Hebrew males.

God made a covenant with the Israelites at Mount Sinai and delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses, who continued to lead his people through 40 years of wandering in the wilderness until they reached the edge of Canaan. He died before he could enter the Promised Land.

Moses was one of the greatest leaders of the Old Testament.  He led the people of Israel out of Egypt through the desert.  Moses responsibility as the Leader fell into five areas:

1. Intercessor Prayer
2. Biblical Instruction
3. Providing Qualified Leaders
4. Handling Conflicts 
5. Bringing Spiritual Breakthrough

1. Moses as Intercessor - Exodus 32:30-33

30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” 33 But the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book.”

1. Moses as Intercessor

Isaiah 59:16 says, “the Lord wondered that there was no intercessor”, no one to intervene.

1. An intercessor is one who intervenes between God and others, whether individual, church, community or nation.
2. Intercession is the slow painful process of waiting on God and haring from God, spending time in His presence and being still before Him.
3. Intercession is not only spending time with God and understanding God, but it is allowing God to put within us a spiritual burden for the congregation and for the vision.

2. Moses Teaching The Word of God

a. Exodus 18:19-20  (Jethro the priest of Midian)

19  Listen now to me (Jethro) and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. (Read 2 Timothy 2:15)

3. Moses Providing Qualified Leaders

Ø  Moses was instructed to select a particular kind of person to stand with him and help bear the load of leadership. These were to be able men. - 2 Sam. 17:10

Ø  Moses picked men who fear God –men who revered God. These men were to have a healthy respect for God and live a holy life.

Ø   Moses was to provide leaders that could  respect and trust. He choose men of truth, men not moved by financial gain. He looked for men who had the spirit of wisdom. - Exodus 18:21

Ø  These were to bear the burden of the people with Moses imparting his spirit upon them – Num. 11:17-25

Quotations

•      When God called a man to leadership, He calls him to do His Work and not the work of other men.

•      Leadership is an art of getting things done through people.

    4. Moses Handling Conflicts

God gave Moses the ability to handle the conflicts in the nation of Israel.

Not all conflict are negative.  See the positive side.

1. Conflict strengthens our character.
2. Conflict makes us examine and purify our motives.
3. Conflict reveals faults and flaws in ourselves and in the church.
4. Conflict teaches us spiritual endurance and spiritual carefulness.
5. Conflict even sometimes jolt us into the will of God.

     5. Moses Bringing Spiritual Breakthrough

The spiritual advancement of any group depends upon leaders capable of lifting up the rod and breaking through the obstacles at hand. The key is to move the people forward.

The following scriptures show the rod ministry (authority) at work:

1. To open a way where there is no way. – Exo. 14:16
2. To release water in the wilderness, refreshing the people of God. – Exo.17:5
3. To secure victories in the heat of warfare. – Exo. 17:9
4. To provide food for the flock of God. – Micah 7:14
5. To believe in signs and miracles from God. – Exo. 4:17

     5. A Spiritual Breakthrough

•      Israel needs a spiritual breakthrough.  A breakthrough is a victory that removes longstanding obstacles and releases the people of God into a new realm of spiritual blessings and freedom.

•      Moses lifted his rod (God’s authority) and divided the obstacles.

•      With God’s anointing on our rod we will break through every problems and obstacles before us.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father help us to pray like Moses – we desire your great presence in our midst. Lord, help us to seek your face and intercede for the people around us for salvation. We ask for your divine favour and power to do your will in every circumstances of our lives.Help us to know you more and more of your love and the sacrifice of Jesus for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.