Called to Discern and to Teach

"You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the LORD has given them through Moses.”

Leviticus 10:10

Leviticus 10 begins with a tragic story of blatant disobedience. Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu, disregarded God's specific instructions for priestly sacrifices (10:1). Thus, the sacrificial fire blazed forth and consumed them on the spot (10:2). It's hard for us today to understand the gravity of the sin of Nadab and Abihu. Yet what they did was an affront to their father, the High Priest, and, more importantly, to the Lord himself. We don't know for sure why they were so insubordinate and disobedient, though Leviticus 10:9 suggests that they may have been drunk.

Be that as it may, this terrible event impressed upon Aaron and the Israelites the need to take seriously all of God's instructions. Moreover, it was the responsibility of Aaron and the other priests to discern and pass on God's standards and instructions: "You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the LORD has given them through Moses" (10:10-11).

Today, we who are leaders, whether in business or church, in government or family, have a similar calling to that of the Old Testament priests. Though we are not responsible for literally distinguishing between the sacred and common and the unclean and clean, we do have the responsibility of discerning between good and evil, between what is essential and what is optional, between the values of the kingdom of God and the values of the world. Wise discernment is one of the most vital functions of all leaders.

So is teaching. We who lead need not only to know what's right, but also to teach others what is right. In many cases, we should also teach those whom we lead how to discern right from wrong. No matter the context where you lead, teaching is an indispensable activity of your leadership.

This morning, I witnessed an excellent example of this kind of leadership. I stopped at my local Burger King for a quick breakfast. As I sipped my coffee, I observed the restaurant manager working with some new staff. He was quickly able to discern what his trainees were doing right and what they were doing wrong. Then, he was systematically teaching them both what to do and how to think. Through gentle rebuke and consistent encouragement, he was admirably fulfilling his leadership role.

So, whether you're the manager of a Burger King restaurant, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, or an elder in your church, or the mayor of your town, or a coach, or a parent, like the priests of ancient Israel, your calling is to discern what's right and to teach those whom you lead so that they might obey and glorify the Lord.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: In what contexts are you a leader who is responsible for discernment and teaching? Do you think of your leadership as a kind of teaching? How do you teach?

PRAYER: Almighty God, I thank you for the ways in which you have entrusted leadership to me. As I read this story from Leviticus 10, I am struck again by the gravity of the responsibility you have given me. Help me, dear Lord, not to take lightly your calling. Rather, may I exercise my leadership with a profound sense of honor, desiring always to glorify you in all I do.

I ask today that you help me to discern wisely as a leader. Help me to distinguish between right and wrong. Give me wisdom to know what's best and should be done, and what should not be done even though it's right. May I learn to think as you think, to see with your eyes and feel with your heart.

I pray in the name of Jesus, my Lord, my Leader. Amen.