Craig T. Owens

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The Israelites were barely out of Egypt, freed from 400 years of captivity, and they begin grumbling against Moses, their God-appointed leader—

     Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled around Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt—we do not know what happened to him.” (Exodus 32:1)

Then later, on the borders of their promised land, they were again doubtful that Moses truly had heard from God. “So they said to one another, ‘Let’s appoint a leader and return to Egypt!’” (Numbers 14:4). 

Have you ever wondered why these disgruntled people didn’t just leave on their own? If they truly thought that going to their Promised Land was impossible, why not just pack up their possessions and leave? 

Instead, they said, “We need a leader to help us leave.” In reality, they are really saying, “We need a leader that will help us do what we want to do.” 

Human nature is always looking for someone to validate their evil desires—to assure them that they are okay. 

Except they’re not okay. They are rebelling against God!

⛔️ There is a warning here for all of us. When we are looking for a leader to validate our feelings instead of looking to God for an unchangeable, objective standard to obey, we are in a dangerous place! 

Paul warned his friend Timothy, ”For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3). 

⛔️ There is also a warning here for leaders. Watch out when people come to you, asking you to lead or teach in a way that sanctions the way they want to live. You are in a dangerous place if you give in to the rabble’s demands! 

Paul also warned Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). 

Leaders, always remember that it doesn’t matter how many people follow you or tell you how wonderful you are. The only thing that matters is hearing the Judge say to you either, “Depart from Me, I never knew you” or “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (see Matthew 7:21-23; 25:14-23). 

Godly leaders don’t live for the momentary approval of fickle people, but they live focused on the eternal pleasure that only comes when they stay singularly attuned to our unchangeable God. 

If you are a leader, you may also want to check out these two related posts: 

• Leadership and Grumbling 
• Beware of Grumblers 

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