What other biblical instances show leaders seeking divine guidance before acting? Following David’s Lead—1 Samuel 30:7 “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, ‘Please bring me the ephod.’ So Abiathar brought it to him.” David pauses, calls for the ephod, and asks the LORD whether to pursue the Amalekite raiders. That reflex—“Seek God first, then act”—runs like a golden thread through Scripture. Early National Leaders • Moses – Exodus 33:15: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.” • Joshua – Numbers 27:21: “He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the LORD.” Joshua never marched without that green light. In the Time of the Judges • Gideon – Judges 6:36-40. Twice he sets out the fleece, unwilling to move the troops until heaven answers. David’s Ongoing Practice • 2 Samuel 2:1: “After this David inquired of the LORD, ‘Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?’” • 2 Samuel 5:19, 23: Two separate battles, two separate inquiries, two distinct strategies—God answers each time. Kings Who Looked Up First • Jehoshaphat – 2 Chronicles 20:3-4: “Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD… Judah also gathered to seek help from the LORD.” • Hezekiah – 2 Kings 19:14-19: Spreads Sennacherib’s letter before the LORD in the temple and prays for deliverance. • Josiah – 2 Kings 22:18-20: Sends emissaries to Huldah the prophetess to hear the word of the LORD before beginning reforms. Prophets & Administrators • Samuel – 1 Samuel 8:6: Distressed over Israel’s demand for a king, “Samuel prayed to the LORD.” • Daniel – Daniel 2:17-19: Gathers his friends to “seek mercy from the God of heaven” regarding Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and God reveals it. Post-Exilic Governors • Ezra – Ezra 8:21-23: Proclaims a fast at the river Ahava “that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey.” • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 1:4-11; 2:4: Months of prayer precede his request to the king, and even mid-conversation he shoots up a quick petition. The Supreme Example • Jesus – Luke 6:12-13: “In those days He went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God. When morning came, He called His disciples and chose twelve of them.” The Son seeks the Father’s will before selecting leaders for the church’s foundation. Common Threads to Notice • Crisis often prompts prayer, but routine decisions do as well. • Different means—ephod, prophets, prayer, fasting—yet one goal: clear direction from God. • When leaders seek, God answers, often with specific steps, timing, and assurance of victory. The pattern is unmistakable: those entrusted with influence pause, look heavenward, and only then move forward. |
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