What is critical for a deacon to savor? What is essential for officers in the church to appreciate? What are the most important characteristics of a leader?
Many books and authors note competencies that can help organizations run smoothly. For instance: experience in a field, success in previous endeavors, and clarity in communication are by and large sought after for those in positions of leadership. Yet the scriptures warn us that Eli was experienced… but impotent with corrupt sons (1 Sam. 2), Omri was rich and efficient, but “he did what was evil “(1 Kings 16:25), and Saul had a commanding presences as he was a head taller than all, yet presumptuous (1 Sam. 9). We must remember that “the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Therefore, it is best to turn our attention to God’s Word for understanding leadership.
In Deuteronomy 17:14-20, we read,
14 “When you come to the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and you possess it and dwell in it and then say, ‘I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me,’ 15 you may indeed set a king over you whom the LORD your God will choose. One from among your brothers you shall set as king over you. You may not put a foreigner over you, who is not your brother. 16 Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the LORD has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’ 17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold. 18 And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, 20 that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”
In our passage there are three dangers for those in leadership.
First, lusting for power by acquiring many horses (vs. 16). Second, abusing a position of responsibility for personal pleasure as summarized by acquiring many wives (vs. 17a). Third, acquiring excessive silver and gold at the expense of justice and equity (vs. 17b).
There are also two disciplines for those in leadership that are critical. First, all leaders must fear the Lord by keeping his word in obedience (vs. 18-19). Second, each person should pursue humility with a lowly heart (vs. 20).
God’s simple and concise description of a king could be understood throughout all ages; yet the aptitude and ability of those in leadership varies greatly throughout the Old Testament.
No one embodied the sum total of these verses until a young shepherd struck down the mighty Philistine. As we read through 1 Samuel, the passage bids us to ask if the poet, anointed by Samuel, takes on the noble calling to shepherd the flock of God with a skillful hand (Ps. 78:72). The answer comes at David’s ordination service in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. Here the man after God’s own heart is noted as the negid, the prince; while the LORD GOD is the recognized as meleck, the king. Why is there a shift in terms?
Because there was another KING. The Greater Shepherd, the Greater Son of David, the true Man after God’s own heart was Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ did not grasp for power, but used his position as a servant, giving his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:43-45) so that deacons would be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The carpenter from Nazareth did not give way to lust, but loved his bride, the church (Eph. 5:25-33) so that his servants would be dressed in his righteousness. Our savior did not acquire excessive wealth, but he bore a towel and left the glories of heaven for a cross (Phil. 2:5-8), so that leaders in congregations would marvel at the eternal decrees of the Father.
Beloved, cherish by faith that our Servant KING was humble and obedient for you. Jesus is the Faithful One, who accomplished all the work from his Father (John 17:4) so that you may hear the Father’s approval declared to you as the Word of God states, “You are my beloved Son… with you I am well please!” (Luke 3:22). Additionally, Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, who paid for your sins and failures as an officer in the church (Heb. 12:1-2). As the risen and reigning king, the Life-giving Spirit empowers us to righteousness works for sin is defeated and heaven is secure.
In Summary, union with Jesus Christ by faith is critical for deacons, essential for officers, and absolutely necessary for all those in leadership. May we all abide in Christ Jesus today to the glory of our Triune God and with much advantage to His bride.
Jere Scott Bradshaw became the Pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in March of 2015. He is a graduate from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication. After serving at Young Meadows Presbyterian Church as the Director of Youth Ministry for six years, he attended Westminster Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in Pastoral Studies. Before coming back to Alabama, Jere Scott was the Assistant Pastor of Discipleship at Community Evangelical Free Church in Pennsylvania. He is also currently the Treasurer for the Southeast Alabama Presbytery. Jere Scott is married to Dorothy, and they have three children.
