When Leaders Lead Poorly

Leadership is always necessary.

But it’s not always good.

When leadership is bad, people suffer (often the most vulnerable ones). It can also create a crisis of state and, potentially, social collapse.

We’re moving onto chapter 3 of Isaiah in this series. Jerusalem and Judah are in just such a crisis. And God continues to explain why through His servant Isaiah.

“Behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah …the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder,” (Isaiah 3:1a, 2 ESV).

Let’s begin in verse 13, where we learn that YHWH took “His place in court” and judged the “leaders of His people” (verse 14).

The verdict?

They “ruined His vineyard,” plundered the poor, and failed to help them (verse 14). The Lord God of Hosts, Commander in Chief of Heaven’s Armies, staunchly objected, “What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?” (verse 15).

God contends with those who contend with His people.

An oft repeated principle was yet again restated: People are paid back for what they do (verse 11).

Judah forced God to respond in righteousness and justice and to defend the vulnerable being oppressed. God refused to idly allow leaders to mislead, exploit, or abuse the people of His vineyard.

So, God declared He would take away “both supply and support” (verse 1) and He would replace their leaders (verses 2-4). They would be given over to the social collapse they created.

What perpetuated this crisis?

Guides were leading the people astray (verse 12). Without good leadership, people were oppressing one another, “neighbor against neighbor” (verse 5). Whenever a community lacks good leadership, people inevitably exploit and abuse one another.

But, ultimately, the real reason is given in verse 8. (Well, to be honest, it’s not the first time God has alerted them. This is nothing new to them. God repeatedly warned them through several messengers up to this point. It is merely stated again within this context.) Jerusalem and Judah sinned in word and deed—without shame. They were “against YHWH” and defied His presence (verse 8).

The Honest Judge declared this truth: “They brought disaster upon themselves” (verse 9). Since they led poorly, God determined to put someone else in their place (verse 4).

The ideal leader is one who follows God’s lead.

When civic leaders lead poorly, there are social consequences. As for spiritual leaders, they are held accountable to God by God. But for everyone, leader or not, the reap-what-you-sow principle is always in effect.

In desperation, the people then seized anyone to exalt as leader. They reduced the qualification to the least denominator: If a man had a cloak, that was good enough (verse 6). Too often, people have risen to positions of leadership and authority without discernment but based solely on appearance or possession. However, the text also infers that there were those able to lead who refused (verse 7). People suffer when people do lead who shouldn’t and when people who should lead don’t.

Not a leader? Or an oppressor?

There is still a word for you in Isaiah 3: The righteous need to maintain righteousness—even in the midst of prevalent unrighteousness. There is judgment and consequence for both types of people—negative ones for oppressors and blessings for the righteous (verse 10).

Let’s give thanks for the good leadership in our churches. Let’s also support and pray for good leaders in our communities and government. And when crisis and chaos strike because earthly leaders fail us, let’s remember that the Lord never will.

God remains ever sovereign. He is the Lord God of Hosts. And in generous grace He gave His Son, who in turn sent the Spirit, to be our unfailing and trustworthy leaders.