Frightening Leadership Lessons on Mt Nebo

The last stop on the last day had us at Mount Nebo- Moses last stop and ours- fitting. It was a really good time of reflection and looking forward while remembering what’s behind.
One idea was in my mind as I looked at a similar view, if not the same view Moses had of the Promised Land in Deuteronomy 34.1-6. I can imagine Moses excitement of seeing this site. “We’re here! This is it! God is faithful! I can finally enter in!” God shows Moses the Promised Land and says, “This is it. And you’re going to die on the top of this mountain.” Wow… Moses, God’s chosen leader, dies not receiving the promise himself. The rest of the Tanakh constantly refers to Moses as a servant of the Lord- almost every time is mentions Moses again. There are some important leadership lessons in this- lessons that put the fear of God in me as I prepare to be a leader of God’s people. It’s truly frightening and awe-inspiring.

God says Moses died and could not enter the Promised Land for two reasons- “because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel” (Deuteronomy 32.51). Two sins inclined God to kill him. Seems harsh. On top of this, Moses is the one that saved the whole race of people through his intercession! “And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they not believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they” (Numbers 14.11). God says step aside Moses, I’m going to kill all these fools and start over with you. But Moses pleads with God and saves the whole nation. Moses could have been the only one entering the Promised Land, but because of His prayer, he saves a people.

Leading God’s people is a terrifying task for me. Hebrews 13.17 says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” On top of this, James 3.1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” I’m going to give an account and be judged with greater strictness as a leader of God’s people. Not many should presume to be teachers and leaders for sure. I’m not saying I’m better, and that’s why I’m doing it. There would be a thousand others things that would be easier or more comfortable. But God used those things to call me to ministry. God’s called me to this, so I’m going to chase after it. That’s scary, but God has promised me grace through the race. Oh how I need His grace.

Two things I learn from Moses- 1. He is a servant of the Lord. That makes him adept for leadership. A bit of an oxymoron- but true. Serving the Lord will equip me for leadership to people. 2- He was still able to bless the Lord at the end of His life. Why? He lived in obedience. In Deuteronomy 33, he blessed God and the people. He was not bitter. He ran the race and was satisfied with God, not His success in ministry. I hope that can be me at the end of my life and race.

In need of much grace,

Sos