God's Commendation of Human Followship

As the account or story of the book of Exodus unfolds in Exodus 1:1-15:21, almost immediately the reader encounters the LEADER of Egypt and his TASKMASTERS (see Exodus 1:8-11 for the first time), and they will be very prominent in the story until the Israelites flee from Egypt.

The Pharaoh of Egypt in the days of Moses [probably Rameses II] was typical of human LEADERS throughout the centuries. There are certain characteristics that MOST [not all] LEADERS predictably follow the same pattern. A few of these characteristics are prominent.

1. LEADERS are afraid of their people. Pharaoh assigned Egyptian taskmasters to "bully" the Israelites BECAUSE he was afraid the Israelites might gain more people and power in the land. Leaders of nations, communities, organizations, institutions, churches soon become afraid of their people. Then, they begin to threaten their own people, ramrod their own ways over their people, and demand to their own ways when they are right or not.

2. LEADERS manipulate their people. Since LEADERS are mere human beings, they have their own ideas and beliefs and biases, and thus, when they have a LEADERSHIP position, they quickly set about trying to manipulate and control the people with whom they work. Pharaoh demanded that the Israelites produce a certain product every day, no matter how much he hurt these people to carry out his desire.

3. LEADERS stay aloof from their people. Many leaders in a nation or a community or an educational institution NEVER contact the people working with them. LEADERS excuse themselves by "reasoning" that they do not have time for their workers. It is interesting that JESUS had plenty of time to be with people. MOST LEADERS do not have the time.

It is very revealing that the New Testament NEVER uses the word LEADER in a positive sense. The Greek word LEADER {odegos} in the New Testament occurs only 5 times, and they are ALWAYS opponents of God and his people. Matthew 15:14; 23:16, 24; Acts
1:16; Romans 2:19.

Biblically, there is a TRUE LEADER of human beings: his name is God the Father through Jesus Christ. All TRUE Christians are FOLLOWERS, SERVANTS. When Jesus summoned Peter, Andrew, James, and John, his message was: "FOLLOW me" (Matthew
4:18-22).

The CRAZE of LEADERSHIP is a human invention, destined for corruption and failure. History has demonstrated this throughout the centuries, and it is still true today. God through Christ is the ONLY HEAD, the ONLY LEADER. Let us strive to be FOLLOWERS.

John Willis