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A model for leadership

Psalm 145.8-14

Israel had emerged into history as a federation of tribes committed to the idea that they didn’t need a national leader because God was the one true leader who united them all. This idea didn’t survive contact with reality. In no time at all people like Gideon, who was supposed to be an inspired leader acting on God’s behalf to provide much needed leadership in a time of crisis, was acting like a dynastic ruler and trying to get his sons to succeed him. Before long the idea took hold that an anointed king was needed to represent God to the people and the people to God. Fledgling democracy gave way to emerging dictatorship, and all within a few pages of the Bible.

But the Biblical concept of leadership was further complicated by the enduring idea that kings might hold temporal power but prophets and priests are still called by God to speak truth to power and keep it in check, to remind the king (or queen) who’s really the boss. And the idea driving this relationship, that God is still the true leader who ultimately decides things, is also explored in this psalm.

What is the psalm’s purpose? Is it to remind the people that their real leader is God and that any man or woman who thinks they’re ‘running’ the country is a second rate imposter? Or is it to hold up to the king or queen the example of what real leadership looks like, and challenge them to try to reflect the same qualities in their own leadership?

So what are the qualities of true leadership? Abundant goodness, graciousness and mercy, a calm disposition, steadfast love, compassion, faithfulness, a concern for those who are struggling, and a determination to feed the hungry and to be just and kind in all his or her doings.

Do we know any leaders like this? And is this how we’ve practised leadership in our turn?

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