The Inner Man: Chapter 28 - Searching Test to Leadership
- Worship God but worship Him in Egypt. Be a little religious but don't separate from the world at all. - Worship God just outside the borders of Egypt. Be religious but don't be fanatical be as much as the world as possible. - Let the men go and worship, and the women and children stay here: If you must break with the world, don't force such a narrow lifestyle on everyone else in the family. - Go, but the flocks and herds stay (appeal to greed): don't let your odd religious commitments get in the way of business and prosperity.
Know the four ways by which Moses was tempted to compromise and the form that this same test takes today.
Compromise Ambition The Impossible Situation Failure Jealousy
Name the five things that test our leadership.
He prayed and asked God to remove Miriam's leprosy (v. 13)
Read Numbers 12. Who settled the jealousy? What was Moses' only response in the whole episode?
- Korah accused Moses of selfishly taking the leadership of the Israelites upon himself- of making himself a prince over them. (v.3) - Moses threw himself on his face and appealed to God (v.4) - He prayed for them in order to stop the plague of judgment that God had sent. (v. 41-49). - God opened up the earth and Korah, his family, and all of his followers and their families were swallowed up alive. (v. 25-35)
Read Numbers 16:1-35. What charge did Korah make against Moses? What was Moses' immediate reaction? How did Moses later save the congregation from destruction? What happened to Korah?
Peter
What Bible character rose from failure to lead God's people?
"Worship God where you are" - Use the world's methods to worship God "If you must leave Egypt, don't go far; go just over the border." - Don't go overboard with your religion "Let the men go and worship, but let the children and the woman stay behind." - Opposite today - religion is for sissies "Take your family if you must, but leave your flocks and herds" - Hold something back from God
What are four examples of Satan's tests and what do they translate into today?
He offered to kill all of the Israelites and to make a great nation from Moses' family in their place.
What did God offer Moses that tested his desire for fame and power?
God is jealous for the leaders He has called and appointed. He honors them, protects and vindicates them.
What do we learn about God in the stories of Miriam, Aaron, and Korah?
That no failure needs to be final - whether of oneself or someone else.
What has the successful man learned about failure?
His purpose is to destroy you
What is the purpose of Satan's tests to leadership?
- The suggestion came from God Himself. - The Israelites were full of complaints toward Moses and unbelief toward God It very well might have seemed easier to allow God to kill them than to go on leading the people, but Moses was supremely concerned with God's glory and the welfare of the people he led/served.
What made this test difficult for him to pass?
- Aaron and Miriam challenged Moses' sole right to speak for God. They didn't want to have second place. - Korah challenged Moses and Aaron's right to lead the people.
What two attacks did Moses receive from jealous followers?
The Israelites faced the Red Sea in front of them while the Egyptian army moved toward them from behind. With mountains on one side and desert on the other, the people were trapped.
What was Moses' "impossible situation" test?
Promise to Abraham (Gen. 22:1-8) Test of Abraham's Faith (Gen. 16)
What was an example of God's test of leadership?
He did not try to vindicate himself and remained silent. He also interceded to God to remove Miriam's leprosy.
How did Moses manifest this B-attitude in the jealous attack of Miriam and Aaron?
He trusted in God
How did Moses react in those circumstances?
It affects the nature of his future ministry.
How does failure test a man's leadership?
He delights to bring people to a place where the only thing they can do is to trust Him, and then he displays His power and grace in doing the impossible.
In what does God delight?
Most failed God at some point but also refused to continue in their failure. They repented and God used them
Concerning failure, what was true of most Bible characters who became leaders?
Compromise is the partial waving of principle for the sake of reaching an agreement.
Define and explain compromise.
- Fear not!: It seemed foolish because they had every reason to be afraid. - Stand still: It seemed foolish because the Egyptian army was closing in upon them. - See the salvation of the Lord!: It seemed foolish because it seemed impossibly far away.
What were Moses' three commands, all of which seemed foolish, and why did they seem foolish?
In baffling circumstances
When is a true leader at his best?
Meekness
Which B-attitude is necessary to overcome jealous attacks from others?
Because impossible tasks draw out the full extent of a leader's abilities, teach them that they are dependent on others, and drive them to God.
Why did John Mott encourage leaders to deal with impossible tasks rather than easy ones?
He tests with compromise
how does Satan test to leadership?
