Teamwork

Moses Had to Learn to Rely on Others
Exodus 17:9-13

Notice how everyone had his part to play: Moses, Joshua, Aaron, Hur, and the entire army of Israel all functioned in different capacities, but they were all striving for the same goal and purpose. Joshua could have said, “Wait a minute. Why do I have to go fight the Amalekites while Moses sits and watches from the hill? Why am I doing all the hard work when he’s the leader?” –Joshua knew that they both had jobs to do, Moses’ job was a different kind of job—and he respected the role that Moses fulfilled. It could be said that Joshua did the “hands-on” work, but Moses did the “hands-up” work. Every leader needs people to help hold up their hands!

Exodus 18:19-23
Perhaps to of the most difficult words for Moses was “let them” (v. 22).

Even though Moses learned about delegation through Jethro’s counsel, he was still struggling several months later with the tendency to do everything on his own. The pressure of bearing this overwhelming burden led him to tell the Lord, …(Numbers 11:14-15).

Instead of disciplining Moses, God responded to Moses’ distress in a compassionate and generous way. And instead of simply appointing other people to help him, God told Moses, …(Numbers 11:17-18).

It is important to note that this impartation of the Spirit was not so that other people would take over Moses’ leadership. This impartation was meant to equip and enable other people to help Moses in the carrying out of his responsibilities (Numbers 11:10-17, 24-30).  

Moses Had a Timothy
Exodus 24:13

According to this verse, Joshua was Moses assistant, Joshua was to Moses in the Old Testament what Timothy was to Paul in the New Testament. Joshua followed Moses faithfully and served him diligently. Joshua also embraced the mission God had given Moses.

Joshua’s commitment to Moses transcended commitment to a man; Joshua himself was deeply committed to the God. (Exodus 33:9-11). Notice, when Moses would return to camp, his young assistant did not immediately leave the tent. Here is a good example for all leaders. Yes, serve the leader, but also maintain a strong relationship with God yourself.

The Building of the Tabernacle

Yes, Aaron and Joshua were Moses foremost helpers, but Moses still enlisted the aid of others to help him carry out his divine assignment.

When the time came to establish the priesthood and to build the tabernacle, God gave Moses a specific plan and said (Exodus 25:40). God showed Moses the building blueprint, so to speak, but Moses didn’t do any of the actual building. Moses was instructed to utilize gifted workers to whom god had given wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (Exodus 28:3; 31:2-6).
(Exodus 39:42-43) says, “So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses.”
Moses inspected all their work and blessed them because it had been done as the Lord had commanded him.

The Tabernacle was blessed for several reasons: (Our Church Can Be Blessed…)

• When instructing the workers, Moses followed the pattern God gave him.
• Even though he was the one with the plan, Moses didn’t try to do the work himself. He trusted others to follow the plan.
• Moses enlisted talented, skilled people whop had the wisdom of God for the given task.
• The people to whom the tasks were assigned followed Moses’ instructions instead of trying to do things their own way.

In terms of modern leadership principles, Moses might be considered a micromanager in light of the passages we’ve looked at, but keep in mind that the tabernacle had a major prophetic significance. (Hebrews 8:5) says that it was “the copy and shadow of heavenly things.” So, anything that deviated from the pattern God had shown Moses would send a false prophetic message about Christ and His redemptive work.

While leaders to today typically do not (and should not) try to micromanage every detail of what their key leaders do, some oversight is natural and good. There are core values and priorities that the pastor desires to see reflected in every department and ministry of the church. Supportive ministers and supportive members should make sure that their work within the church reflects the pastor’s core values and priorities.

Remember

Moses was a great man of God, but he could have never accomplished what he did without the assistance of helpers—those people who not only accepted responsibilities and carried out tasks, but who also were anointed by and walked in the same Spirit.