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Apr-14-0102-Good and bad leadership
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.
Apr-11-0101-Waiting on God
101_Waiting on God Exodus 32:1 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. Ex 24: 12-14“The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and wait there, that I may give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” 13 So Moses rose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. 14 And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you. Whoever has a dispute, let him go to them.” A young musician dreamed of being part of a world-renowned orchestra. She trained diligently for years, enduring long hours of practice, and sacrificed much to master her instrument. Finally, she was called to audition for the orchestra of her dreams. After a good performance, weeks passed, then months, without a response. Doubts begin to creep in. Did they forget about her? Was she not good enough? After two months, she considers quitting, thinking that perhaps she was never meant to be a musician. But behind the scenes, the orchestra conductor was deeply impressed with her audition. In four months, the right position would open up, one that would truly match her talent. He was waiting for that moment to offer her the position. If she had given up, she would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. In our spiritual lives, waiting can be agonizing. It can feel like silence, like being forgotten. The Israelites at Mount Sinai endured this pain, as did Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, David, and many others throughout Scripture. But God’s delays are not His denials. They are His period of proving and preparation. Waiting refines us, tests our faith, and positions us to receive His best when the opportune time comes. Exodus 24:12-14 narrates how God called Moses up the mountain to receive the law. He had prepared deputies to oversee the people and provide leadership. God is always a God of order, arranging for every situation. However, neither Moses nor the people were given a timeline for how long this would take. Their trust was tested as all they could do was wait. As Exodus 32:1 describes, “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.’” This is the greatest danger of impatience - it leads to idolatry. Israel, standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, had every reason to trust. They had seen God’s miracles in Egypt, His provision in the wilderness,
Apr-10-0100-Marks of a Spirit-filled man
100_Marks of a Spirit-filled man Ex 31: 1-6 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. 6 And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.” When asked how he produced his masterpieces in stone, a master sculptor answered, "I see the finished sculpture inside the stone. I just chip away the unwanted to reveal it." This statement mirrors how God calls and equips individuals for His work. Throughout history, God has chosen ordinary people, filled them with His Spirit, and empowered them to accomplish his will. One such example is found in Exodus 31:1-6, in the appointment of Bezalel and Oholiab. The vision of the tabernacle, and the detailed plan for its building, was given to Moses. The Lord who created the heavens and the earth by His word wanted his people to build him a dwelling place and sanctuary. He handpicked two men to lead the work, and others to help them. These men, with their frailties and sins, could not do the work of God unless they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the first instance in the scriptures where God fills a man with His Spirit. As with the rest of the Tabernacle, this is also a pattern that well repays a closer look. God invites Moses’ attention to the person whom He has chosen. “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri.” God picked out one man by name. Like everyone else, he was a slave in Egypt, making bricks for a cruel master. But now God calls him to do His work. It was not Moses, the leader, or the people, who recognized or appointed him by consensus or through any kind of test. It was God’s sovereign election. For all God’s people, Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” The name Bezalel means “in the shadow of God.” A man filled with the Spirit of God stands in the shadow or protection of God. Psalm 91 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Boaz speaks of Ruth in Ruth 2:12, “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by