Every leader in God’s Kingdom needs to lead from a high place where they can see what is happening to the people they are called to lead. They also need personal help when their personal strength can no longer support their calling. No leader can function properly without those two elements. I wrote a book about this kind of leadership called The Leadership Rock. The story of Moses sitting atop a rock in battle with the help of Aaron and Hur inspired the book’s title.

When Israel was wandering in the wilderness, and after Moses had struck a rock, water gushed out to miraculously supply the people with water. While the people drank from the rock, the warriors of Amalek planned an attack.

Moses was still in possession of his staff as the battle began: “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand” (Exodus 17:10).

As the battle waged on against the warriors of Amaley, Aaron and Hur stood with Moses on the mountain top. “As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage” (vs. 11).  Most needed help, and he accepted the offer.

As the battle continued, “Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So, Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So, his hands held steady until sunset.  As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. (vs. 12-13).

Faithful leaders know their limits – both physical and spiritual limits. These leaders will surround themselves with good people who will help them find a place of rest in spiritual battles. Aaron and Hur offered Moses a stone to sit on, as the battle raged on. Moses could no longer stand and hold up God’s staff. He needed help.

Godly leadership is demonstrated best when we know our limits and allow others to help us continue to obey God, even beyond our physical limitations. These Godly support staff are willing to hold up the spiritual arms of a tired leader so that, as a team effort, spiritual battles can be won. These actions will save a leader from the temptation of having to prove their mettle by standing alone and unsupported.

Unsupported leaders can look courageous, but they eventually become dangerous. They can try to stand in their personal strength, but that posture will always lead to failure. Not only will they fail personally as a leader, but at some point, they will put those who engage in spiritual battles in jeopardy. 

Solid leaders know when it is time to accept an offer of help to sit down in a battle and allow others to hold up their arms so that God’s victory can be realized. Every good and faithful leader will come to realize they need the assistance of others to help them find their personal leadership rock.