Just as individuals have personalities, groups of people have personalities. Ask any teacher—no two classes are the same, and you love some and you … struggle to love others. Group personalities are even present in extremely large groups. Churches, cities, even nations have personalities.
Several factors drive group personalities. One is proximity. People who live in densely populated urban areas often behave in ways that are so assertive as to seem pushy and rude to outsiders. But city life demands it—if you do not assert yourself, your needs will not be met, whether on the subway, hailing a cab, or shopping in an open market.
Weather also has an influence: people who live in hot climates develop habits (like siestas) that those in cold climates do not, and vice versa. However, no factor has more influence on the personality and culture of a city than the behavior of its leaders.
Leaders are the model for everything: work habits, integrity, relationships and family life, recreation, dietary choices, religion, and more.
When Jerusalem was filled with corrupt leaders, God held them responsible for their choices. In a passage from Ezekiel, God sends a message to the leaders of the city by addressing the city of Jerusalem directly. I will replace the word you with the word Jerusalem and the word they with the word leaders.
“‘See how each of the princes of Israel who are in Jerusalem uses his power to shed blood.
In Jerusalem leaders have treated father and mother with contempt.
In Jerusalem leaders have oppressed the foreigner and mistreated the fatherless and the widow.
Jerusalem has despised my holy things and desecrated my Sabbaths.
In Jerusalem are slanderers who are bent on shedding blood.
In Jerusalem are leaders who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.
In Jerusalem are leaders who dishonor their father’s bed.
In Jerusalem are leaders who violate women during their period, when they are ceremonially unclean.
In Jerusalem one man commits a detestable offense with his neighbor’s wife, another shamefully defiles his daughter-in-law, and another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter.
In Jerusalem are leaders who accept bribes to shed blood.
Jerusalem collects interest and make a profit from the poor.
Jerusalem extorts unjust gain from its neighbors.
Jerusalem has forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. …
Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with Jerusalem? …
I will disperse Jerusalem among the nations and scatter it through the countries; and I will put an end to your uncleanness. When you have been defiled in the eyes of the nations, you will know that I am the Lord’” Ezekiel 22:6-16.
Are you a leader? Yes. Either at work, or at home, or among younger friends—we are all leaders in one way or another. And leadership is serious.
“To whom much is given, much is required” Luke 12:48.
God gives leaders opportunity, and God requires leaders to use those opportunities wisely. “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such, we shall incur a stricter judgment” James 3:1.
God, may we obey you. May we remain humble before you, no matter the opportunities, no matter the power, authority, or notoriety we may experience. Use us to lead people to walk more closely with Jesus. Use us. We submit our lives, our time, our energy to you. Do your will in our lives.
AΩ.
Household Words: 