THE LEADERSHIP OF NOAH: A LESSON TO BE FOLLOWED

In Genesis we know that Noah was chosen by God to build an ark to save himself, his wife, his three sons and their three wives and every living thing of all flesh, birds and every creeping animal in pairs (male and female).  Noah was chosen by God because he was a righteous person.  God also loved mankind, but mankind had become sinful, and evil and the Bible says: "And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." (Genesis 6:6).  God decided to destroy man, "....everything on earth shall die." (Genesis 6:17)  God would start over again and He chose Noah and his immediate family to make humankind over again.
 
"And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him." (Genesis 7:5).  God is the supreme leader, and He chose Noah (a righteous man) to lead as God instructed him to lead. 
 
So, Noah as the leader of his family, instructed his wife and sons and their wives of what God told him to do and they all obeyed him.  Why did they obey him?  Everybody else must have thought he was crazy.  They obeyed Noah because they also knew him as a righteous man, a good man, a moral man, a virtuous man.  There was no reason for him to make up stories.  A strong leader leads by example, not just words. 
 
Noah did what God (the supreme leader) said to do, and Noah's family did what he told them to do, at God instructed.  The ark was built.  All the animals, the creeping things on earth and the birds were collected. Food was gathered, and everything God said to do was done.
 
Noah was not a perfect person. But God does not choose perfect people to lead others (David, Moses, and Solomon all were not perfect).  But the Bible says, "Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.  Noah walked with God." (Genesis 6:9).  God chooses people that are best suited for getting the job done.  Noah would end up leading a new generation.  And here we are today. 
 
Noah led his family to start a new life as God instructed:   "So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them:  "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." (Genesis 9:1). And they did.
 
What can we learn from Noah as leaders?
First, a good leader leads by example.  If you are the head of your household, do the right things.  Show your children and other family members that you are trustworthy and virtuous. Show them that you are a person of integrity. Show them that you love God and that you obey His laws. If you haven't done this in the past, start today.  God wants you to be a strong leader.  Good leaders are respected not feared.
 
Second, Noah made sacrifices.  A good leader has to choose.  Not every decision is an easy one.  Your decisions may be unfavorable among your family members, employees or others in your organization; but as long as the decisions are for good and benefit God (a decision God would be proud of), then they are good decisions.  A good leader, asks God for help with any tough decisions.
 
Noah chose to do what God told him to do.  A good leader listens and carries out the tasks that are required of him.  A good leader is obedient.  Noah conveyed God's instructions to his family as a good leader and as a man that can be trusted.
 
Third, leadership is influence.  The task at hand of building a massive ark and gathering the food and animals must have been an overwhelming thought at first.  But Noah was an influential person with his family; he had to be.  Again, a leader is one who's word is trusted because he has led by example as living a life as a virtuous man, following in God's word.
 
Following in Noah's footsteps.  It is not too late.  Leadership is the hallmark that keeps a family together.  And good, strong leadership is what holds a family together through tough times. Successful leadership breads growth.  So, lead with righteousness, walk with God, and go out and be fruitful with all of your endeavors.