If you think this is about the former President (Obama) and politics, take it down a notch. Please. Your eyes have deceived you. Yes, this is about leadership and a man named Barak, but not the former President of the United States (whose first name is spelled, “Barack”).
In the book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, the story of Barak is told. At the time, male leadership was non-existent among God’s people. A faithful woman named Deborah served as judge. Through Deborah, the Lord told Barak to gather 10,000 men and attack the enemy oppressing Israel.
Barak refused to go. Here’s what he said to Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” (Judges 4:8)
In the margins of my Bible are comments like these: “Where are the men?” “Men, lead!” “Women, encourage the men to lead!”
Deborah did just that. Rather than simply take over and push Barak out of the way, she encouraged him to take his rightful place as a leader of God’s people. The Israelites triumphed, though the glory for the victory went to another woman named Jael. She drove a tent peg through the head of the enemy commander.
Do we have a Barak problem today? It’s fair to survey the landscape of especially home and church and ask, “Where are the men? Will they carry out God’s will to serve as spiritual leaders?” If they/we don’t, God’s people and God’s mission suffer mightily.
There is much to be learned from the apostle Peter in regard to Christian leadership. He is prominent, mentioned first in every Biblical list of the Twelve. He is prominent also with his spectacular failure(s) and restoration(s) by Jesus. Here are a couple of spiritual leadership lessons gleaned from Peter’s life and ministry:
1) Christian leaders make mistakes. Peter’s life – complete with his triumphs and failures – is as extensively detailed as any other person in the Bible. How Peter reacted to his mistakes is most instructive:
a) He owned up to his mistakes and confessed them (e.g., his bitter weeping after his denials of Jesus and his acceptance of Paul’s rebuke in Antioch in Galatians 2)
b) He took his failures to Jesus for forgiveness
2) Christian leaders seek to grow in faith. From Peter’s last letter: “Make every effort to add to your faith,” (2 Peter 1:5) and “Grow (Literally, “keep on growing”) in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Fellow servant-leaders – and I’m especially speaking to men right here – look to Jesus for forgiveness and strength when mistakes are made and failures overwhelm. And always, always go to the Word! “Keep on growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” You and I are entrusted with the privilege of leading both our families and our fellow Trinity saints in keeping Jesus and his Word the top priority in our lives.
What can you do – better, what will you do to combat the “Barak problem” today?
Peace in Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
In the book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, the story of Barak is told. At the time, male leadership was non-existent among God’s people. A faithful woman named Deborah served as judge. Through Deborah, the Lord told Barak to gather 10,000 men and attack the enemy oppressing Israel.
Barak refused to go. Here’s what he said to Deborah, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” (Judges 4:8)
In the margins of my Bible are comments like these: “Where are the men?” “Men, lead!” “Women, encourage the men to lead!”
Deborah did just that. Rather than simply take over and push Barak out of the way, she encouraged him to take his rightful place as a leader of God’s people. The Israelites triumphed, though the glory for the victory went to another woman named Jael. She drove a tent peg through the head of the enemy commander.
Do we have a Barak problem today? It’s fair to survey the landscape of especially home and church and ask, “Where are the men? Will they carry out God’s will to serve as spiritual leaders?” If they/we don’t, God’s people and God’s mission suffer mightily.
There is much to be learned from the apostle Peter in regard to Christian leadership. He is prominent, mentioned first in every Biblical list of the Twelve. He is prominent also with his spectacular failure(s) and restoration(s) by Jesus. Here are a couple of spiritual leadership lessons gleaned from Peter’s life and ministry:
1) Christian leaders make mistakes. Peter’s life – complete with his triumphs and failures – is as extensively detailed as any other person in the Bible. How Peter reacted to his mistakes is most instructive:
a) He owned up to his mistakes and confessed them (e.g., his bitter weeping after his denials of Jesus and his acceptance of Paul’s rebuke in Antioch in Galatians 2)
b) He took his failures to Jesus for forgiveness
2) Christian leaders seek to grow in faith. From Peter’s last letter: “Make every effort to add to your faith,” (2 Peter 1:5) and “Grow (Literally, “keep on growing”) in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Fellow servant-leaders – and I’m especially speaking to men right here – look to Jesus for forgiveness and strength when mistakes are made and failures overwhelm. And always, always go to the Word! “Keep on growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” You and I are entrusted with the privilege of leading both our families and our fellow Trinity saints in keeping Jesus and his Word the top priority in our lives.
What can you do – better, what will you do to combat the “Barak problem” today?
Peace in Jesus,
Pastor Stephen Luchterhand
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