How can we apply Moses' example of leadership in our daily lives? The Scene in Numbers 11:2 “When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down.” (Numbers 11:2) The event is simple yet profound: God’s judgment fire breaks out, the people plead with Moses, Moses prays, God relents. In that brief verse we meet a leader who… • hears the cries of the people • immediately turns to God in prayer • stands between wrath and mercy Key Leadership Qualities Displayed by Moses • Compassionate Listening – Moses does not ignore the people’s distress. – He demonstrates James 1:19—“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” • Intercessory Prayer – He prays instead of panicking. – Exodus 32:11-14 shows the same habit: “But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God…” and God withheld judgment. • Courageous Advocacy – Moses risks placing himself between God’s righteous anger and Israel’s sin. – Psalm 106:23 recalls, “He would have destroyed them—had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him.” • Humble Dependence – Numbers 12:3 notes, “Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.” – Humility fuels his readiness to pray and not promote himself. Practical Steps for Today 1. Listen First • Pause and truly hear coworkers, family, or church members. • Resist the urge to fix or lecture before understanding. 2. Turn Problems into Prayer • Make the reflex of your heart the reflex of Moses: bring issues straight to God. • Keep a running list of concerns you are interceding for daily. 3. Stand in the Gap • Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8-9). • Defend the reputation of others when gossip or criticism erupts. 4. Lead with Humility • Give God credit for every success (1 Corinthians 4:7). • Accept correction without defensiveness, modeling teachability. 5. Expect God to Act • Moses prayed believing God would intervene; we can too (Hebrews 11:6). • Watch for specific answers and record them as testimonies. Related Scriptures to Strengthen the Lesson • 1 Timothy 2:1 — “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone.” • James 5:16 — “The prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results.” • Hebrews 13:17 — Leaders “keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account.” • Mark 10:45 — “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (our ultimate model of servant-leadership). Personal Inventory Checklist □ Am I quick to pray when problems appear? □ Do people feel genuinely heard by me? □ Whose burdens am I carrying before God right now? □ When I take a stand for others, is it done in love and humility? □ Can I point to answered prayers that flowed from intercession this week? |
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