What does "do not rule over them harshly" teach about leadership? The Text Leviticus 25:43: “You are not to rule over them harshly, but you shall fear your God.” Historical Setting • Spoken to Israel while outlining the Year of Jubilee. • Addressed masters who had taken fellow Israelites as indentured servants because of poverty. • God allowed limited servitude for economic relief but forbade oppressive oversight, anchoring leadership in reverence for Him. What It Reveals About God’s View of Leadership • Leadership must be restrained by the fear of God, not driven by personal power. • Authority is stewardship, never license; people belong first to God (Psalm 24:1). • Compassion is non-negotiable: the phrase “harshly” points to crushing, ruthless treatment—explicitly outlawed. • Equality of dignity: even servants are “brothers” (v. 46), so rank never erases shared covenant identity. • Justice flows from God’s character; to mistreat others is to deny His holy nature (Micah 6:8). Practical Applications for Leaders Today • Lead with empathy—seek to understand the burdens of those under you before making demands. • Use authority to build up, not break down; measure success by the welfare of the people you serve. • Develop policies that reflect God’s compassion: fair wages, reasonable hours, clear communication. • Hold yourself accountable—invite feedback and be quick to repent of any harshness. • Remember the audience of One: fearing God guards you from abusing power when no one else is watching. Supporting Scriptures • Exodus 23:9 – “Do not oppress a foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels…” • Proverbs 28:16 – “A leader who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but one who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.” • Ephesians 6:9 – “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven…” • 1 Peter 5:2-3 – “Shepherd the flock of God among you… not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” |
    |