Bible Studies

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Exodus 17:8-16
SUPPORTING OUR LEADERS________________________________________

After Moses had led the Israelites through the Red Sea and they entered the desert, God provided. God provided food (manna) and water for the people, but they grumbled and questioned their leadership and God Himself. Immediately after this grumbling, the Israelites were attacked; by the Amalekites. To beat back these attackers, Moses appointed Joshua to choose some men to go and fight. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill and Moses held the rod of God in his hands. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-one of each side so that his hands remained steady until sunset. And Joshua won against the Amalekites. After this victory, the LORD told Moses to write down what happened and that this enemy would be wiped out forever. Moses worshipped, and named the altar he built Jehovahnissi (the LORD is my banner). This passage shows the importance of leadership. God is the One in control, but He has appointed leaders for us. But as in these verses, leaders need our help and our support.

Leaders support us
Our spiritual leaders inspire us. Joshua led the battle and Moses kept the Israelites eyes lifted toward heaven and the ultimate help. It wasn’t easy for Moses to remain standing on the hill. He needed support. It wasn’t easy for him to remain holding the rod of God in his hands lifted up. In order to do the spiritual labor he was appointed to do, Moses needed support. Aaron and Hur were there to help him. Similarly, Joshua led the battle against the Amalekites; but he didn’t fight it alone. As our spiritual leaders help nurture the church and lead us through battles, do they have enough support from us?

After the battle was won, Moses made a written record to remind the people of this victory. He led the people to worship God who had again delivered them. Do we always remember to turn around and worship when we have experienced a victory? This is another job for spiritual leaders-to remind us to thank the One who delivers us, and to mark this memory so we can recall it the next time we face adversity.



Support leadership physically
God enables people for certain types of ministry: Joshua fights, Moses prays, Aaron and Hur assist him. There are many people who serve us within the church: pastors, teachers, elders, deacons, staff, assistants, volunteers, and even missionaries. They need our support in the form of assistance, respect, and participation. They also need our ideas, enthusiasm, and energy.

In order to fulfill the duties that God has called them to perform, full-time ministers and staff also need to have their material needs met. God has instituted a plan to take care of the ministers of the church. If everyone followed it, there would be ample provision for more ministers and staff to serve God’s people. Do we participate in God’s plan and help to further His kingdom work?

Support leadership spiritually
Pray for your leaders; as they intercede in prayer for you, do the same for them. Send them notes of encouragement, thank them, and let them know what is happening within the church. As Paul requested of the Thessalonians, pray for your spiritual leaders (2Th 3:1). “Finally, brothers, pray for us-that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly, and that it may be honored the way it is among you. Again, to the Ephesians Paul requested prayer for the sake of the Gospel: (Eph 6:18-19 (ISV)) Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert with every kind of effort and request for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that, when I open my mouth, the right words will be given to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the Gospel.”

Pray for one another. Pray for the leadership of the church, that God’s will may be accomplished. And step up to help those in leadership, that they may not become weary and overburdened.

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