102_Good and bad leadership
Exodus 32:1-6 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden[a] calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
Leadership is not about power or position but about influence and responsibility. History has seen both good and bad leaders—those who inspire others toward righteousness and those who crumble under pressure, leading people astray. A powerful example of this contrast can be seen in the story of Ernest Shackleton, the famed Antarctic explorer. When his ship, the Endurance, was trapped in ice, his leadership ensured that every single one of his men survived nearly two years of brutal conditions. His selflessness, wisdom, and courage saved lives. In contrast, Captain Bligh of the HMS Bounty is remembered for his harsh rule, which led to the infamous mutiny. These two leaders faced crises, but their responses defined their legacy.
Exodus 32:1-6 tells us about two leaders—Aaron and Moses—faced with a crisis, and their actions reveal the stark difference between good and bad leadership.
God had instructed the Israelites to wait in the camp until Moses returned from the mountain. Aaron and Hur were entrusted to resolve disputes and maintain order. Yet, when confronted with the impatience and demands of the people, Aaron failed to stand firm. Instead, he gave in to their desires and led them in making the golden calf.
Aaron must have known that he was doing wrong. Instead of resisting the people’s impatience to be off with some god or the other, he made an idol. The calf was fashioned from part of the very gold that God had enabled them to carry away from Egypt. That gold was meant for the construction of the Tabernacle, soon to be revealed to them as God’s gracious plan to dwell among them. The very resources God had given them for His glory were now being misused for idolatry. God entrusts us with time, talents, and resources, so that we may have the privilege of dedicating them for His kingdom. Yet, how often we turn these blessings into idols, as we place career, comfort, or personal ambition above His purposes.
When Moses returned and confronted Aaron, rather than taking responsibility, Aaron resorted to excuses and deceit. He blamed the people, claiming they were bent on evil. He declared that he merely threw the gold into the fire, and out came the calf! However, Scripture makes it clear that Aaron deliberately fashioned the idol, for his use of an engraving tool is mentioned. This is another mark of weak leadership—shifting blame instead of owning up to failure. True leaders accept responsibility and seek correction rather than deflecting fault.
Aaron further failed to restrain the people within the bounds of righteous conduct. Idolatry led to immorality. Exodus 32:25 states, “Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies.” Leadership is not about giving people what they want but guiding them toward what they need. When leaders fail to uphold discipline and righteousness, it results in chaos and disgrace. The Israelites’ unrestrained behavior not only dishonored God but also made them a laughingstock to their enemies.
In contrast, Moses exemplifies godly leadership. When God revealed the people’s sin to him, Moses did not dismiss it or minimize its severity. He shared God’s heartbreak over the rebellion. Like Abraham, Moses was a man whom God trusted, speaking with him as a friend. Leadership that pleases God is one that aligns with His purposes and seeks His will above all.
God declared that he would wipe out Israel in his wrath. He offered Moses the chance to be the father of a great nation instead. But Moses cared nothing for his own legacy; his heart was for God’s people. A godly leader is not driven by self-interest or ambition. His motivation is love for God, which translates into responsibility for those he serves. Instead of accepting personal advantage and glory, Moses interceded for the people. He held God to his covenant with their fathers. He pleaded God’s faithfulness. He linked his plea for mercy to God’s revelation of his own long-suffering and forgiveness. He pleaded that the nations would think God had destroyed his people because of his incompetence to fulfil his promises. He pleaded with every reason he could think of, that Israel might not be destroyed or rejected by God. They were oblivious to the value of being God’s people. Not so with Moses, who, like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, held God’s covenant to be more precious than anything else.
A true leader intercedes in prayer, but also takes decisive action. Moses did not tolerate sin but confronted it head-on. He ground the golden calf into powder, scattered it into water, and made the people drink it. Thus, he forced them to accept and identify with their unfaithfulness and sin. Moreover, he called for those who were loyal to God to rally to his banner. They were to execute those who persisted in idolatry, no matter who they were. This was necessary to bring the people back to their senses. Leadership involves making difficult decisions that may not be popular but are necessary for the greater good.
Finally, Moses demonstrated the ultimate mark of godly leadership—self-sacrificial love. He returned to God and pleaded for forgiveness on behalf of the people. He even asked to share Israel’s rejection. He was with Israel in good and in bad, faithful to the end. Christ, our ultimate intercessor, stood with us even though it meant the cross.
As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” Faithfulness is the defining trait of godly leadership. It is not about popularity, power, or success but devotion to God’s purposes. True leaders recognize themselves to be stewards of God’s mysteries, accountable to the true Master.
In our own lives, we are all entrusted with leadership in some capacity—whether as parents, mentors, workers, or friends. Let us learn from Aaron’s mistake. Let us not yield to pressure and avoid responsibility. Or are we leading like Moses, standing firm in truth, interceding for others, and sacrificially serving God’s people. Let us be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, using our influence to lead others closer to Him, rather than away from Him. God bless.