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Magee's Biblical Leadership Theme
Report
Biblical Foundation of Christian Leadership (Liberty
University)
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Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Biblical Leadership Theme on the OT
A Paper Submitted to Dr. Dennis
Wilhite
In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for The
Course LEAD 510
Submitted by
Julius K. Magee
II L23443744
September 30, 2018
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Introduction
Real christian leaders are people who are moved at God’s pace, in God’s time to God’s
place, not because they fancy themselves to be, but because they are drawn to be like Him. Jesus
said unto them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19. The men and
women that Christ calls to follow Him are not people who are lazy. They are men and women
who are hardworking and industrious. God is not in the habit of calling men and women to serve
Him who are slothful and procrastinate.
If you become a poor employee on the job, you will become a poor employee for Christ. He
does not need persons of this kind. He requires submission, being able to follow, separation, to
follow Christ and separate yourself from others, and it involves the Savior, for Christ is the focus
of this calling. Christ must be and always your prime motivation and interest in serving Him.
With that being said, the Christian leader at the same time is one who is humble, courageous, and
is willing to stand up for the cause of Christ no matter what.
To hold on believing and knowing like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who refused to
bow down and worship the idol god of Babylon, and King Nebuchadnezzar who had them
thrown into the fiery furnace which was heated seven times hotter than usual. They had faith that
God would save them and He did. And like Daniel, who prayed to God only, not the king, who
knew he couldn’t change the law, had Daniel thrown into the lion's den. But Daniel believed in
God and followed God’s commands. God saved Daniel and used him to save a nation.
All this is a reminder that we should be just like the leaders of old, and the others in this
B.L.T. of the O.T., to not be arrogant, not be greedy, nor selfish. To stand up for God who has
created us, to lead His people of this age and the age to come, with all holiness and humbleness,
sincerity and truth, believing and keeping the faith, regardless of the opposition that lies ahead,
and showing others that we can still let our light shine before men until His return!
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Daniel Leadership
Daniel’s name means ““God is my judge”; or as others, “the judge of God,” as his Chaldee
name Belteshazzar means “the prince of Bel.” Probably from royal blood; compare Dan 1:3 with
1 Chron 3:1,1 The Babylonians sought to remove all vestiges of Daniel's nationality and religion.
For this reason, they sought to change the name of Daniel to Belteshazzar (Dan 1:7; 2:26; 4:8, 9,
18, 19; 5:12; 10:l). Daniel was transported from Judah to Babylon in his early youth at the battle
of Carchemish, 605 B.C. He was trained in the arts, letters, and wisdom in the Babylonian
capital. Eventually, he rose to high rank among the Babylonian men of wisdom. He was active
throughout the long reign of Nebuchadnezzar (604-562 B.C.).2
Daniel attributed his great escape from the lion’s den to his blameless character before God.
He understood the correlation of integrity and the providence of God. God gave Daniel
““knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom as well as insight into all visions
and dreams” (Dan. 1:17). His purpose was to make known God’s will, including the future of the
world.”3 “Because he trusted God, he was secure in his own identity, he knew the source of his
wisdom, he was a man of great, uncompromising courage, he lived with integrity and prayed
continually, and he never cowered nor didn’t fret his opponents.””4
Daniel found ways of serving God while living in a foreign land. And although he did
not have the opportunity to choose his leader, he knew that trusting in God would never fail
him even in a time of trouble. Leaders must continue to declare their allegiance to God and
be faithful, worship Him in spirit and in truth, so that God may guide them to a behavior that
is appropriate no matter what the cost may bring to them at the end of their journey.
1Fausset's Bible Dictionary
2Holman Bible Dictionary
3Pp. 567, 569, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament
4An excerpt of “Leadership Lessons from the Book of Daniel”
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Ezra-Nehemiah Leadership
“The name Ezra means “Yahweh helps.” and a priest in the return with Zerubbabel (Neh
12:1,13), and a prince at the dedication of Jerusalem's walls built by Nehemiah whose personal
name means, “Yah comforts or encourages” (Neh 12:32-33). Nehemiah held the distinguished
position of cupbearer to the king (1:11). This was an office of trust; tasting the king's wine and
food, the cupbearer stood between the king and death. That Nehemiah, a Jew and a captive,
served this Gentile king in such a strategic capacity was an unusual credit and honor to this man
of strong character.”5
“God’s sovereignty is on display throughout as we see the kings of the earth granting Ezra
(1:2-4) and Nehemiah (Neh. 2:6), with the authority to return to their native land for the sake
of rebuilding the temple of Yahweh, the wall of Jerusalem, and the faith of the Hebrews. We
now understand that all authority given to man is authority that originated in the mind and
heart of Yahweh for the good of his people and the glory of his name.”6 And should never
forget that.
Ezra being the priest that he was, reminded Israel that purity makes a difference and that
intermarriage must be dissolved, prays for them, and seeks ways to use his authority as part of
the solution for their troubles. Nehemiah led the rich and powerful to aid the poor and weak and
persuaded them to not exploit those who do not have, to lend without collateral or interest, to
give generously, and not benefit from their high standing of wealth or authority, but use it to
help God’s people. Always expecting a recompense for service from God and not from the
people.
Praying asking God to intervene against the opposition will move the heart to provide for
the good of His people who stay faithful to Him. Christians and non-Christians alike, will
recognize authority and follow the Lord without hesitation knowing that He is in control of all
things.
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5Holman Bible Dictionary
6P. 253, Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader (Biblical Theology for the Church)
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Nehemiah Leadership
“Nehemiah whose personal name means, "Yah comforts or encourages" (Neh 12:32-33), held
the distinguished position of cupbearer to the king (1:11).”7 “He gave the fragile community
physical stability. He learned of “trouble and shame” in Judah, Neh. 1:3, and obtained
appointment as governor there (ch. 2). With skill and daring, Nehemiah executed his imperial
commission to rebuild the city. He surveyed the walls at night to avoid detection by possible
opponents and organized a labor force. Under his expert supervision, the project was finished in
only fifty-two days, despite determined opposition (2:19; 4:1-3).”8
“Every act of his during his government does not ask for in advance or reserve beforehand
one who had no selfishness in his nature. All he did was courageous, generous, high-minded,
noble, and to the highest degree upright. But to stern integrity he united great humility and
kindness, and a princely hospitality. As a statesman he combined forethought, prudence, and
sagacity in counsel, with vigor, promptitude, and decision in action. In dealing with the enemies
of his country he was wary, penetrating, and bold.”9
“In directing the internal economy of the state, he took a comprehensive view of the real
welfare of the people, and adopted the measures best calculated to promote it. In dealing both
with friend and foe, he was utterly free from favor or fear, conspicuous for the simplicity with
which he aimed only at doing what was right, without respect of persons. But in nothing was he
more remarkable than for his piety, and the singleness of eye with which he walked before
God. He seems to have undertaken everything in dependence upon God, with prayer for his
blessing and guidance, and to have sought his reward only from God.”10
7Holman Bible Dictionary
8P. 563, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the Old Testament
9McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia
10 Ibid.
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Esther Leadership
“A Jewess of Benjamin, descendant of the captivity carried to Babylon with Jeconiah, 599 or
597 B.C.; who was born abroad. Her original name Hadassah means "myrtle." Her Persian name
Esther means Persian personal name meaning, "Ishtar" and is akin to "star," implying like Venus
good fortune.”11 “Heroine of the biblical Book of Esther, this Jewish orphan girl was raised by
her uncle, Mordecai, in Persia. She became queen when Queen Vashti refused to appear at a
banquet hosted by her husband, King Ahasuerus. Esther did not reveal that she was Jewish.”12
“Esther demonstrated the relationship between faith and fear in a world where excessive
materialistic and immoral indulgences are rated highly at the expense of religious belief and
piety which are suppressed and ridiculed.”13 Haman the Agagite, as vizier, demands that all the
people bow down to him, but Mordecai declines to accept to bow down to Haman. Angered,
Haman seeks and takes vengence to brutally and violently kill all Jews in the Persian Empire.
Mordecai learns of this and turns to Esther to interpose in and on behalf with the king.
Esther, risking her life, appears unsummoned before the king in an attempt to save her
people. She gains Ahasuerus’ favor and in a series of exercising skilled maneuvers, uncovers
Haman’s plot and foils his scheme. Haman is put to death, the Jews enemies are destroyed, and
Mordecai is now vizier. “Unless our faith be now and then raised up, it will lie prostrate; unless
it is warmed, it will be frozen; unless it be roused, it will grow torpid. Faith does not grow by
being pulled up by the roots time and again to see how it is getting on. Faith grows when we
look steadily towards God supplying all our needs and concentrating on him.”14 Leadership is
taking risk, standing by moving forward, at the right place and time, not failing, but trusting in
God.
11 Fausset's Bible Dictionary
12 Holman Bible Dictionary
13 P. 277, Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader (Biblical Theology for the Church)
14 John Calvin & J. C. P. Cockerton, from The Complete Gathered Gold
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Conclusion
Christian Leadership is actuating or impelling people on to God’s agenda. The Christian
leader’s task is to have people go from one place to another, from where they are to where God
wants them to be. And this is called influence. When God calls you, He changes you when you
clasp and except willingly that fact of being accountable for something within one’s power.
Once the Christian leader understands God’s will, they make every effort to move their followers
from following their own agendas to adjusting their lives to God’s will to pursuing God’s
purposes.
Christian leaders can influence all people anywhere, Christian and non-Christian alike. And
although challenges and difficulties may face them, Chrisitan leaders will generally be able to
move God’s people to achieve God’s purposes. God is on a mission, and His agenda will apply
in the conference meeting as well as in the supermarket. God can also use Christian leaders to
put forth into vigorous action significant godly influence upon unbelievers. “Without faith, it’s
impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that
he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Heb 11:6)
The joy of the Lord is strengthening, and it can be set by the good examples of Christian
living. They will lead most adequately to accomplish a purpose as they submit themselves
courageously and wisely to the authority of Christ in a world of which has authorities who strive
to outdo each other for acknowledgment, profit, and supremacy. Bringing salvation to God’s
people, leadership in the community of faith will always be the center form of focus.
That task requires leaders to grow into a more advance state of selfless devotion, take
personal chances of exposure to injury or loss (risks), and draw on every gram of power and
ability to recover from illness, depression, adversity and return to the original position, so they
can continue to possess to fulfil their goal and leave a lasting legacy to God’s own glory.
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Bibliography
1. Fausset's Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1998, 2003, 2006
2. Holman Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1991 by Holman Bible Publishers
3. Pp. 567, 569, Old Testament Survey: The Message, Form, and Background of the
Old Testament, 1996 by W.S. LaSor , D.A. Hubbard , F.W. Bush
4. An excerpt of “Leadership Lessons from the Book of Daniel”, from Jimmy Larche.com
5. Biblical Leadership: Theology for the Everyday Leader (Biblical Theology for
the Church) November 28, 2017 by B. Forrest , C. Roden,& R. Hawkins
6. McClintock and Strong Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006
7. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Copyright © 1996 by Baker Books
8. John Calvin & J. C. P. Cockerton, from The Complete Gathered Gold © 2006 by
Evangelical Press
