LEADERSHIP – 3

The Old Testament was written for our learning according to the apostle Paul in Romans 15:4.  One lesson from the Old Testament is the need for leaders among God’s people.  During the period of the judges, God used judges as leaders. They had the responsibility of handing down judgments when there were disputes between people.  God also raised up specially chosen men to serve as military leaders when the people were oppressed.  One such judge was Gideon.

He led an army of three hundred to a very impressive victory with God’s help, a lot of help.  First, God chose Gideon, confirming the choice with the “fleece tests.”  Once convinced God truly wanted him for the job, Gideon called on the men of the area to come out for the battle.  After sending those who were afraid home, he still had too many.  God gave instructions for deciding which men were to serve for the battle. Three hundred men made up the army and they attacked at the changing of the watch in the middle of the night.

Gideon’s strength in leading the people was his submission to God and His plan.  He trusted God to perform as God promised.  He was a man who suffered from self-doubt, but not from faithlessness.  He knew God and trusted Him and in the process delivered the nation from oppression.

Gideon also displayed tact as a leader.  After the initial victory the enemy fled and the people of Naphtali, Asher, Manasseh, and Ephraim were called to help pursue the enemy.  The men of Ephraim were upset with Gideon for not inviting them to the first of the battle.  The New King James Version reports that the men “reprimanded him sharply” (Judges 8:10).  Here he could have responded in a number of ways, many of which would result in escalating hostility between the tribes.  Instead Gideon responded by saying, “‘What have I done now in comparison with you?  Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?  God delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb.  And what was I able to do in comparison with you?’  Then their anger toward him abated when he said that” (Judges 8:2,3). He knew how to give a soft answer.  He did not lie, he did not exaggerate, he simply pointed out the significance of what they accomplished.

Those who are presently leaders of God’s people, and those who desire to one day be leaders, need to learn from Gideon.  The first need is to follow God’s plan, even if it makes no sense from the human standpoint.  They also need to encourage and compliment each contribution and show how they all are of benefit in the Lord’s kingdom.

Denny