A Leadership Crisis: a devotion on leadership

From the Africa Study Bible introduction to the Book of Judges:

Purpose: Judges tells the story of the nation of Israel from the death of Joshua through a chaotic period of nearly 350 years to the beginning of the united kingdom. The book shows how Israel fell into military, political, and moral anarchy in the absence of strong central leadership.

Overview and Story: Frequently the judges—who were often local tribal leaders—were unable to lead the entire nation of Israel. Some judges were poor leaders, and several contributed to the killing of members of other tribes or clans (see Judges 12; 19). Sinful actions brought disaster as enemies defeated them as a punishment from God.

Like some of the local tribal judges of Israel, some African leaders have only had the interests of their own tribe in their heart. Some have even killed people of other tribes and directed resources to their own families and area unfairly. Also like the judges, traditional cults and religions have dragged people back to the worship of ancestors, idols, and spirits. Sometimes, like the time of judges, people have worshipped the Lord in addition to the local god, thinking that to achieve peace they must give credence to the god or spirit of that particular land. 

Many of our lands cry out like Israel during the time of the judges for the justice, wisdom, prosperity, and order that godly leadership will bring. For Israel, the sinful period of the judges was followed by the monarchy of the united kingdom, led by Saul, David, and Solomon. When they followed the Lord, He brought peace to their nation.

Today:

In the time of the judges, Israel sinned, God punished them with oppressors, they repented, and then God raised up a judge to deliver them. We can observe in the same cycle in our nations, churches, or personal lives. Take a moment to consider a cycle of sin-punishment-repentance- restoration that you have observed or lived through. What part can you play as a leader to live in obedience and break this cycle once and for all?