Exodus 40:16
Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he.
We wonder why the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle in Exodus 40:35, and I believe the answer is that Moses did all that the LORD commanded him, and the people did all that Moses commanded them. Moses set the example of following all that the LORD told him to do, and that showed every follower how to be a good follower. As the LORD commanded Moses, so did he. As Moses told the people what the LORD had said, so did they. The “so did he” set the example so that it could be said about the follower, “so did they.” If there was no “so did he,” there would be no “so did they.” Let me share several thoughts about this all-important principle.
First, every great leader is a great follower. A person who has no one to follow is a person who is headed toward destruction. Just because you are a leader does not give you the right to do what you want to do. You have an authority you are to follow as a leader, and not to follow your authority is to teach those you lead not to follow their authority. For instance, the President of the United States is as much bound by the Constitution and the laws of the land as the citizen. If the President wants the citizen to obey those laws, then the President needs to follow the laws. Moreover, if a police officer wants the citizen not to speed, then the police officer ought not to speed just because he is in his squad car. The police officer is teaching the citizen how to follow. Likewise, the Pastor is to obey God’s Word like he preaches to others to obey God’s Word. The church members will follow their Pastor if he is a follower of God’s Word. This could be said about parents or anyone who holds some position of leadership.
Second, every great follower follows a greater follower of God; we just so happen to call that greater follower a leader. The greatness of great leaders is that they are great followers of God. The reason the children of Israel did all that Moses commanded them was because he did all that the LORD commanded him. Leadership must never forget that followers will follow them according to how they follow their authority. Followers rise to the level of following God that their leader follows God.
Third, followers will more than likely do all that their leaders tell them to do if their leader sets the example by doing all that the LORD tells them to do. How much you follow will determine how much your follower will follow you. If you justify not doing all that you are supposed to do, those who follow you will justify not doing all that you expect of them. You set the example of how to follow. If those you lead are not following to the level that you expect, you need to take a close look at yourself to be sure that your example is to follow all that God expects of you.
My friend, if you want it to be said that your follower did as you told them, then you need to be sure that you do all that you are told to do. Great leaders were great followers before they became a great leader, but they likely followed a great leader when they were the follower. Let me encourage you to set the example to those you lead by following all that the LORD tells you to do. If you want the glory of the LORD to rest on your life and life-work, you need to set the example of following all the LORD tells you to do.
