Day 95, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Judges 8–9
The Perils of Leadership
Rock climbing can be challenging fun, but it is also dangerous. If we do it, then it is best to use the proper equipment and climb with a partner, but we must work around obstacles and avoid loose rock as we try to get a foothold or pull ourselves up.
Like rock climbing, leaders face obstacles and are in constant danger of slipping. And, if they bring others to the summit, will their triumph last beyond their leadership? Today, we will learn how to handle some of the perils of leadership.
Criticism
Obstacles to leadership often take the form of criticism. We should expect it. There are always people, even Christians, who do not or who refuse to recognize God working through us.
In our chronological Bible study, we are in the time of the Judges—rulers who delivered Israel from the oppression of her enemies. Gideon is the current judge. When he wins the victory over 135,000 Midianite, Amalekite, and other eastern armies with just 300 men, the tribe of Ephraim is upset because they were not called upon to help. They wanted credit for the victory. Although Gideon could lash back at them, he handles their sharp criticism with clever diplomacy and grace—he honors them and magnifies their accomplishments beyond his own (Judges 8:1-3). His answer defuses their anger and satisfies them. Diplomacy and grace is sometimes an effective tool when dealing with criticism.Opposition
Leaders must expect opposition, even when they are doing God's will. Gideon is winning a great war against the Midianites. Already his army has killed 120,000 soldiers, but he continues in hot pursuit of the remaining 15,000. Gideon's army is exhausted, yet the people in Succoth and Peniel are afraid to help them. His army indeed has his enemies on the run, but the odds are still greatly in Midian's favor, and they know how cruel the Midianites will treat anyone who helps their enemies. The leaders in Succoth and Peniel have no faith in God and how he is using this brave leader.
What about us—do we discourage Christian leaders and not help them because the odds seem too great that they might fail? We should give support and help to godly leaders.
Success
Gideon and his small army pursue their enemy until they are defeated, and God receives the glory. The people of Israel want him to be their king. Gideon knows it is the LORD who won the victory. He refuses the honor and says, “Let God be your king.”
Unfortunately, after Gideon wins the great victory he gets sloppy in his personal life. As compensation for the triumph over their enemies, he receives gold from the Israelites. From it, he makes an ephod (part of the sacred vestment of a priest). Perhaps it is a memorial for the victory, but the people worship it. Gideon forgets that leaders lead and people follow—how do we want them to follow?
People are naturally grateful for victories. If we are responsible for it, how should we respond to their gratitude? What if they sought to elevate our position in a great way? Would we feel humbled, or would we feel we deserved this honor and readily take it? Would we give glory to God or step on the loose gravel of pride and fall to the depths below?
Gideon also makes the mistake of having many wives and concubines (secondary wives with less status). One of the concubines lives in the town of Shechem and bears him a son, Abimelech. After he grows to be a man, Abimelech causes his family much trouble.
Train the Next Generation
When our leadership ends, will our success continue in the lives of our followers? Are we preparing others to follow the LORD's leadership or will they let go of the rope of his guidance and fall? We need to be careful about how we handle success.
Although he had seventy sons, Gideon does not train any of them or others to succeed him. As soon as he dies, the people go back into idolatry. In unbelievable stupidity, pride and wickedness, the Israelites let the Shechemites choose Abimelech to be king because he is a hometown boy. Abimelech then kills all but one of Gideon's seventy sons. What gratitude is that? God punishes the people by causing hatred between their chosen leader, Abimelech, and the people of Shechem. In the end, both Abimelech and the Shechemites are killed because they allowed Jerub-Baal's (Gideon's) seventy sons to be killed. This follows the prophecy of Jothan, the one remaining son of Gideon.
Focus Verses
2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”
Discussion
What are some of the ways we can handle obstacles to our leadership?
Why and how should we give glory to God when we are successful?
How can we help Christ-followers to keep holding the rope, not fall, and climb to the top?
Sample Prayer: Dear Father, you are holy, mighty, and worthy of all praise! Thank you for this lesseon on the perils of leadership. Please forgive me for the times I have not acted in faith, set the proper example, or served my interests above others. I pray that you will help me when opposition and criticism come, for they surely will. When you give success, I pray I will not seek rewards but continue to serve you and others better and better for your glory and praise. I pray I will be intentional about passing on my love for you with the next generation and mentor someone. You are my God. I rely on you. May your will be done in my life today. In Jesus name, Amen
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
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Looking Ahead: It is a common saying, “it is not what you know, but who you know” which will help you climb the ladder of success. Is this always true? Find out in our Next Lesson, Right Connections and Right Choices.
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