The Test of Good and Godly Leadership

UV 1209/10,000 The Test of Good and Godly Leadership

And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.


Numbers 17 v 8

When all Israel rebelled against the leadership of Moses and questioned the priestly calling of Aaron, Moses conducted the litmus test of spiritual and wholesome leadership in an amazing miracle that is also a parable for all time. Moses asked the twelve chiefs or leaders of Israel including Aaron to bring their sceptre – a dried rod of the almond tree- to him. Moses placed the twelve rods each with the respective names of Aaron and the other leaders. He left the twelve rods in the Tabernacle of the Lord’s presence overnight. The next morning when he entered the tent, he found only Aaron’s rod had budded, blossomed, bore leaves and fruit of almonds on the dry stick proving that Aaron alone was chosen by God to be a priest to serve Him and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God. The dry stick of Aaron bore buds, blossoms of flower and fruits as well as leaves, all three appearing at one and the same time on the same rod against the course of nature proving that it was a sure sign from God confirming the priestly calling of Aaron. Moses had prophesied that this would happen before he asked the leaders to submit to this test. This put an end for all time the murmuring of the people. By not submitting to the leadership of Moses and Aaron, the people of Israel brought death upon themselves. It was a warning for all time not to rebel or complain or murmur against God-anointed leaders.
If we are watchful, prayerful and worshipful, the Lord will make our lives and our leadership fruitful and blessed in both natural and supernatural ways. He will cause both our leaves or our thoughts, our words, our hopes, our buds or our ideas, plans, projects, visions to grow and our flowers to blossom or the things that make our lives beautiful and fragrant, our almonds, fruits or results, achievements, contributions to be enduring and amazing. The lesson from this parable-miracle is that godly leaders will not just be outstanding but astounding in the impact and fruitfulness of their lives. When we spend time in the presence of the Lord, soaking in His grace, glorious things will happen to confirm that we are truly led by the Lord. The Lord will hasten or quicken even what is dead and dry in our lives to give a fitting reply to those who question our credentials, those who murmur, envy, rebel, accuse, place obstacles or hinder in any way.

The Lord will make our thoughts and words the leaves of the sceptre of leadership, our intentions , desires, goals and plans the buds, our acts of goodness, faith and grace the flowers and our effects, impact, legacy and work the fruits. Recently, when we had a time of prayer in the Tabernacle, our home , the Lord said, “ Your father was like Aaron’s dry stick but it has now budded, blossomed and borne leaves and fruit in the form of two brothers who serve the Lord.” The true source of effective leadership, the only source of the authority of both kings and priests is God Himself. Only those who truly follow God can be true leaders, priests and kings.

Prateep V Philip