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Judges 5:2 – Leadership and Volunteers
“That the leaders led in Israel, That the people volunteered, Bless the Lord! (Judges 5:2).
Spiritual-life is that simple, and yet that complicated. And in reality, all of life is that simple, and yet that complicated. I would like to say that generally, we are the only ones who make our lives simple or complicated. And while there is some truth to that, oftentimes our lives are simple or complicated due to the relationships we have with others as leaders and volunteers.
Simple – Leaders: The Holy Spirit’s leaders within a local congregation oversee the entire work of the church because they are our pastors (Acts 20:28). Concerning God’s instructions in our submission to His leaders, consider the following:
Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.
Simply put, leaders lead by example and by relationship. People follow and volunteer through example and relationship too.
Complicated – Leaders: What makes leading complicated is when the leading becomes frustrating—both to those leading and following. It should be our pleasure to make a leader’s responsibility joyful by willingly following their lead.
From a practical point of view, leaders can only lead when people are following. I forget who said, it, but someone observed that if you are leading and no one is following, you are simply taking a walk. Imagine how disheartening it is for leaders to periodically look over their shoulders and see they are alone! Disheartened leaders lead to complications.
For example, real life sheep herders (i.e., shepherds) can lead because sheep will follow. Cowboys push because cows do not follow. In herding, the difference between leading and pushing depends upon the mindset of the animal.
As spiritual sheep under spiritual shepherds, will we be willing to follow or will they continually have to push us?
Simple – Volunteers: Leaders lead when people follow. And conversely, volunteers follow when leaders lead. Good leaders help create good volunteers. Its that simple.
The best follower is a selfless volunteer dedicated to a cause greater than themselves. Our cause is the greatest.
Notice how the King James Version words our text: Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves (Judges 5:2).
Volunteers are those who willingly offer themselves. Kind of reminds me of 2 Corinthians 8:5—… they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God.
Back in Judges 5:2, the word translated “willingly offered” (KJV) or “volunteer” (NASB) is nadab, and means, “to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously:–offer freely, be (give, make, offer self) willing(-ly).” Are we volunteers? Are we willing to follow and to take the initiative in following by volunteering? Are we willing to give of ourselves, and give ourselves?
Complicated – Volunteers:
In looking at Judges 5:2, does it sound like the people waited for someone one else to volunteer first to relieve them of their responsibility? Is this “soldier” that volunteers the kind that is “drafted under duress?” No!
Some volunteers are self-motivated. Complications arise when we feel pressured to volunteer. Pressure leads to resentment.
Complications arise when the followers have nothing to follow!
Without leadership, most volunteers feel very uncomfortable taking the lead without permission. Volunteers need leaders. Without leaders, volunteerism dwindles.
The absence of volunteers leads to another type of complication—burnout. Too much falls on too few.
Spiritual life can be simple – things go well when the leaders lead and the people volunteer. When that happens, the Lord is blessed, and we all give Him the glory.
General Patton famously said, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.” Let me perryphrase…Lead so people can follow; follow so people can lead—or get out of the way!
Questions:
- What have you volunteered for lately?
- Do you usually find yourself volunteering, being drafted, or AWOL?
Prayer: If you are not leading and not volunteering, pray for a change of heart.
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