Aaron’s is a most difficult leadership journey. He was Moses’ elder brother, the central leader of the Exodus. Aaron, along with his sister Miriam, would have keenly remembered putting baby Moses in the bull rushes. They would have watched – with great family secrecy - Moses’ 40 years as a privileged son of Egypt. Struggled while Moses languished in excess and comfort while they made bricks, surviving hand to mouth, living among the suffering and enslaved people. We are first introduced to Aaron as a result of Moses’ failure. God tells Moses that “he [Aaron] can speak well, and is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you”. When God tells Aaron to go and meet his brother, we see no jealousy, anger or resentment in him. Instead, he accepts the mission and does not permit potentially significant personal baggage to get in the way.
A leader doesn’t let his past control his present - This could have gone much differently. Personal dynamics and internal jealousy can be powerful factors especially when it seems someone is given preferential treatment, while ‘I had to do things the hard way’. The internal dialogues that we can allow to get in the way of our relationships as leaders can be significant barriers. These internal issues can jade and colour how we interpret the behaviours and intentions of others. It is amazing how much soap opera politics can infect a team. It would seem that Aaron, with great maturity and grace, was able to lay this aside and focus on the primary goal to which he had been called. A Leader knows how to work in Team - Aaron starts extremely well. He speaks boldly and stands stalwartly beside Moses in the face of possible death. But keep in mind that Aaron was taking heat from two sides. First, there was the law of the land,in the person of the all powerful Pharaoh, who could command Aaron’s death with a wave of his hand. Secondly, consider the flack Aaron received, at the same time, from the very people he was trying to help. So, as you see, a leader’s position can be extremely tenuous. They must know where it is that they are going and stand resolutely in the face of forces that say “No, you cannot do this”. They must encourage and help the people they lead to hold the course – even when the present evidence seems to go against them. A Leader must be able to passionately articulate the vision so clearly that people can ‘see and taste’ the potential future. In many ways a Leader is a lightening rod that can get zapped from both directions. Over and over we see in the beginning of Aaron’s leadership that he did “what the Lord commanded” as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Moses. That must have been tough going though granted they saw powerful movements of God. However, they also saw the oppression worsen for the people that they were supposed to be delivering.
A Leader clearly supports those who lead them – Nothing causes more uncertainty, fear and disunity as when it is obvious that a leader does not have the confidence and respect of those they lead . This is akin to cancer in the body. It can grow, infect and destroy the life of a ministry/organization. With Aaron, we have a deeply moving image of his followership. In Exodus 17, a considerable threat arises that could destroy this new vulnerable nation: they are attacked by the Amalekites. God tells Moses to go up to the mountain and hold up his hands for all the people to see (we will examine Moses at a later time). Seeing the primary leader during times of crisis is essential for the people. However, the weight of Leadership can be exhausting: Moses’ arms begin to fall and with that the enemy takes courage, the people of Israel falter and the battle seems to be lost. Without prompting – Aaron and Hur see the danger, climb the mountain and stand on either side of Moses and lift up his arms until the battle is won. What an inspiring image to see leaders in unity for the sake of the people. Unfortunately, we often under estimate the powerful influence our leadership voices can have in in unison.
A Leader does not let the task completely consume them – When reading through Exodus you soon discover just how busy, and how much responsibility Aaron had. He headed up a massive new implementation plan. He was in charge of creating, training and implementing the whole spiritual life of the nation. It was not something established that he took over from someone else; rather it was monumental pioneering work. As such, the Book is filled with statements “Aaron shall do this… Aaron will do this… There is little question that it was a consuming task. I think it is here where we see a shift occurring in Aaron’s leadership.
A Leader learns how to manage power and prestige – A natural by product of effective leadership is often power and prestige. In themselves, they are not bad and can be effectual tools in a Leader’s toolkit. However, they can also be an addictive drug that, if the Leader is not careful, rather being a tool of the Leader, controls them. Unfortunately, it would seem that Aaron grew ‘afraid’ of the people. In order to continue to be seen as ‘the Leader’ he capitulated to their pressures and demands. However, we should not be too quick to judge Aaron because if anyone has been in a leadership role; they know only too well how great a force this can be. This is especially dangerous when you do not want to lose your seat of leadership and all the benefits that come with it.
A Leader accepts the blame when a mistake is made - Aaron’s response to Moses, as to the cause of the problem, is insightful. When Moses inquires of Aaron, his trusted leader and brother “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such sin?” Aaron responds, “Well, when they gave me their gold, I threw it into the fire, and – and, um, “poof” out came this calf!” Obviously, if you lead long enough, you are going to make at least one big mistake in your career. How that mistake is handled by a Leader is critical. Sometimes, the temptation is to respond like Aaron and try to spin it in order to divert the blame, but in reality all that really happens is the Leader looks foolish and incompetent. As difficult as it is, a Leader must face their error straight on and shoulder the responsibility. Sometimes, the reality is the error may be such that it is impossible for the Leader to retain Leadership. Many times, however, if a Leader owns the problem, they are given the opportunity to regain Leadership trust. But, when the leader fails to accept ownership, the effect on the people who are following is immediate. Moses saw that the people were ‘running wild and out of control’. If the Leader is not in control of themselves and the situation, and owning mistakes when they made, neither will the people who follow. A culture of blame shifting, disrespect and inconsistency will dominate.
A Leader manages their own household - This is where we tie back into the beginning of our look at this Ancient Leader and his fresh voice. Somehow in all the busyness , with all the pressures and demands, Aaron did not pass on the urgency and importance of the task to two of his sons. Perhaps Aaron’s shifting of blame was an indication of a deeper character flaw. Aaron managed to survive a costly mistake, whereas his two sons did not. It can seem unfair in many ways that his sons paid for their mistake with their lives. For us looking back, it is what it is. We possess no knowledge of what lead up to this, or the conditions under which it happened. However, it would seem, through the usage of “authorized” and “contrary to His command” that they had become cavalier and prideful in the conduct of their duties. The critical issue became, to allow such conduct would destroy the whole purpose and meaning of the work they were to do. Drastic measures were required to bring correction to the whole. Even today, there are times, when drastic measures are required that the general populous do not understand, or even approve in order to save the mission. Such is the price and burden of Leadership. We need to be ensuring that it is not our behaviours, attitudes and character that led to this need.
A Leader leaves a Legacy – In the long run, Aaron’s leadership had a profound and lasting effect on a nation. It had great and inspiring highs, and shame filled and deeply regrettable failures. However Aaron continued to lead in spite of deep personal pains and losses. It is certain, leadership has its gains and rewards, but what is often neglected in the telling, is it also comes with pain and loss. Some losses are self imposed, while others simply come into existence by the very nature of what it means to be a Leader. An earlier blog asked the question, “How can I become a leader?”. That question begs an additional question, “Why do I want to be a Leader?” The answer may be the very key to who you would be as a leader.
Any way I was just thinking…
Neil
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