Do you hate to hear criticism?
Of course you do.
We would all like to think we are correct on every point . . . or even wise in how we lead a church, organization, or business . . . or our home.
However, one look at Genesis chapter three should put our minds at ease. We are neither wise or always right. It is there in the garden that we lost any bragging rights to being . . . right.
The Amos Problem
Amos was a “shepherd and farmer called to prophesy during the reigns of Uzziah (792–740 B.C.) in the southern kingdom and Jeroboam II (793–753) in the north.”1
Things were going well for Judah and Israel at the time. Economically, politically . . . but not spiritually apparently. Amos warned King Jeroboam that he would “die by the sword, and Israel must go into exile.” They were words the king didn’t want to hear.
But maybe even more importantly, the priest—a representative of the Lord who was to remain free from political control, but rather to act prophetically to kings—was more interested in remaining close to the power of the king. He went running to the king when Amos prophesied to encourage the king to take action against Amos.
“Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.”
Amos 7:10
Sometimes our followers—those subordinate to our leadership or influence, who have less power than we do—bring words that hurt. Our ego is bruised by their words that challenge our actions, heart (motives), or abilities.
In those moments we need to step back. We need to consider carefully whether those words—even when meant to hurt us because of jealousy or arrogance—are words the Lord wants to use to make us better at leading.
King David’s Experience
When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.”
2 Samuel 16:5-8 (ESV)
Abishai, a companion and nephew of King David, sought to protect the king’s ego, and possibly life, and advised the king that he allow Abishai to “take of his head.”
David’s response is a lesson to all leaders. He says, “If he is cursing because the LORD has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’” It is possible the LORD himself is cursing David through this “dog” as Abishai calls him.
Even those we do not respect may have a word from the LORD in the sense that the LORD is using them to help us see our blind spots and failures.
Leaders need to take warning. Certainly, not every word from our detractors is correct or should be honored or affect our leadership. However, in rejecting the words of Amos, Israel did suffer the fate of being sent into exile. The country continued to rebel against the LORD because they were too proud to hear the words of this shepherd—words from God, Himself.
It is a humble heart that will hear words of criticism as gifts from the LORD.
References
- ESV New Classic Reference Bible, Introduction to Amos, (Wheaton, Ill, 2011)
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