top of page
Search
Writer's picturejaredcampbell31
Apr 235 min read

The Bible Day 85: "Lessons on Leadership: From Moses to Jesus"

 

The Bible Day 85: "Lessons on Leadership: From Moses to Jesus"

This Study will delve into sacred teachings that have stood the test of time. As we embark on this journey, these passages will teach us how to become better leaders and followers throughout our spiritual journeys and relationships with our LORD. Now, let's buckle up, grab our Bibles, and delve into these timeless truths that are set in place to help us in our spiritual growth, growing a more robust, more profound understanding of our Creator.


Psalm 37:21-31 Study:

Verses 21-22: These verses say wicked people borrow money but don't repay it. Good people, however, are kind and generous. Because of this, they will receive blessings from God, while those who curse others will be cursed themselves.

Verses 23-24: Here, it talks about how if someone is living right and following God, God will help them stay on the right path and catch them if they stumble or face difficulties. With God's constant presence and support, they won't be destroyed but will be strengthened and guided.

Verses 25-26: The psalmist shares their experience, noting that God's faithful people are never abandoned, and their children are not left in need. Good people are always ready to help others and lend a hand without expecting anything back.

Verses 27-29: These verses advise avoiding wrong and doing good instead because God loves justice and won't abandon loyal people. Those who live a righteous life will have a secure future and be rewarded with God's unwavering support and love. On the other hand, those who do evil will not last.

Verses 30-31: Finally, it mentions that wise and good people know what God wants and will speak wisdom and justice. They follow God's teachings so closely they won't easily stray from doing the right thing.


Teachings:

  • Generosity and Integrity: Being kind and honest is essential, especially when dealing with others financially.

  • God's Guidance: If you live according to God's ways, He will help guide and support you through life's ups and downs.

  • Endurance of the Righteous: Doing what is right may not always be easy, but it leads to a more stable and secure life.

  • Justice Prevails: Ultimately, living a life of goodness and adhering to God's laws ensures lasting peace and security, whereas doing evil leads to downfall.


Theological Discussion:

2 Kings 25:7 describes the tragic fate of King Zedekiah's sons, who all were killed as a result of Zedekiah's disobedience to God, reflecting the severe consequences of not following God's commands.

Psalm 37:25-28 contrasts this by promising that the righteous will not all be forsaken and their children will not be left in need, showing that those living by God's laws enjoy His protection and provision.

Critical Connection: These passages illustrate the outcomes of our choices: disobedience leads to disaster (as seen with Zedekiah), while righteousness leads to security and care from God, ensuring a better future for the descendants of the righteous.


Luke 6:12-36 Study:

vv. 12-13: Who is Jesus praying to? He's not praying as if He needs to obtain grace or even a revelation from the Father. Jesus is praying because He is Advocating (Advocate) for all of humanity (St. Ambrose of Milan, see 1 John 12:1, & John 14:15-18). In John 14, in v. 16, Jesus says I will send you a "Helper" (Greek, "parakletos"), referring to the Holy Spirit; it also means Comforter, Counselor, and Advocate. Our Lord spent all night in prayer before selecting the twelve apostles. Our Lord did this to teach a vital lesson. Before choosing any candidate for any spiritual journey or ministry, we should all pray that God will reveal the best choice for the task (from the commentary of the Blessed Theophylact).

vv. 24-26, We see How Luke reports four "WOES"; these woes are not found in the Gospel of Matthew 5:1-11. What is a "WOE?" It's an unspeakable destruction (Isaiah 5:18-24, Amos 5:18-19, and Revelation 12:12).


"Those who prize these vices listed here are liable to the utmost misery; however, they find hope when they sacrifice their earthly blessings in showing mercy to others" (CyrAl).


v. 31: "The Golden Rule" This is part of our Christian virtue; our Lord wants us to take this to our hearts, every one of us, to make our desires that seek only goodness (St. CyrAl, "the natural law of self-love"), meaning this needs to be the basic standard of how we all treat one another, but if we look to v. 36, we see the first step in achieving the "Golden Rule," where God's mercy should be at the center of all of our ministries, or spiritual journeys. So, that means our desires should not come before the Lord's mercy.


Numbers 21:4-35 Study:

In Numbers 21:4-35, we read about the Israelites' journey in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Despite God's provision and protection, they repeatedly complain and rebel against Him. Consequently, God sends poisonous snakes among them, but He also provides a way to heal them by looking at a bronze serpent raised on a pole. This event teaches the importance of trusting and obeying God, even under challenging circumstances. Additionally, the passage recounts various battles and victories as the Israelites continue on their journey toward the promised land, demonstrating God's faithfulness in delivering them from their enemies.


21:9: Everyone who looked upon the bronze (Copper, if you're reading the LXX—Greek translation of the Old Testament) serpent lived. They lived and were healed, which signaled that the power of venom inside them was now dead. The snake bit Adam in the Garden, and that venom eventually led to his and Eve's physical death and decay in the grave (Genesis 5:5 and Romans 5:12).


  • Here is a connection: the bronze-copper serpent hung motionless, just like Christ hung motionless on the Cross (John 3:14), and His death and dead body symbolized the end of death's reign over the body of all humankind, "He trampled down death by His death, upon those in the tombs bestowing life." The copper serpent saved all those who looked upon it, not because it lived, but because it was killed, and killed it with powers that were subject to it, being destroyed as it deserved. And what is the fitting epitaph for it from us? 'O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory (1 Corinthians 15:55). The cross overthrows you; you are slain by Him who is the Giver of Life; you are without breath, dead, without motion, even though you keep the form of a serpent lifted on a pole" (GrgTheo).


Numbers 22:1-20 Study:

Balak, the king of Moab, becomes fearful of the Israelites' growing strength and seeks the help of Balaam, a diviner, to curse them. God warns Balaam not to curse the Israelites because they are blessed. Despite God's warning, Balaam initially agrees to go with Balak's messengers, but God is displeased with his decision. God sends an angel to oppose Balaam's journey, but Balaam is unaware of the danger.

Connection: (See Chapter 1 - the Book of Jonah)


Balaam was instructed by the Moabite king Balak to curse the Israelites despite God's warning not to do so. Balaam initially agrees to go with Balak's messengers, going against God's command.

Similarly, in the story of Jonah (Book of Jonah), God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh and deliver a message of repentance to its people. However, Jonah disobeys and tries to flee from God's presence by boarding a ship in the opposite direction.

In both cases, God intervenes to prevent their disobedience. In Numbers 22, God sends an angel to oppose Balaam's journey, and in Jonah, God sends a great storm to stop the ship Jonah is on. These parallels highlight the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God's instructions.


In Christ, love Jared W. Campbell





2 views0 comments

Kommentare

Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page