Moses was a leader that brought clear vision to the people around him. His constant message for FORTY years while in the wilderness was “land flowing with milk and honey…land flowing with milk and honey.” He recklessly pursued the mission and the vision that God had given him at the burning bush. (Exodus 3)
Think about this: After the Israelites had journeyed through the Red Sea, Pharaoh’s army was chasing them while the walls of water were gathered on each side. Once the Israelites fully crossed over, God closed the waters back over the Egyptian army, in effect, wiping out the only defense that Pharaoh had. This wasn’t just a few foot-soldiers, but the best that the Eqyptians had, including 600 chariots and the top commanders.
Who’s to say that at that time, God couldn’t have parted the waters again and let the Israelites cross back over and ransack and take the land of Egypt, full of riches beyond description? There was no more army to defend Egypt. This would be the perfect time to live large! However one thing was in their head….”the land flowing with milk and honey.”
What was it that Moses had, that led his people to believe in him and the vision that he gave?
I think there are five distinct values that Moses possessed:
- Articulate clear goals and do not give up until they are accomplished. Moses’ first goal, to convince Pharaoh to let the people go, was difficult to achieve; but ten plagues later, Moses led the people across the Red Sea to the Sinai Desert. Forty years later, long after most leaders would have given up, Moses led them to the edge of their destination; where his successor, Joshua, took them into Canaan, the Land flowing with milk and honey. Moses persevered.
- Hold to core values and not be corrupted by power. Moses delivered the Ten Commandments—core values from which he never wavered. Rather than become inflated with self importance as a leader of millions, he continually reaffirmed his faith in God. For the last forty years of his life as the people wandered in the wilderness, Moses held true to what he believed.
- Continually communicate the vision and give the hope of a better world. The people complained and wished to return to Egypt, yet Moses resolutely communicated the vision of going to the Promised Land—a land “flowing with milk and honey.” Although plagued with detours and difficulties, Moses kept the vision alive.
- Transform the people and organization by replacing old paradigms with new maps “outside the box” of conventional thought. A people who for centuries had been slaves in Egypt were transformed into believing they were a chosen people—the first great step to understanding they had a redemptive message and mission for the world. Help people believe in themselves.
- Exhibit love and devotion to the people. Although the people’s behavior continually disappointed Moses, he persisted in interceding on their behalf even after he learned he would not be allowed to lead them into the Promised Land.
