Overcoming Common Leadership flaws that were found in some Biblical Characters: Moses’ frustrations that fueled his temper

***Disclaimer: these comments are not to be construed as critical and from a position of superiority. They are written from a perspective of someone retirement age looking back praying Psalms 25:7 and hoping God will extend the age of "youth" past the age of 60.

Moses: nobody; somebody; nobody; somebody; persona non grata...the story of Moses' life.

He was born a 'nobody' in the land of Egypt, you know the story. I like the quip, "Remember, Moses started out a basket case...": 

• then he became (in his eyes) 'somebody' in the palace;

• then he had to flee for his life after killing an Egyptian overseer - back to being a 'nobody;'

• then he was back to lead 'his' people out of bondage - a 'somebody' again;

• then after leading 'his' people around in circles for forty years (and smiting a rock to get water when he was just supposed to "speak" to it)...God told him that he couldn't go into the 'promised land' but had to stay on a mountain and die - persona non grata.

"When you're up - you're up, and when you're down - you're down..." I imagine that there were many times Moses didn't know if he was halfway up or halfway down.

It's no wonder Moses had frustrations! People didn't appreciate him or what he did for them. He experienced disloyalty among his closest friends, and even family. There was even a mutiny or two and attempted coups.

He couldn't get a 'good report' from even half of his 'visionary' upper management when the ultimate destination was in sight!

It then took forty years of going in circles before ultimately being denied the opportunity to preside over the 'grand opening' of the new corporate real estate.

Would I have been frustrated?? No, I would have been ANGRY!

I feel for Moses. I understand Moses. I hurt for Moses. One of the biggest differences between Moses' attitude and mine (had I been in those situations) is that I would NOT have begged God to spare the disloyal rabble because of "what the neighbors" might think.

I would have been saying to God, "Look, what's a guy to do...he does the best he can with a couple million negative, non-progressive, unimaginative, heel-dragging, back-stabbing, ungrateful, ignorant, slaves and makes a mistake or two...AND CAN'T CROSS THE RIVER WITH THEM TO INHERIT THE LAND??? Is THAT fair?"

Yessiree...I would have long passed the line from frustration to anger.

So, Moses was human and had a character flaw that is very common among leaders - he shouldn't have let it fuel his temper because that is 'self' getting in the way of God's plan.

"The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God."