Numbers 11-12

Are you a true leader? Let’s look at what Moses says to get a handle on what a true leader is like.

In just the second year of a 40-year journey, the Israelites (probably numbering at least 2 million) complained. They were palate-deprived, eating only manna…. missing the tastes of meat and melons and onions. This made the Lord “exceedingly angry,” which, in turn, troubled Moses. He felt the burden, asking God, “What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me?. . . Where can I get meat for all these people?. . . I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.”

God had a solution. He asked Moses to gather 70 elders from among the people. He told Moses, “I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone.” God set a time for them to go to the Tent of Meeting, and there the men received the Spirit and prophesied. Two of the men, however, didn’t show up (for some unknown reason). Yet they were found in the camp prophesying anyway. This upset Moses’ aide, Joshua, who wanted Moses to stop them.

Instead Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit on them!”

Moses wanted the anointing multipled to many, to ALL. He did not covet leadership or authority. He had no ego, no desire to be honored or respected above others. He was not jealous that another would have the same Spirit he did. Instead, he wanted ALL to have the Spirit and be able to hear from God for themselves.

Miriam and Aaron (Moses’ siblings) also talked against Moses, saying, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? . . . Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” It’s so easy to feel that way when you are under authority, not in authority; under leadership, not in leadership. The tendency of the sinful nature is to exalt self.

Then comes the verse pointing out Moses’ character: “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” He wasn’t jealous for his own leadership. God, however, was angry, and punished Miriam (and also Aaron through seeing Miriam suffer). Yet, even after being challenged by his own brother and sister, Moses was so humble that he cried out on Miriam’s behalf, and God listened and healed her.

Those who aren’t leading, especially those who are under leaders, can become jealous of the leader and his authority. They can covet his power, and second-guess him continually.

Those who are true, humble leaders just want to be unburdened of it! They would love for everyone to have the anointing, the power, the Spirit, in order to govern themselves and hear from God themselves.

Do you pass this leadership test?