Day 261, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Ezra 8:15–10:44; 1Chronicles 3:17-24
Godly Leadership
Some may think that being a minister is a simple job—you only have to work one day a week. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth. Whether you are a minister, parent, teacher, of some other Christian leader, godly leadership requires more than a once a week commitment. Today, we will look at the characteristics of godly leadership from Ezra, a priest and proficient teacher of Moses ’ laws.
From our last Bible study, we learned Ezra impressed Artaxerxes, king of Persia so much, he allowed Ezra to return to the land of Israel. He also allowed him to take any other Jews, and he assigned a royal delegation to travel with him. Ezra’s new assignment was to teach the people in Israel the law of the LORD and to appoint governors to act with justice and fairness. Ezra had a consistent, devoted character, and the king realized the God of heaven was with him.
Godly Leadership Is Faithful and Committed
In today’s Bible reading, Ezra takes his journey to Jerusalem. He looks at the group going with him and realizes there is not a single Levite among them. The faithful priest needs devout Levites to help with the temple service, to lead in worship, and to teach the law to the people. He sends a delegation of men to enlist some Levites to help. Two hundred- twenty temple servants and thirty-eight of the priestly line of Aaron, the original high priest, join Ezra and the others in their trek to Israel. Besides faithfulness, an excellent leader organizes a committed team to help accomplish worthy tasks.
Godly Leadership is Prayerful and Thankful
Ezra knows they need the LORD’s help to be successful, so he proclaims a fast for God’s protection. Bandits might steal their valuable treasures needed for the temple service. God protects them, and when they arrive, all the precious articles are safe.
In thanksgiving, the returnees sacrifice burnt offerings to the God of Israel: twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven male lambs, and, as a sin offering, twelve male goats.
They also deliver the king’s orders to the royal officials and the governors of the Trans-Euphrates region. His majesty orders them to fund the people and house of God (Ezra 8:35-36, NIV). This is a complete reversal of his previous decision.
Godly Leaders Devote Themselves to Their Tasks
After a few days, Ezra gets to the business at hand. First, there is an assessment of the situation. The report is not good.
The leaders came to me [Ezra] and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the surrounding peoples. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness. ” (Ezra 9:1-2, NIV).
Ezra is angry and grieves over the situation. He knows this rebellious behavior had caused God to remove Israel and Judah from their land and send them into exile. Ezra prays. He confesses the sins of his people and publicly shows his grief, weeping and throwing himself down before the LORD's house (his rebuilt temple)
Godly leaders lead others in repentance when wrongs have been done. Ezra’s grief draws a large crowd, and the people also weep bitterly over their sins. What can they do?
Godly Leaders Separate from Harmful Influences
One of the Jewish leaders suggests there is still some hope for Israel if they make a covenant with God to send away their foreign wives and children. This is a difficult thing to do, but Ezra agrees. So at an appointed time, Ezra and the leaders examine each case of infidelity and send the foreign wives and children back to their own lands.
Should today’s Christians do the same if they marry unbelievers? No, we are not Jews and are not in their situation. The Apostle Paul says,
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer , and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1Corinthians 7:12-16, NIV)
Although we are not called upon to divorce our unbelieving spouses, the broader principle of Ezra 10 applies to us. The Bible says,
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (meaning wickedness or Satan )? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? (2Corinthian 6:14-15, NIV).
God wants us to avoid getting into trouble by resisting a joint venture with unbelievers. This would include, but not be limited to, marriages. Unbelievers don’t share our spiritual values and may undermine them. Marrying an unbeliever can hinder the faith of future generations.
Adding an unbeliever to a church staff could cause spiritual compromises. Going into business with an unsaved partner could compromise its integrity.
If we want to maintain a close walk with God, we need to separate ourselves from close relationships or joint ventures with unbelievers. If we are already in that relationship, however, we should pray to God to intervene and help us.
Discussion
What four things from Ezra’s life show him to be a godly leader? How can we become one?
Why are unions or joint ventures with unbelievers a bad idea?
How does God want us to be separated?
Focus Verse
1Corinthians 16:13(NIV) “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rodney Harrier
Looking Ahead: How can we Lead in Tough Times? Get some answers and encouragement from Nehemiah in our Next Lesson.
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