Leadership and Moses: Exodus 3:1-13

Leadership Observations in the Life of Moses

1. Exodus 3:1-14

Moses led the flock toward Horeb—Empty Place—the mountain of God (v. 1)

• Leaders guide their organization towards God

• Leaders serve creation

• Leaders serve in business—flock

• Leaders do not seek leadership

• Ulysses S. Grant stated in his memoirs, that anyone who seeks leadership shouldn't be a leader because self-seeking includes seeking selfish gain. I am paraphrasing as I lost this book in my move to Dallas last year.
  

• Leaders do not always know in advance that they are being called to Leadership

• Leaders recognize and respond to God's prompting.

• Leaders are called and prompted by God despite our past transgressions: Moses committing murder (1:2).

• Leaders respond to God and seek his presence, which may appear as an "Empty Place" by the world's standards.

The Lord, "The angel of the Lord," appeared to Moses (v. 2).

• Leaders are approached by the Lord

• Leaders are enabled to recognize the Lord

Moses observed the burning bush with inquisitiveness, appreciation, and awe (v. 2-3).

• Leaders observe inquisitively

• Leaders are descriptive, yet concise, "the burning bush."

• Leaders avoid premature assumptions

• Leaders respond with appreciating and in awe when applicable

Moses confessed his need to "turn aside now" (v. 3)

• Leaders recognize we must turn, change direction.

• Leaders respond with a humble mind and spirit

Moses confessed his need to "turn aside now" (v. 3)

• Leaders change direction when prudent and/or necessary.

• Leaders respond immediately to the Lord, "now."

Moses observed the bush failing to burn-up (v. 3)

• Leaders observe details

• Leaders inquire of the unknown

Moses responds to God's calling his name (v. 4)

• Leaders remain available, responding to those seeking them

• Leaders are known of God by their first name

• Leaders respond to God

God spoke to Moses when he "turned aside to look" (v. 4)

• God speaks to Leaders when we turn, observe, and inquire.

Moses responds, "Here I am" (v. 4)

• Leaders state their position.

• Leaders respond affirmatively.

• Leaders respond in first person.

• Leaders respond respectfully

• Moses avoided saying, "Uh, yeah—What do you want?"

Moses possessed Godly fear (v. 5-6)

• Leaders fear God.

• Leaders possess wisdom, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom."

• Leaders are humble, especially before the Lord

Moses listens to God without interrupting (v. 7-10)

• Leaders listen to the whole message without interrupting (See Rick Meyer's blog post, "Do you finish God's sentences?")

Moses recognizes and confesses his inadequacy apart from God (v. 11).

• Leaders recognize and confess our ability to achieve on our own.

Moses receives notice of God's accompanying him (v. 12)

• Leaders receive God's presence when responding to God's assignments.

Moses receives instructions of God's sign that He sent him (v. 12).

• Leaders receive signs of God's calling and presence.

Moses is told by God that the sign, "worshiping God at this mountain" will occur after he brings the people out of Egypt (v. 12).

• Leaders worship God.

Moses is told by God that the sign, "worshiping God at this mountain" will occur after he brings the people out of Egypt (v. 12).

• Leaders are sometimes presented with God's signs after completing the task.

Moses tells God that he accepts the assignment of "going to the sons of Israel" (v. 13

• Leaders accept God's assignments.

• Leaders tell God they accept His assignments.

Moses says that he will state to the Israelites that God sent him to them (v. 13)

• Leaders tell their organization of God's assignment and that God sent us.

Moses considers possible questions from the Israelites (v. 13).

• Leaders think and plan ahead of possible questions and objections from those they lead.

Moses asks God of His name, an unknown answer for Moses to a possible question (v. 13)

• Leaders research unknown answers of possible questions, including asking God. Leaders pray in preparation of possible questions and unknown responses.

Summarization of Leadership Principles

Moses receives a major leadership promotion in this passage. He does not seek the position, rather he responds to God who initially speaks to him through inner promptings that direct him to lead his flock toward Horeb. He was inquisitive, amazed, fearful and in awe of the Angel of the Lord who appeared as a non-consumable fire in the bush. Moses recognized this negated man's understanding of the Laws of Physics. Moses affirmatively responds to God, "Here I am," and listens to God's instructions. Prudent leaders listen before responding. He verbally accepts the position and responsibility; leadership mandates their coexistence. He then considers possible objections and questions, followed by seeking the proper response. Moses seeks wisdom, from the creator and source of wisdom—Leaders seek God's wisdom. Moses, while receiving instruction for one of history's greatest assignments, remains humble.

Admirable skills/principles noted before arriving at Horeb—the mountain of God

1. Moses recognizes and responds to God's inner prompting
   1. Moses guides his flock toward God's presence
   2. Leaders serve creation
   3. Leaders serve in business—flock
   4. Leaders do not seek leadership

    

Admirable skills/principles noted after God's appearance

1.    Moses is inquisitive
2.     Moses recognizes God
3.     Moses possesses fear of the Lord

4.     Moses is humble

 

Admirable skills/principles noted after God's introduction

1. Moses listens without interrupting
2. Moses hears and accepts that God will remain with him
3. Moses accepts the position
4. Moses plans ahead
5. Moses asks follow-up, clarifying questions
   
    

Personal Application

It seems, based on this passage alone, that the initial prompting to lead one's flock toward Horeb—Empty Place—defies human logic. In reality, Moses encountered God at the world's Empty Place. Often the initial prompting and direction in leading people or an organization towards God defies human logic. Moses fears the Lord, is humble, inquisitive, and amazed regarding the unknown fire that fails to consume the bush. This openness to the known allows him to recognize, interact and receive instruction from God. Moses avoids ignoring God in the initial prompting, and he avoids reducing God's presence in the fire to human knowledge and understanding about fire.

 

Do I remain God fearing, obedient, and inquisitive of God's presence and action in my life? Do I, like Moses, respond, "Here I am"? Do I, like Moses, listen to all of the instructions without interrupting? Do I, like Moses, remain humble in recognizing and confessing my inadequacies of leadership? Do I, like Moses, prepare for leadership by considering possible objections and questions from those God asks me to lead? Do I, like Moses, prepare for leadership by seeking the Lord's word, wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for the proper answers?

 

I continually improve in each of these areas, while recognizing further development remains necessary the remainder of my life.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve Leadership with Christ!


Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickEmeyer.com

Running thru the Bible Subscription

Daily Running thru the Bible : $9.97 USD - monthly Weekly Running thru the Bible : $4.97 USD - monthly