I read an article yesterday that asked, “Who can provide leadership to the Southern Baptist convention?” Good question. Meanwhile, I find myself on the search committee to find the Executive Director of the Texas Baptist Convention. It seems everyone is looking for a leader. What are the minimum requirements for someone who wants to lead in the Kingdom of God?
Israel was looking for a leader, too. After years in exile, God made a way for the people to return to Jerusalem, rebuild the temple, and rebuild the wall around the city. Israel’s history of leadership informs us. Historically, prophets, priests, and kings led the people of God. The tenuous relationship with their captors’ captors meant Israel could not just appoint their own king.
Nehemiah came as Governor to offer civil leadership. He helped rebuild the wall around the city. Haggai and Zechariah came to preach to the people as prophets. Sheshbazzar was entrusted with rebuilding the altar for sacrificial worship. Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, came to lead as a priest. His connection with Moses’s family, likely helped. But his best credentials to lead God’s people were his study, observance, and teaching of the Law of the Lord.
It is good to study God’s word. No one should lead God’s people who does not love to study God’s word. Such study should lead to observance. We must practice what we preach. Otherwise, we are educated beyond our level of obedience. Paul will later say that a pastor must be apt to teach. Ezra checked all three boxes. He loved God’s word, lived God’s word, and taught others to do the same.
Like ancient Israel, I sense Christians around the world looking for someone to lead us. I know we compartmentalize leadership and say, “Well I want my pastor to check these boxes and my political leaders to check others.” Israel and Judah ended up in exile, in part because unlike David, their political leaders did not walk in the ways of God. In the scripture, our division of secular and spiritual does not carry water. This is tricky because not everyone who talks about God knows God. God’s people follow people who follow God. Or, we end up in some sort of exile, looking for a leader.
There is hope. Jesus is our prophet, priest, and King who checks all the boxes. Let’s follow him, come what may. He will never lead us astray.
