In conversations on leadership and personal development, the cliche "Moses needed to go through 40 years in the wilderness to be ready to lead" frequently comes up. It implies that before leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness to the Promised Land, Moses had to spend four decades in the wilderness as a required period of preparation. This viewpoint may have some validity, but it frequently ignores a crucial element of Moses' journey: the reason he found himself in the wilderness in the first place.

We look into the life of Moses in this blog article, reassessing his time in the wilderness, and considering the decisions and events that brought him there. We anticipate learning more about leadership development, personal development, and the effects of putting matters into one's own hands as a result of doing this.

A Reluctant Leader: Moses

Moses' initial reluctance to assume the role of a leader must be understood before we can examine his wilderness experience. The biblical account recounted in the book of Exodus claims that Moses was born when Pharaoh had ordered the execution of all Hebrew male newborns. By putting him in a basket and lowering him into the Nile River, his mother saved him. Fortunately, the daughter of the pharaoh found him and took him home, raising him as a prince of Egypt.

Despite growing up in luxury, Moses never lost sight of his Jewish roots. He once saw an Egyptian slave owner thrashing an Israelite servant. Moses, who was outraged, stepped in and killed the Egyptian. He left Egypt after becoming aware that his deed was known and went in search of safety in Midian.

Wilderness as a Place of Refuge

Beginning with his exodus from Egypt, Moses spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. It's crucial to understand that Moses was compelled to follow this route out of fear for his safety and the repercussions of his decisions. He got hitched to Zipporah, a Midianite priest's daughter, in Midian, where he took care of his father-in-law's flock as a shepherd.

For Moses, the desert served both a haven and a place to think. Here, far from the richness and comfort of Egypt, he started a new chapter in his life. He had a chance to reflect and learn about himself because of the wilderness's solitude and simplicity. He came across the burning bush at this time, which turned his life around and gave him the opportunity to answer God's call to free the Israelites from slavery.

How Important the Burning Bush Is

A turning point in Moses' life was his experience with the burning bush. Exodus 3 tells the story of Moses spotting a bush that was on fire yet was not devoured by the flames. A voice that claimed to be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob came from the bush as he got closer to it to look.

God revealed His plan to free the Israelites from captivity and lead them to a land abounding in milk and honey during this encounter. Out of his sovereign will and design, he selected Moses. Moses yet showed hesitancy despite his newfound humility and sense of purpose. He doubted his capacity to serve as a leader and even prayed for God to send someone else.

The Reaction of God to Moses

God responded to Moses' fear by showing him proofs of His might and assuring him that He would be by his side during the journey. Additionally, He revealed His divine name, "I AM WHO I AM," which stands for His eternity and constancy.

It's crucial to understand that even though Moses might have been reluctant to take on the responsibilities of a leader, God saw potential in him. Moses had talent, and God thought he could develop into the leader the Israelites needed. This recognition is an essential component of leadership development since it frequently calls for someone to see potential in someone else that they themselves might not notice.

A Crucible for Transformation: The Wilderness

Now let's go back to the statement that "Moses needed to go through 40 years in the wilderness to be ready to lead." Although this assertion may oversimplify Moses' journey, there is some truth to it. Moses' time in the wilderness had a big influence on the kind of leader he would become.

1. Grow in Humility: Moses had the chance to develop humility during his time as a shepherd in the wilderness. He no longer enjoyed the luxuries of Egyptian aristocracy and had a modest life. His preparation for the difficulties of leadership was greatly aided by this time of introspection and humility.

2. Understand Patience: It took patience and resilience to shepherd a flock of sheep through the wide wilderness. During his time as a shepherd, Moses gained important lessons in tenacity and adaptability—skills that would come in handy when guiding a people through the desert.

3. Strengthen Faith: The encounter with the burning bush was a life-changing experience for Moses. It strengthened his faith and gave him a meaningful glimpse of God's strength and presence. He gained the self-assurance and faith he needed to guide the Israelites as a result of this encounter.

4. Appreciate Stewardship: Nature Connection: Moses developed a special bond with nature and the cycles of the natural world during his time in the wilderness. His leadership style would eventually be influenced by the value of stewardship.

Moses' Wilderness Expedition: The Results of His Decisions

It's critical to understand that Moses' stay in the wilderness was not the product of an intentional strategy for leadership development or personal growth. Instead, it was a result of what he did in Egypt. It wasn't part of some grand plan to groom him for leadership that he decided to stand up for the Israelite slave and then fled from Egypt.

In fact, one can contend that Moses' wandering in the wilderness was an unintentional result of his impatience and thirst for justice. Although he had the best intentions, his actions caused him to end himself as a fugitive in a distant country.

Divine Intervention vs. Obeying Training

The claim that "if Moses had obeyed, his training would have been in Egypt" begs intriguing concerns regarding obedience and divine intervention. Would Moses have gained leadership training in Egypt if he hadn't stepped in to stop the fight between the Israelite slave and the Egyptian taskmaster? While it may be tempting to make assumptions, we must keep in mind that the biblical story is told the way it is for a reason.

The tale of Moses includes a great amount of divine providence. God chooses him to lead the Israelites as a result of his time in the wilderness and his encounter with the burning bush. In a way, a higher power chose Moses' route, and his stay in the wilderness was not a punishment for disobedience but rather an essential component in God's plan.

Developing Leaders: A Complex Process

The story of Moses' transformation from a reticent and uneasy shepherd in the wilderness to the revered leader of the Israelites is a complex one that cannot be summed up in a single maxim. It is true that his time in the woods contributed to his leadership development, but it was not the only cause.

The process of developing a leader is complex and comprises a mix of character traits, life lessons, and supernatural direction. Moses' journey includes aspects of self-discovery, humility, faith, and tenacity, all of which helped to prepare him for leadership. But ultimately, God's calling and guidance were what put him on the road to leadership.

Questions for a small group

1. What are your thoughts on the adage, "Moses needed to go through 40 years in the wilderness to be ready to lead"? How does this blog post affect your understanding of Moses' journey—challenges it or supports it?

2. The significance of Moses' encounter with the burning bush should be discussed. How did this encounter alter his viewpoint and equip him for leadership? Have you had any such events that served as turning points in your life?

3. Consider Moses' narrative as an example of divine providence. How do you see faith and divine intervention influencing leadership and personal development?

4. Think about the possibility that Moses' stay in the wilderness was a result of his hasty decisions in Egypt. What can we infer about the effects of our own decisions from his experiences?

5. Moses' leadership skills grew as a result of his humility, endurance, and fortitude. Which one of these traits do you believe a leader needs the most? Why?

6. Examine the conflict between faith and obedience. Do you believe Moses ought to have continued his leadership development in Egypt, or was his sojourn in the wilderness a vital component of God's plan?

7. What are the most important lessons from Moses' journey that can be applied to contemporary leadership development, in your opinion? How can we apply these principles to our own lives and leadership responsibilities?