Introduction: “True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.” J. Oswald Sanders
Most of us are leaders in one way or another. We may lead at work, at school, at home, or at church. Husbands are to lead their wives. Parents are to lead their children. Children are often leaders of their younger siblings. Unfortunately, not every leader is a quality leader.
Transition: Ezra was a quality leader. Ezra 8 reveals to us several of Ezra’s leadership qualities. These leadership qualities remind us of our leadership duties and challenge us to improve.
1. Ezra Organised the Trip
a. He led the expedition (v.1).
1) He took the lead. Leaders are examples to follow.
2) As leaders, we must lead, even when we don’t feel like it. Husbands, God has called us to lead our homes by example as we obey the Bible. Parents, God has called us to lead our children in the paths of truth. We must set examples for them to follow.
b. He knew those who were under him (v.2-14).
1) He had a list of those travelling with him.
2) By this, we see that he was organised. Being an organised leader takes work. If you find it difficult to be organised, ask the Lord to show you ways to change.
2. Ezra Inspected the Travellers
a. He first gathered the travellers (v.15).
1) The number of people were 1754 males. This did not include the wives and children. Scholars estimate that the travellers included 5,000-7,000 men, women, children, and servants.
2) Ezra gathered them all together near a river where they would commence their travels.
b. He then viewed the people (v.15).
1) By doing this, Ezra was making sure that the travellers included all that would be needed in the Temple service when they reached Jerusalem.
2) He discovered that there were no Levites (i.e., temple workers). That had to be corrected. Thus, he sent men to try to get some Levites to come. He also must have prayed, for he gives God the glory for providing Levites (v.18).
3) As leaders in our homes, we ought to periodically inspect our families. Husband, how is your wife doing spiritually, physically, emotionally, etc.? Parents, how are your children doing in these areas? If you find things that are lacking, take time to correct the issues.
3. Ezra Sought God’s Guidance
a. He prayed for God’s direction (v.21).
1) He led the people in a fast and prayer for God’s direction before the journey began.
2) They sought the Lord to show them the right way to go. A wrong road may lengthen their trip or lead them a direction containing added hardships.
b. He prayed for God’s protection (v.21).
1) The road to Jerusalem would lead through dangerous territory haunted frequently by thieves, bandits, and even wild animals.
2) As a godly leader, Ezra was ashamed to ask the king for a military escort because he assured the King that the hand of God would be upon them. Therefore, they prayed for protection along the way.
3) Looking forward to the end of the trip, he notes the result of their fasting and prayer (v.23).
4) Our marriages and families face many uncertainties, choices, threats and dangers as we go through life. It is vital that we regularly gather those under us for prayer to seek the Lord’s direction and protection.
4. Ezra Delegated the Work
a. He chose trustworthy workers (v.24).
1) Ezra did not do all the work. He delegated things that others could do.
2) He selected 12 of the chief priests to carry the treasures. These were men who could be trusted with this task.
b. He assigned them duties (v.25-30).
1) He carefully weighed out the treasures to them. He obviously recorded the amounts and to whom each was given.
2) Such a job not only was a burden to carry, but it was a fearful responsibility.
3) As leaders, we too ought to delegate some of our duties. Husbands ought to delegate some tasks to their wives according to their skills. Parents ought to delegate many of the household chores to the children according to their abilities. We ought to also assign Bible reading for our children so that they are daily reading the Bible for themselves. Remember, faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
4) Someone wisely said, what we expect, we must inspect. This is certainly true in the family.
5. Ezra Gave God the Glory
a. He credited God’s hand upon him (v.31).
1) He says nothing here about the 14-week trip but jumps to their arrival and gives God the credit.
2) As a leader, Ezra gave God the credit for resting His hand upon them.
3) If you are like me, you do not give God nearly enough thanksgiving and praise.
b. He credited God for protection.
1) God delivered them from the hand of the enemy and from those who lay in wait to rob them along the way.
2) I hope that when we reach heaven, God will allow us to see the many times in this life that he protected us from harm and danger. I believe He often does this, and we do not even know it. We have a great God!
6. Ezra Finished his Tasks
a. He weighed the valuables (v.33-34).
1) He called in those who carried the treasures.
2) He weighed all that they carried to assure that it was all accounted for.
b. He led in worship (v.35).
1) Though not named, Ezra the priest likely led the people as they offered burnt offerings to the Lord.
2) These offerings were their tangible way of thanking the Lord for his protection.
c. He delivered the king’s commissions (v.36).
1) He met with the Persian leaders there in Israel and gave them the royal edict of the king that related to Ezra’s arrival.
2) The leaders then followed the king’s orders to further (i.e., lift up) the people and the house of God.
3) Ezra’s leadership was not over, but he had completed this phase. He remained faithful until the task was finished. We, too, as leaders, must remain faithful to the end.
Conclusion: This evening, we have observed Ezra’s leadership qualities. He organised the trip, inspected the travellers, sought God’s guidance, delegated the work, gave God the glory, and finished the work. These leadership qualities remind us of our leadership duties. Men, as the leader in your marriage, how are you doing? Are you loving and leading her as Scripture outlines? Parents, as leaders over your children, are you displaying the qualities Ezra displayed? Some of you may have leadership duties at work, if so, how is it going?
Displaying these qualities as a leader is not easy. We need God’s help. Perhaps, you need to set aside a quiet time this evening to talk to the Lord about your leadership and seek his help. With God’s help, let’s be quality leaders! Do those under you see Christ in your leadership?
