Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 28, 2022: SOAP #4470:  Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 27:15 Moses said to the LORD, 16 “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community 17 to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18 So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand on him.

OBSERVATION: Moses was being relieved of his leadership position and as a good leader he was concerned about who the Lord would have to take the position. 

The King James version gives verse 17 as: Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

The work of a shepherd in Bible days was to lead the sheep from the front.  To drive the sheep from the back, like one can drive cattle, would cause the sheep to scatter.  Cowboys drive their cattle; shepherds lead their sheep.

God’s people are like sheep and need a leader who leads from the front.  Like Jesus did for His disciples, the church leader needs to set the example. 

APPLICATION: People are willing to pay a lot of money for an education; they are looking for a teacher.  But I have learned more from “OJT” (on-the-job-training).  Learning from an example answers questions I did not know I should be asking.  It seems I remember an example longer than I remember a lesson. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, in some ways, and to some people (especially to our children) we are all leaders. Holy Spirit, help us to set a good example. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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