1 Samuel 8: Faithful LeadershipBut the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."
Times of crisis require exceptional leadership. Samuel ruled during a difficult transition. The last judge in Israel, Eli, had failed, and Philistine armies were pressing in. With everything in flux, the Israelites needed someone worthy of their trust. Samuel was the leader for the times. He oversaw the change from a loose tribal federation to a monarchy. He anointed Israel's first two kings, wrote down the rules kings were to live by and then deposed one king, Saul, who did not measure up. Samuel ended his long career without a single black mark on his record, and the entire country mourned his death.
Samuel also showed remarkable versatility. A lifelong judge, he settled disputes in a regular circuit of Israelite towns. He gained fame as a prophet, alert to hear God's word and quick to proclaim it clearly-especially when God entrusted him with key information about the future. Finally, he functioned as priest, presenting sacrifices and prayers on behalf of God's people. He considered prayer one of his basic duties as a leader.
Like any good leader, Samuel sometimes had to bring bad news. When he was just a boy, her heard God's message of judgment against his foster father, Eli. Samuel also gave stern warnings about a king's potential abuses of power, abuse he later had to denounce in Saul. Yet the nation remembered him more for his positive contributions. Taking over the helm when the nation was near disaster, Samuel steered the course faithfully until he could deliver leadership to David, a young man whom would become Israel's greatest king.
Life Question: What type of leader do you respect most? What qualities does he or she reflect?
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Just as Eli provided parental guidance to Samuel at a very young age, I’m going to go with couples who have opened their homes to children and provided foster care for kids who have endured an abusive life. I personally have gotten to know a couple of different folks at church who have shown this kind of Christian compassion for needy children, and I truly can’t think of a finer example of emulating Christ’s love than what foster parents do for these kids.
3 comments:
I respect leaders who show their honor for the position God has put them in by the way they model Christ in their lives. The servant-leader always puts himself on the same level as his sphere of influence. He has to uphold truth and be loving at the same time. He opens up the fact that he is a fellow-struggler and is open to the correction of God in his life. He is confident in the power of the Spirit to make his own life fruitful and to be of help to others. His chief goal is wisdom and understanding. He knows that this is the gift of God and expects the Lord to lead in all things. He knows how to have fun and enjoy this life that God has given. He understands his identity as a child of God and wants to share this gift with as many as the Lord will provide. He devotes his life to being a channel of blessing to everyone in his path. I have been blessed in my life to have witnessed several of my leaders who have excelled in their giftedness and have made an awesome impression on my life.
Hey Rob ; Thanks for your faithfulness to this study. It is so helpful to do this with a brother who loves the Lord and has the desire to grow and follow the Lord. Your encouragement to me is much appreciated. I think worshipping together every Sunday creates a kindred bond that just keeps growing. God gives such generous gifts to me and working with you and our worship team friends is at the height of the list!
Hey Greg,
Actually, the thanks goes to you...I shamefully admit that I've never read the Book from cover to cover, and I'm not sure if I would have stuck with this project if not for your support and participation...thanks, man.
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