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 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.