Change of Interests: The Evolution of the Israelite Leader

Change of Interests: The Evolution of the Israelite Leader

Change of Interests:   The Evolution of the Isrealite Leader

Ever since the Lord first made his covenant with Abraham, Israel has always
needed a leader.   The Israelite society grows and changes and their interests as a group
shift to allow the society to progress.   Throughout the Old Testament the Isrealites’
leaders reflect society in that they each represent what was needed in a leader at the time.
Moses becomes the first real leader of the Isrealites during the period when they
were forced to live in slavery in Egypt.   Even before the Lord speaks to him of his plan to
bring the Isrealites out of Egypt, Moses has a tremendous amount of compassion for his
people who he sees strugling under the heavy chains of slavery.   He shows his compassion
when he risks his own well-being to aid a fellow Isrealite:   “He saw an Egyptian beating a
Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk.   He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the
Egyptian and hid him in the sand”(Exodus 2.11-12).   This display of courage is the type of
action that probably led the Lord to choose Moses to deliver Isreal.   After God appears to
Moses in the burning bush, Moses doubts his own abilities to lead his people:   “Who am I
that I should bring the Isrealites out of Egypt?”(Ex. 3.11).   Moses isn’t sure that his
people will listen to him.   But the Lord wants Moses for his leader, and he reminds him of
his omnipotence and assures Moses that he will work through him to deliver Isreal.   “Who
gives speech to mortals?   Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind?   Is it not I, the
Lord?   Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak”(Ex.
4.11-12).   Moses recieves his wisdom and power from the Lord, which is a common
occurance throughout early Isrealite history.   After Moses delivers his people from Egypt,
the Lord makes his covenant with Moses and the Isrealites which is basically an agreement
between the two parties that the Isrealites will follow the...