Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership
Exodus 22: 28 “You shall not revile
God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed
insults and criticism of HIM and of leaders HE put in place.
My Observations:
- GOD’s
ways will seem strange to humans because we have a sin nature that fights
against HIM.
- GOD
does not expect us to agree with rulers, but HE expects that we act like
HIM by not insulting them.
- GOD
puts HIMSELF as our leader in this statement and warns us that we should
not insult HIM.
Revile means to criticize someone or something very
strongly, angrily, and with harsh insults.
When GOD told Noah there was evil on the ark, HE was giving
a warning that even though humanity was physically saved, there was still a
problem. Humans needed a real and true Savior, namely JESUS. Canaan rebelled
against GOD and recruited many followers.
Now the children of Israel were about to go out on their own
and had the choice to rebel like Canaan. GOD warned them that complaining about
HIM or the leaders HE put in place for the children of Israel would be
problematic.
The scary thing about this statement is GOD does not give an
“or else.” HE allows us to be as free as we want, just like Pharaoh. GOD’s way
of hardening a heart is to allow the person to think they are right. This
solidifies their passion to continue to be right without surrendering to hear
what GOD is saying.
This type of person will complain in their heart about
leaders, good or bad. Terrible rulers have been put in place for centuries. BUT
GOD is the ultimate leader who loves us and cares deeply for us. We become more
like Canaan when we complain about rulers, even the terrible ones. GOD has the
bad ruler under HIS control.
Challenge
- Why
does GOD remind Moses, a leader, about HIS command about not angrily
insulting leadership?
- What
leader have you joined in to insult and how do you think GOD views it?
- How
are angry insults damaging your relationship with GOD?
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