Issue #60, July 13, 2011
The grumbling of the people right after the Red Sea crossing soon turned vicious. First, Moses’ brother and sister who brought him out of the water as an infant complained about Moses’ wife. Then, after the spies brought back their negative report the entire community grumbled and threatened to choose a new leader who would take them back to Egypt. Finally, Korah led an attempted coup with 250 key leaders. And you thought your people were difficult? Moses’ response to these attacks help us understand how servant leaders respond to those who simply won’t follow.
Servant leaders let God fight for them.
The attacks were vicious and brutal. The first one attacked his wife and called his authority into question. Korah’s rebellion was an outright attempt to take over his leadership. The response of Moses to each of these attacks was remarkable. He didn’t defend himself! Self-defense is an instinctive response. Nothing takes more strength than not fighting back! Leaders who are not servants react defensively when followers don’t follow. They use power or manipulation to force and control. Servant leaders don’t have that agenda. They allow God to fight for them. This requires deep brokenness in the face of personal attacks. It is no coincidence that it is in the context of Miriam and Aaron’s attack that the Bible tells us, Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth. (Num 12:3) Staying humble in the face of an attack is difficult and Moses, while a great example, did get very angry when Dathan and Abiram refused to come after he called for them. (Num 16:12-15) Servant leaders surrender their own ego for the sake of God’s agenda for the organization. They wait for God to vindicate their leadership role.
Servant leaders extend grace to rebels.
Amazingly, after Moses refuses to defend himself and God vindicates his authority to lead, he intercedes for them! Moses cried out to the Lord after Miriam was stricken with leprosy. When the people rebelled Moses and Aaron immediately fell on their faces and pleaded with God for mercy. Likewise, in Korah’s rebellion, they also interceded with God on behalf of the nation. Even after the earth opened and swallowed the rebels, Moses and Aaron interceded during the plague that killed 14,700 people. I’m afraid I would be thinking, Go get them God! Servant leaders keep serving others and at this point rebels need an intercessor, not a judge.
Servant leaders continue leading with truth.
When things finally quieted down after Korah’s death, the people realize their mistake but start heading in the wrong direction again. (Num 14:40-45) Without a hint of a vengeful spirit Moses calmly reminds the people of the direction they should go and warns them of what will happen if they refuse. Our natural instinct would be to let them go and suffer, but servant leaders are committed to lead, even when people don’t want to follow! Back at the burning bush Moses was called to lead, and his willingness to serve in this role didn’t change with every obstacle. He was still committed to pointing out the direction God was calling them to go. Servant leaders don’t quit easily! Leadership is not about them, their vision, or their agenda. Rather, they seek to be faithful to God’s call on them to keep leading and even in the face of sluggish followers they remain strong leaders.
When you find yourself in a situation where, like Moses, you are doing your best but followers don’t want to follow, ask God for the grace to serve like Moses.
The background reading for this issue is: Numbers 12-16.
For further reflection and discussion:
- When is the last time I felt that followers challenged my leadership? What was my response? What was happening in my heart at the time?
- Am I humble enough to resist my own desire for revenge when I’m attacked? What would it take for God to break my pride?
- Are there times that I become angry at those I lead? What does it indicate?
- When those who follow me go against my advice, can I still earnestly pray for them? Why or why not?
- When I feel resistance to my leadership, am I able to continue providing strong leadership with a good heart or do I withdraw and allow a leadership vacuum?