Leaders must cling to their God-given vision even when their team doesn’t comprehend. Read Jeremiah 7:27-28.

Without question the prophet Jeremiah received one of the toughest assignments of any leader in the Bible. God called him to lead a stubborn people, then God informed him in today’s verses that the people would not follow his lead. Jeremiah spent nearly five decades, from 626 BC to 585 BC, urging a rebellious people to repent of their rebellion against God without seeing any significant positive response to his messages. In spite of his frequent discouragement and pain, Jeremiah is a model of a faithful leader who demonstrated endurance in the face of extended opposition.

Servant leaders understand their team’s needs, define what is required to meet those needs and give of themselves to meet those needs. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12.

In ancient religions it was commonplace for people to offer sacrifices to the gods, but the notion that a god would make a sacrifice for humanity was beyond imagination. Even God’s chosen people the Jews had no concept of such a Savior even though their scriptures predicted it. The Jews were looking for a powerful Messiah who would deliver them from the bondage of Rome. They were so focused on the stereotypical powerful leader that they totally overlooked Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah in chapter 53.

Effective leadership involves sacrifice for your team. Read Isaiah 43:1-7.

In Chapter 43 Isaiah brings good news from God. God tells the people to “fear not” because He has redeemed them. Isaiah is allowed to bring news that in the future Israel will have a savior. He gets to tell them of God’s mercy in spite of Judah’s unfaithfulness.

Leaders will benefit from humility and find a liability in pride. Read Isaiah 10: 5-12.

The nation of Israel, the northern kingdom of Zion, and the city of Samaria had left their worship of the true God and become idol worshipers. God had sent numerous prophets to warn the people of Israel of His anger concerning their treatment of the poor and their worship of false gods. The people simply ignored God and continued to do as they pleased. There came a point when God withdrew His protection and instead of blessing the Jewish people put his blessing on their enemy the Assyrians.

Every leader has some authority and must also submit to authority. Read Ecclesiastes 8:1-9.

John Maxwell has some interesting notes in The Maxwell Leadership Bible on authority and servanthood:

Solomon reminds us about our relationship to leaders above us. We are to submit to them, not because the person deserves it, but because the office deserves it and God decrees it.

And what about leaders in authority? Solomon also issues a warning. When leaders try to exercise authority without a servant’s heart, they eventually hurt themselves. Consider what he says:

Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.