A Eulogy of Disappointment

In the movie Gladiator, Russell Crowe plays is an iconic general in the Roman Army named Maximus. Revered by his men, he is one of Rome's most decorated generals. Known for his tactical genius on the battlefield, the movie begins with the general addressing his men prior to battle. Arrayed in brilliant regalia and emblazoned with the scars of battle and the spoils of victory, the trusted leader rushes up and down the line and with passion and ethos declares, "what we do in live, echoes in eternity". The line points to a very important truth that is underscored in Deuteronomy 34. It's the power of a moment and one stain on an otherwise stellar record of service and leadership.

Highlight:

'No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unparalleled for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do against the land of Egypt — to Pharaoh, to all his officials, and to all his land, and for all the mighty acts of power and terrifying deeds that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.' Deuteronomy 34:10-12

Explain:

In this section, we learn of Moses’ death. These chapters serve as an epitaph and eulogy for an incredible leader. All of Israel mourns the loss of such an iconic figure. No one would again be the leader Moses was. From the day God called to him from the burning bush, no had done more for God or seen God the way Moses had. The burning bush, the plagues, the Red Sea, the manna, the water from the Rock, the time with God, the pleading with God on behalf of the people, Korah, the Tabernacle, the serpents In the wilderness, the Commandments and the law, the tent of meeting, the wilderness wanderings, the warnings of Deuteronomy, so much of Israel’s history and so many lessons learned from the life and leadership of this one man. His humility, his wisdom, the way he prayed for his people by reminding God of His promises, the way he patiently addressed his critics, and so much more. What an incredible leader one who was “unparalleled for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do against the land of Egypt…”

And yet he is unable to lead the people into the land of promise. This was the one thing that he was commissioned to do. This was the thing that called him to do way back on the backside of that desert, to rescue God’s people and lead them to the land of promise. He did indeed lead them to it but not into it. It’s a bittersweet moment. For all that he was remembered for and one instance in his life, striking the rock instead of speaking to it, for that one instance he is unable to enter the land.

It had to have been a very difficult pill to swallow.

Apply:

What can we learn from these bittersweet pages.

1. For one we can learn the power of a moment in leadership. One moment in time had far reaching consequences. The moment we begin to think we are self-sufficient, the moment we feel that we have to react in the flesh, we end up impacting far more than we think we do. I’m sure Moses in that moment did not realize the ramifications of that one moment raised in the arm of the flesh. But that is the power of the moment. We cannot afford to be independent of God’s leadership in our lives as a leader for one single instant because the moment is too momentous for us to think otherwise. We have to be dependent on God as a leader in every moment.

2. When we act in our own strength independent of God’s voice we speak for God instead of allowing God to speak for Himself. The problem was that Moses did not view God as holy as set apart in that moment. Our God is holy and we owe Him explicit obedience and when we violate that in our lives we speak for God and say things that He didn’t say, God takes this very seriously. We have to obey Him because obedience is the proof our trust in His voice in our lives. When we disobey we violate that trust and God will not stand for His leaders whom He entrusts with HIs leadership to leverage that influence in such a way that is not in keeping with faithfully employing that influence in accordance with His wishes.

Respond:

God as I think about my own leadership, please help me to leverage it in accordance with your wishes. Guard me from leading with the arm of the flesh instead of being dependent on Your will and Your voice. Help me to listen to Your voice and be dependent on it so that I may lead faithfully and may I accomplish all that You desire for me to do and not be left on the other side of the river never having achieved it.