Leadership of the Exodus

I mentioned last week that I was in awe of the leadership and people that God used to deliver His people out of Egypt.  Here's my take on it.

First off, God used Moses.  Moses was born during a time when the Pharaoh (out of fear) had all the Hebrew baby boys killed.  Moses was saved and protected then sent down a river (again to save and protect).  He was found by Pharaoh's daughter (ya know, the daughter of the man who was ordering that these babies be killed) and grew up in Pharaoh's house as a prince in Egypt.  Moses was a Hebrew living in an Egyptian home.  As he grew, he learned the Egyptian ways, had relationship with Egyptians but also had his eyes opened to the fact that he was a Hebrew and what the Egyptians were doing to his people.  This led him to killing an Egyptian and living in the wilderness for 40 years. 

But here's what amazes me.  God told Moses to deliver God's people out of Egypt.  And when I thought about what qualifications Moses had, I realized he had connection with both the captor and the captives.  Moses could get an audience with Pharaoh because he was a prince of Egypt.  He could lead the Hebrews because he was one of them.  He was the connection between the 2 worlds.  Moses could talk to Pharaoh and the Hebrews.  Who else could've done this?

Because Moses did not grow up a slave, however, I think God sent Aaron and Miriam to help Moses' credibility with the Hebrews.

Aaron was Moses' brother (his blood brother).  When I look at the leadership of Aaron I realize that he was the one who could vouch for Moses and help the Hebrews to see the truth of Moses' leadership and plans for them.  He was the go between between Moses and the Hebrews.  Aaron had been a slave his whole life and could identify with the Hebrews.  He was also related to Moses and saw, from the beginning, the plans God had for his brother.  Without Aaron, Moses' job would've been infinitely harder.  Would the Hebrews have listened to just Moses?  Would they have followed a man who grew up in the Egyptian palace?  I don't know.  But this is why I think Aaron was vital.

And so was Miriam (Moses' blood sister).  Miriam was a prophetess and a worshiper.  And a woman!  I believe she had influence on the women.  Can you imagine being a Hebrew woman and being told to leave your homes and go to the desert?  Following a man you didn't know?  But then comes Miriam.  She was also a slave and lived her life as one.  But she was Moses' protector and saw the miracles God did to protect and save him at the beginning of Moses' life.  She also vouches for Moses and encourages the women to follow his leading.  She worshiped God along the way.  She led from the middle of the pack.  Miriam was also vital to the success of the exodus.   

Leaders don't always lead up front.  If you're a Moses leader then you have to.  But if you're an Aaron or a Miriam leader, you lead from the middle.  You encourage those around you to follow the leadership.  To trust God in the plans He's given leadership.  You encourage, you worship, you help.  Moses, Aaron and Miriam were God's chosen leaders.  Each for their unique role.  They were connectors between people.  Who are you a leader for?  What unique position has God placed you in to lead others?  Are you a Moses, an Aaron or a Miriam?

Here's how I see this played out in the church body.  If you serve in children's ministry or youth ministry or in another capacity where you aren't the "Moses" of the ministry, are you influencing the others around you to follow who God has chosen to lead?  I've had the privilege of doing this many times (and still do!).  Yes, I get to encourage others to follow my husband's leading, but I also get to encourage people to follow our Foursquare leadership.  God called these great men and women to lead our denomination.  I can use my influence and help lead like Miriam.

Are you using your influence to help lead from the middle of the pack?  Encouraging others around you to follow the children's pastor or youth pastor or other leadership?  God moved 2 million people across the desert (can you even imagine?!) and He used 3 main leaders.  What could He do with our church body if we lead from within?