A leader is a person who goes ahead and influences others, not by force, but through guidance with verbal instruction and by being an example. This concept is critical because God's Word reveals that the failures of Israel and Judah as nations representing Him were largely due to poor leadership, with their leaders described as foolish and irresponsible shepherds. Leadership is vital to our calling as we prepare for His Kingdom, where we are to serve at a higher level of responsibility after Christ returns. We are being shaped into Jesus Christ's image, and leadership in spiritual growth is what God seeks in us as we overcome our carnal natures through obediently following His way of life. If we lead others in this life, it is primarily by example, without forcing God's way on them. To be a righteous leader, one must first be a serious follower, pursuing God's path with vigor. Jesus Himself is our ultimate example, speaking not His own doctrine but what He received from His Father, demonstrating the humility and obedience required of a leader. God calls individuals with potential, not those already perfected in leadership, and shapes them into what He desires, working through their cooperation to build the qualities of leadership He seeks in His children. A good understanding of the covenants is essential, as they provide foundational guidance and direction for our responsibilities to Him and our fellow man, helping us to prepare for leadership in His Kingdom by revealing His purposes and expectations. We must show leadership not only by knowing these covenants but by faithfully applying them in our relationship with Him.

Throughout Israel's history, godly leadership was often scarce, with only occasional figures like Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and David rising to guide the people. However, as Ezekiel 34 reveals, many leaders, described figuratively as shepherds, prioritized their own well-being over that of the citizens, the sheep, leading to poor outcomes. A leader, in this sense, is one who guides and influences others by example, not by force, encouraging them to follow and join in achieving objectives. Leadership extends beyond religious roles to include government, education, business, entertainment, media, and even parenting within the family. Humans, much like sheep, are dependent on quality leadership due to their vulnerability and the influence of satan's carnal mind, which can degrade community life into a survival of the fittest scenario, leaving many in despair. Isaiah 3:12 highlights the decline in Judah's community life, where poor leadership caused the people to err and stray from their paths. Similarly, Isaiah 59 portrays a culture in collapse due to self-centered leadership, resulting in widespread immorality and suffering. In the context of God's church, leadership remains crucial as Christians are being prepared for future spiritual responsibilities, including roles as a kingdom of priests with shepherding and ruling duties. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, sets the ultimate example of leadership, being qualified to guide through what He has already accomplished. Moses, a significant human leader, exemplified greatness under God in multiple roles—prophet, priest, political leader, governor, judge, and military leader—while remaining humble, kind, and approachable, never letting his high positions inflate his ego. Joshua, another exemplary leader from the Old Testament, consistently supported Moses and demonstrated faithfulness, even risking his life to uphold God's will. After Moses' death, Joshua assumed leadership with humility, submitting to God's authority and leading Israel to serve the Lord throughout his days. From the New Testament, the apostle Paul transformed from a persecutor of the church to a zealous servant of Christ, laboring abundantly through God's grace, embodying a profound change in character to become a humble yet courageous leader.

Leadership, as God desires in His children, is a quality that must be built through yielding to Him. A leader, in this sense, goes ahead to show the way, guides by giving direction, conducts with influence, and serves to motivate others without forcing them. True leadership creates followers who willingly allow themselves to be led by example, which can be for good or ill, and we must strive to be on the good side. The failures of Israel and Judah as nations representing God were largely due to poor shepherding, highlighting the critical importance of quality leadership. Christ Himself sets the ultimate example of leadership, having been prepared and qualified to open the scroll in Revelation 5 because of what He accomplished. His example shows us that leadership is developed through following, as He followed the Father's will without fail. We are called to imitate this pattern, following Christ to become leaders in God's way. As Paul urges, we should imitate him as he imitates Christ, understanding that such following, with the help of God's Spirit, produces true leaders who know what yields good results through experience. God does not call those who are already leaders in His way of life but rather those with potential, gifting them with raw materials to build the leadership He desires. This is a complete remaking, a new creation, as we throw off worldly traits and submit to His shaping. Leadership is thus created within us as we follow the Lamb, preparing us now for responsibilities in His Kingdom. We are being trained to serve as a kingdom of priests, bearing rulership and shepherding duties under Christ, which requires us to lead primarily by example in this life, not by force. This preparation is vital, as God is creating us into the image of Christ, and leadership is what He seeks in us. If we are not prepared to lead, we will not be ready for His Kingdom. Therefore, we must deliberately and consistently choose to conform to Christ's way of life, following His example to develop the leadership God desires.