July 10, 2026

Business by the Book

Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

This verse is about King David but written with an eye toward the greater David, the Lord Jesus Christ.  In these two men we find a common trait that leaders need to instill into their own lives.  That trait is variance.  They both varied their personalities and the way they dealt with people routinely.  David, and Jesus, could be compassionate, stern, hard, loving, devoted, standoffish, soft, firm, and varied in so many other ways.  The situation, the person, the time, the purpose they were trying to fulfill, the response of others, and many other situations demanded that they vary their behaviors.

There is nothing as boring as an individual that never allows for variance.  For example, sometimes it is time to speak and sometimes it is a time to listen.  Leaders know this and vary their personal desires according to the need at the time.  Leaders learn to listen when they need to.  Leaders know when to speak and carry the conversation.  Leaders cultivate the sense to know when to be quiet, when to be exuberant, when to be mild, when to be pliable, when to be rigid, when to take action, and when to do nothing. 

Proverbs 27:14 is a great word picture of the need to vary one’s conduct.  It says: He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. There is nothing wrong with blessing a friend, and on occasion there is nothing wrong with doing so early in the morning.  But to do this continually, every day, all the time, each morning, would become extremely tiresome. 

When reading about the life of David and Jesus purposely note how they varied their dealings with the people they encountered.  One of the things that will be noticed is that they seldom did that which may have been expected.  Each situation was dealt with in a fresh, unique, and varied manner.  Great leaders have this ability.  For it is through this attribute that Paul could say: And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  (I Corinthians 9:20-22) Paul was an outstanding leader; perhaps the greatest leader of the entire church age. 

Dr. William Howe