The Leader Takes Stock

Aim: To follow God's order—which leads to harmonious effectiveness.

Doctrine: Before words are spoken, or work is done, leaders must clearly assess the situation. This blesses the church, in that there is a single focus that will involve all the believers in the fulfillment of it.

Exegesis: How the thoughtful leader takes stock: he clings to God's clear directives (vv. 11-12); he surveys the state of things (vv. 13-15); he organizes his plans (in advance of stating them) (v. 16).

Further application: Why it is important for God's people to be well-led: because otherwise there are too many voices, which lead to confusion, and not progress.

Key verse: v. 13 ''And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire.''