Do you have the courage to address problems no matter who is involved? (171-4)

God-honoring leaders will exhibit the courage to address problems whether they are found in the janitor’s closet or the Boardroom. Read Ezekiel 28:1-10.

When Judah and Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians as part of God’s judgment many of the counties around Judah were joyful. Their pride swelled in their god to see the God of the Jews dishonored when His city and His temple were destroyed. God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy concerning His punishment of these nations because of their hatred of the Jews and Him as their God. One of the nations that Ezekiel prophesied against was Tyre, maybe the richest, safest nation in the entire Near East.

The city of Tyre consisted of a mainland metropolis and a small Island that stood about half a mile offshore. The prophecy mentioned in Ez. 26:14 found its fulfillment regarding mainland Tyre under Nebuchadnezzar. Three years after Ezekiel’s prophecy Nebuchadnezzar moved in and besieged the ancient city of Tyre. He attacked the mainland city and held it besieged for about thirteen years. He then marched into the city to find it nearly deserted. The Tyrians had abandoned the mainland and fortified themselves on the Island of Tyre. The mainland was over-run and defeated, and walls and buildings were torn down and the entire city left in ruins.

It is one thing for a leader to have the courage to take on problems that have a negative effect on all involved but Tyre was a nation of merchants and sea traders. Tyre was a center of commerce and home of the rich and famous. If Tyre was destroyed it negatively affected the economy of virtually every country. When Ezekiel prophesied against Tyre he needed the courage to state facts from God that were unpopular to every powerful leader.

God-honoring leaders exhibit great courage by addressing problems no matter where they are or who is involved. This level of courage comes from firm convictions and strong core values concerning right and wrong. Like Ezekiel, wise Christian leaders establish these core values based on God’s leading and Word. It would be a shame to miss the key word in verse 10 that gave Ezekiel his courage to state truths even concerning powerful, popular nations, “I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

When in a position to make a difficult decision do you seek God’s wisdom or rely primarily on your experience or what will give you the best benefit and cause you the least grief? Tyre was a godless nation, but they provided a great service and were of great benefit to all the nations that surrounded them. It would have been much easier from a human standpoint to simply leave out the prophecy about Tyre, but Ezekiel’s convictions came from God and with that truth he had the courage to act on those convictions.