Leadership vs Follower-ship Problems - Numbers 13-17

 Numbers 17:1-7 (ESV)

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers' house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. Write each man's name on his staff, and write Aaron's name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers' house. Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.” Moses spoke to the people of Israel. And all their chiefs gave him staffs, one for each chief, according to their fathers' houses, twelve staffs. And the staff of Aaron was among their staffs. And Moses deposited the staffs before the LORD in the tent of the testimony.

In chapters 14 and 16 of Numbers we read about two rebellions to overthrow Moses’ and Aaron’s leadership.   Prior to that, in chapter 12, Moses and Aaron’s sister, Miriam, attempted a similar coup.   Even though God established Moses’ leadership by calling him from the wilderness, the people of Israel were not impressed.   The above passage is God's "once and for all" plan.  He is going to establish their leadership once and for all in the eyes of the people.  You would have thought that the miracles in Egypt would have done this.  You would have thought that the miracle at the Red Sea would have done this.  But, no, the people still rebelled.   Leadership is often challenged by those who simply do not wish to follow.   This is less the leadership style and acumen.   It has more to do with the failure of others to follow.   Follower-ship is not a learned and/or taught character quality.  It is assumed that if you are not leading you will be following. That is probably a false assumption.   In this case, God is going to demonstrate through ANOTHER miracle that Moses and Aaron are the leaders of God’s choice.   Remember, when Miriam tried to lead, God caused her to be overcome with leprosy.   When Korah tried to take over as the leader, God opened up the earth and swallowed  the entire clan.   Now God proposes a dead branch that brings for leaves and flowers.   God needs to intervene on the behalf of leaders to make sure followers know who God put in charge.   It is God who selects leaders.    Follower-ship is a quality we all need to learn.