POSTED 28 JANUARY, 2010

Shaken Leadership

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

While recently studying the leadership traits recommended by Jethro, in his counsel to his son-in-law Moses (Exodus 18:21), a Psalm of David took on a much more profound meaning—in light of current political events as the United States travails with a crisis in leadership. The parallels came to mind because it appears that a genuine political shaking of tectonic proportions is subliminally taking place.

Naturally without spiritual discernment (1 Corinthians 2:14), the proffered conjectures about the origin of the political shift being offered by the punditry, do not make specific reference to the inherent character flaws of most American political leaders. However, according to Psalm 15, it is evident that when a person, or in the case of failing leadership a group of people, fails to consider the simple requirements of the Scriptures and the summary of qualities noted by King David—the shaking will be pronounced. It will not only be the case with whomever is in charge, but lamentably, much of the society at large.

“A Psalm of David. O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken” (Psalm 15:1-5).

In summary fashion, listed below are twelve characteristics that the Psalmist notes are requirements for maintaining stability. When they are adhered to, people will not have lives shaken by double-minded actions, as they will be adhering to a code of conduct guided by fear of the Lord:

1.  walking with integrity
2.  working righteousness
3.  speaking truth
4.  no slander
5.  no evil to neighbors
6.  no reproach toward friends
7.  despises the reprobate
8.  honoring of those who fear the Lord
9.  swears to his own hurt
10.  no changing
11.  no charging interest
12.  ability not to be bribed

Several millennia ago, David was having to address questions about who could dwell in the Tabernacle of an immutable God located on the holy hill of Zion. Today, the American electorate struggles with a duly elected yet vacillating executive living in the revered White House, and a cadre of other legislators sequestered under a dome on Capital Hill. Without wanting to be judgmental, it appears from what is reported in the media that most, if not all, of the elected leaders suffer from a lack of the four minimal qualifications for leadership that Jethro presented to Moses for leadership in Ancient Israel:.

“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens” (Exodus 18:21).

It is noticeable that very few of America’s elected leaders have all of the twelve qualifications for avoiding being visibly, or internally shaken, to the very core, that David lists in his psalm. If you happen to be interested in seeing the truth about shaking with your own eyes or hearing it with your own ears, just watch and listen to some of these leaders in the days, weeks, and months ahead. You might have already seen or heard the shaking leaders, but now you will know from where the shaking comes.

The Psalmist’s solution: Stand on the Rock of God and do not be shaken:

“He only is my Rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6).

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.