Isaiah 9:16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and they that are led of them are destroyed.
The Level of Leadership
Though I cringe to say it, my kids definitely copy me. Oftentimes I see myself in the actions and attitudes of my children. It is far easier to see other people than it is to see ourselves. Whether you are a pastor, parent, or in another leadership position, the truth is, people will rarely rise higher than the level of their leadership.
Israel of old had rebelled against God, and God, because He loved them, had sent Assyria to chasten His people and bring them back to Him. The Bible says that they were proud and stout of heart. Instead of realizing her need for God, Israel persisted in her independence from God. Verse 13 says, “For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.”
“The LORD of hosts” is a military title. Israel did not realize that the Assyrians were merely a tool in the hands of a God Who wanted them to turn to Him. Instead of turning to the One Who chastened them in love, they turned away from Him. Verses 14-15 say, “Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day. The ancient and the honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.” From one spectrum of leadership to the other, their leaders had led them astray.
Verse 16 says, “For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are lead of them are destroyed.” The pride of the Israel’s leaders filtered all the way down to the depths of their society. All of us are under authority, but if we don’t obey authority, how can we expect anyone else to obey the authority that we have? If we are not doing right by God, how can we expect others to do right by us?
Verse 17 says, “Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men.” Instead of a bright future, these young men had a dark future because they did not respond to the chastening of God. They had not responded because those to whom they looked for leadership were no better.
Verse 17 continues, “Neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows.” Talk about harsh! God has a special and tender place in His heart for widows and orphans. But is it possible for widows and orphans to rebel against God? Of course it is. The most vulnerable of people are not absolved of the responsibility to do right by God because of some circumstance or weakness they have. The God Who wants to protect and provide is also the God Who chastens His people in order to turn them back to Him so that they can be in a place of protection and provision.
As you lead other people, whether as a pastor, as a CEO, as a police officer, or as something else, remember that people will rarely rise higher than the level of their leadership. As we look at those who follow us and wonder what needs to change, may God give us the grace to have hearts of humility and minds to respond in obedience to our authorities, and certainly to God.