“Go, assemble all the Jews who are found in Susa, and fast for me, do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, I and my maidens also will fast in the same way. And thus I will go in to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.” – Esther 4:16
Esther was the Queen of Persia, but there were some issues she couldn’t control. One, was that she was Jewish, and there was an edict that Jews were to be annihilated on the 13th of the twelfth month.
The other, was that she couldn’t address the King without the threat of being executed.
She chose to step into the chaos, exerting leadership, anyway. She was willing to sacrifice her own life for the good of her people; thus, she humbled herself, submitting herself to God’s care, issuing a command to her uncle for the people to fast and pray.
A few centuries later, in the early church, another crisis arose, …while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Acts 6:1
The leaders of the fledgling church responded to the need presented to them by choosing seven men of character to care for widows at mealtime.
They could have chosen anyone, but they focused on quality.
So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.” Acts 6:2-3
In Nehemiah, in the same era as Esther, we see the importance of accountability. In the 20th year of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah went to Jerusalem, where he led the people to rebuild the wall in 52 days. Ezra, then, read the scriptures to them, they followed the commands of Moses, and the example of David, and organized the priests and Levites. Apparently, Nehemiah remained there for 12 years, and was gone long enough for those in charge to become slack in their duties.
Nehemiah was appalled when he returned, and re-established the standards.
“…Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, being related to Tobiah, had prepared a large room for him, where formerly they put the grain offerings, the frankincense, the utensils and the tithes of grain, wine and oil prescribed for the Levites, the singers and the gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests.” Nehemiah 13:4–5
“But during all this time I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had gone to the king. After some time, however, I asked leave from the king, and I came to Jerusalem and learned about the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God.” Nehemiah 13:6–7
God has established each one of us as a leader.
It is important for us to allow Him to develop our character in our leadership, delegate to people of character, and keep each other accountable.
Think and Pray: How is God currently developing your character through a leadership challenge? Heavenly Father, Help me to not focus on my circumstances this week, but to focus on You and how You are leading and guiding me each day, in Jesus’ name, amen!
Eldon Kibbey has served as the Director of CBMC Indiana since 1998. His earlier career included a tour of duty with the US Air Force, a brief career in the aerospace industry with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, and then 26 years at the helm of a national janitorial service. Eldon and his wife, Sandy, are the parents of four children, and have three grandsons.
