How can we discern God's will when choosing leaders in our community? Seeing God’s Hand in a Community Crisis Judges 11:5 sets the scene: “and when the Ammonites waged war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.” The elders faced an urgent threat, so they sought the man God had already been preparing. Their action offers a pattern for recognizing God’s will when selecting leaders. Key Steps for Discerning God’s Choice • Identify the need God is highlighting – A crisis often exposes the kind of leadership required. – Exodus 18:21 shows Moses doing the same: seeking able men who fear God because the workload demanded it. • Look for prior evidence of God’s preparation – Jephthah was a proven warrior (Judges 11:1). – David tended sheep and defeated lions before facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:34-37). – God equips long before He appoints. • Examine character first, ability second – “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). – 1 Timothy 3:2-7 lists qualities—above reproach, temperate, respected—that outweigh résumé lines. • Measure candidates against God’s explicit standards – Exodus 18:21: “men who fear God, men of truth, hating dishonest gain.” – Acts 6:3: “seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom.” – Proverbs 16:12: leadership must uphold righteousness, for “the throne is established through righteousness.” • Seek corporate confirmation – The elders approached Jephthah together, showing unified conviction. – Acts 13:2-3: the Antioch church fasted and the Spirit confirmed Paul and Barnabas. – Unity guards against personal bias. • Pray for divine insight – James 1:5 promises wisdom to those who ask in faith. – Acts 1:24: “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen.” • Observe the fruit after appointment – Jephthah’s leadership brought deliverance (Judges 11:32-33). – Matthew 7:17,20: good trees bear good fruit; watch results to validate the choice. Practical Filters for Today’s Decisions 1. Scriptural Qualifications • Fear of God, integrity, truthfulness, self-control, servant spirit. 2. Proven Track Record • Has God already used this person effectively in smaller arenas? 3. Alignment with God’s Purposes • Does the candidate advance righteousness and justice (Proverbs 29:2)? 4. Congregational or Community Witness • Do mature believers agree the call is genuine? Remembering the Ultimate Model Jesus embodies perfect leadership: sacrificial, righteous, and Spirit-empowered (John 10:11; Hebrews 4:15). Every earthly leader should reflect, however faintly, His example. Putting It All Together When facing a leadership choice, follow the elders’ path in Judges 11:5: • Recognize the God-given need. • Locate the person God has been shaping. • Test heart and character by Scripture. • Pray together until the Spirit brings unity. • Confirm the decision through the fruit that follows. Relying on the literal, trustworthy Word, we can be confident that God still guides His people to the right leaders, just as surely as He did in the days of Jephthah. |
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