BETTER TOGETHER | Spycraft!
Lessons in Leadership From the Twelve Spies
This issue focused on stewardship. May we all steward leadership opportunities well. Whether a pastor, church leader, parent, grandparent, student, or worker, we all have opportunities to influence and lead.
We all lead. The 12 Hebrew spies were all leaders (chiefs or heads) of their tribes (Numbers 13:2-3). Take time to assess who you lead. Ask, “Who do I influence through what I say, write, or post online?” The list will likely include people from your church, family, workplace or school, and community. The truth is, we all lead more people than we think.
Leaders follow through. Though we typically think ten of the 12 spies were failures, they led well initially. They fulfilled the task they were given, to spy out the land (Numbers 13:17-19). The assignment was difficult and dangerous and required great courage (Numbers 13:20), but they did it (Numbers 13:21, 25-27). Fulfilling responsibilities well is an important part of leadership. Whether preparing a message or Sunday School lesson or spending time with children and grandchildren, we cannot lead if we do not follow through (Proverbs 18:9).
Leaders look past obstacles. The unfaithful spies went awry when they saw the obstacles as impossible to overcome. Leaders point out obstacles, but they also stress how an all-powerful God can enable us to overcome them (as demonstrated by Caleb and Joshua). The unfaithful spies discouraged the people, and their influence led an entire generation to their eventual death in the wilderness.
Leaders use words (or social media posts) well. Negativity is contagious, so Caleb asked the unfaithful to be quiet (Numbers 13:30). This was like the command in Psalm 46:10 to “be still.” During a crisis, it is good to pause and remember God is in control. However, the unfaithful spies kept talking, and their words discouraged the people (Numbers 13:31-33). Statements like, “We’ve never done it that way, before!” or, “It won’t work!” or disparaging others on social media are actions like those of the unfaithful spies. If we are not careful, we forfeit our leadership opportunities.
Good leaders keep leading, even when the majority does not follow. Caleb challenged the people to go up at once (Numbers 13:30). He knew if they simply obeyed, the battle would be won (Numbers 14:8). But the people would not listen; some even wanted to stone Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:10). We risk God’s judgment when we fail to step out in faith. Even worse, we lead others into dangerous decisions. As a result, we miss the blessings of obedience — the Promised Land in Israel’s case (Numbers 14:32). In contrast, God honored Caleb and Joshua’s faithfulness and gave them the opportunity to lead the next generation (Numbers 14:24) into the Promised Land.
Though good leadership may not be recognized and rewarded immediately, it will be rewarded eventually, even if it is in the life to come. May we all steward our leadership opportunities well for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
