There have been a lot of major events happening in the world stage in the last few days and each event is connected to a spiritual truth for God’s people. Late this week Vladimir Putin issued threats against Western nations who allowed Ukraine to use Western-made weapons to attack deep into Russia.
Not only has Mr. Putin threatened retaliation against NATO countries, but he also authorized the use of experimental ballistic missiles to strike within Ukraine. The Russian president isn’t interested in peace, nor is he seeking what’s best for Russia and its citizens. The dictator’s pursuit of power and use of violence reveal Putin’s selfish and sinful nature.
- Corrupt
- Greedy
- Deceptive
- Power-Hungry
The Russian president believes he can save his nation and make a great by using force and earthly might. In the late 90s, Mr. Putin replaced the Russian Prime Minister and soon was voted in as a president who would unite Russia and make it great again.
For 25 years Mr. Putin has ruled over Russia and sought to make a great. Mr. Putin’s Messiah complex has tarnished his leadership and his administration. His pride will stop at nothing until he gets everything he wants.
True leaders put others first and follow a higher being and purpose (1 Kings 3:5-14.) Leadership means caring more about other people than your selfish wants.
Leadership
Leadership is a confusing concept, we live in a day when a body wants to lead or be at the top, but no one wants to follow. Leadership comes with great responsibility that many people cannot handle. That is why there are more enlisted men than officers in the military.
Leadership is defined as, “The capacity to lead others; a position of leading.” It is a pride issue that causes most to lead instead of follow. People rather have power and control than be humble and follow another.
Christianity has a lot to say about leadership because God’s people need to submit to the leaders God puts in control over them. And those leaders will be held to a higher standard by God (Matthew 12:36-37, James 3:1.)
Disciples follow the ways of their rabbis who lead them. Leaders in the church shepherd God’s people by leading and teaching them the ways and purposes of God. These leaders will also be responsible for correcting God’s people when they disobey Him (Matthew 18:15, Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20.)
Leaders are shepherds in the church who care for and teach God’s people (Acts 20:29, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 5:2-3; 2:25.) The apostles remembered their Jewish education about shepherds and their leadership of God’s people.
Ro’eh
The Jewish people understood the analogy and purpose of shepherds better than most people today. The lost world was full of chaos and people doing whatever they wanted, including many who claimed to belong to God.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for Shepherd is Ro’eh and it can also mean, “A prophet or seer,” depending on the context it is used in. These shepherds watch over God’s people and lead them.
Israel was a simple nation of farmers and shepherds. When God explained to them how they had wandered away from His ways and purpose, He called them wondering sheep (Psalm 79:13; 23:1-4, Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 50:6, Micah 2:12.)
One of the names of God reflects God’s nature as a shepherd leading His people. A shepherd’s entire purpose is to care for the flock. Leaders like shepherds have many responsibilities as they care for God’s people.
- Lead
- Shelter
- Watch over
- Protect
- Discipline
- Comfort
The classic Psalm 23 looks at the loving nature and purpose of a shepherd who cares for the flock at all costs (Psalm 23:1-6.) We see how God disciplines His sheep when they disobey (Psalm 23:4.)
In the New Testament Jesus continues teaching His followers through this Jewish mentality by describing Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:14-21.) One of my favorite scripture is how Jesus states that His sheep know His voice and will not follow another, but run from them (John 10:3-5.)
Leaders and shepherds obey God and follow His commands, Jesus taught His followers to teach and feed God’s people God’s ways (John 21:15-17.) Again, we see leaders caring first for God’s people and God’s Kingdom before their selfish wants (Philippians 2:3.)
Netanyahu
In other big news this week the (ICC) international criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of the two top leaders in Israel for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. Benjamin Netanyahu’s pride has blinded him and turned him from justice to seeking revenge.
He has stopped following God and turned to the ways of this world. We serve a God of justice, not revenge (Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Proverbs 20:22.) Remember, God puts leaders in place to teach and shepherd God’s people in His ways, not to become like the world.
- Prideful
- Vengeful
- Uncompassionate
- Power-hungry
God puts leaders in place all over the world, to do His bidding, not their selfish evil pursuits (Romans 13:1-14.) Likewise in America and Christianity, we cannot become like the world God called us out of.
Jesus called the Disciples to teach them a better way of living than whatever this world can offer them (Mark 1:16-20.) Jesus led through humility, not pride and earthly power (Philippians 2:7-8.) He came to serve, not to be served (Matthew 20:28.) God’s people need to humble themselves and be more like their Ro’eh!
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