Law 16 | Absence Increases Respect And Honor
A strong biblical example of Law 16, "Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor," is Moses. His strategic absences throughout the story of the Exodus provide a powerful illustration of how periods of withdrawal can enhance leadership respect and deepen the impact of one’s role.
Example: Moses’ Time on Mount Sinai
Moses frequently withdrew from the Israelites to meet with God, the most significant of these moments being when he ascended Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. His absence during these periods created a mixture of anticipation, awe, and even fear among the people, reinforcing his position as God’s chosen leader and mediator.
Main Scripture Reference: Exodus 24:18 (KJV): “And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.”
1. Absence to Strengthen Leadership
Moses’ time away on the mountain allowed him to commune with God and receive divine instruction, but it also demonstrated the principle of absence as a means of increasing authority. When Moses returned after forty days, carrying the stone tablets inscribed with God’s law, the people’s response was marked by respect and fear. His long absence had emphasized the sacredness of his role and elevated the importance of what he brought back.
Commentary and Context: While the Israelites struggled with his prolonged absence, as evidenced by their making of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-4, KJV), this highlighted the contrast between human impatience and the divine purpose of Moses’ withdrawal. His return with the commandments underscored the significance of his time away and reminded the people of his unique relationship with God. This experience taught them that Moses’ absences were necessary for their spiritual growth and structure as a nation.
Cross-Reference Scripture: Exodus 34:29-30 (KJV) says, “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand... that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.” This verse demonstrates how his prolonged absence resulted in an increase in respect and awe; his return was not only physical but spiritually transformative.
2. The Aftermath of His Withdrawal
Moses’ absence forced the Israelites to confront their dependence on him and highlighted their own spiritual shortcomings. It also set a precedent for leadership that involves stepping back to seek divine wisdom. This pattern is seen later when leaders throughout biblical history take moments of seclusion for prayer and reflection.
Commentary and Context: The lesson in Moses’ strategic withdrawal is twofold: it showed that leadership is not only about presence but also about knowing when to step back for renewal and divine instruction. This approach can deepen respect among those being led and emphasize the leader’s dependence on a higher power. In Moses' case, his return after meeting with God affirmed his role as an intermediary and strengthened his position as a revered leader.
Cross-Reference Context: Similar to Moses, Nehemiah’s periods of prayer and planning before rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 1:4, KJV) show the power of withdrawal to prepare for impactful action. Both leaders demonstrated that absences filled with purpose and divine communion lead to stronger leadership and a more profound impact when they reengage with their people.
Conclusion: The Principle of Strategic Absence
Moses exemplifies the idea that absence, when filled with purpose and divine pursuit, can elevate a leader’s respect and honor. His time on Mount Sinai not only equipped him with wisdom but also reminded the Israelites of his crucial role and divine mandate. This principle shows that true power does not always lie in constant visibility but in the strategic use of absence to renew, instruct, and ultimately strengthen one’s influence.
Moses' life encourages believers to seek time away for spiritual communion, understanding that such absences can deepen our relationships and enhance the value of our presence when we return.
Title: The Strength in Seeking Solitude: Lessons from Moses’ Absence
Introduction: The Parable of the Master Carpenter
Once there was a master carpenter known throughout his town for his unparalleled skill. He worked hard and often spent days crafting the most intricate and beautiful pieces for the village. But every few months, the carpenter would leave, retreating to the mountains where he gathered new tools and honed his skills in solitude. The villagers often grumbled during his absence, questioning why he would leave when they needed him most. Yet, each time he returned, he brought back new designs and better techniques that elevated his work and inspired the entire village.
This parable sets the stage for today’s message: the importance of stepping away for renewal, guidance, and preparation. Just as the master carpenter’s absences strengthened his craft, Moses’ time spent away from the Israelites on Mount Sinai teaches us about seeking solitude to gain spiritual strength and direction.
1. The Power of Purposeful Absence
Scripture Reference: Exodus 24:18 (KJV): “And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.”
Moses’ extended time on Mount Sinai was more than just a physical departure; it was a sacred withdrawal to commune with God. The Israelites needed a leader who could guide them not just with his presence but with divine wisdom. In stepping away, Moses showed that true leadership sometimes requires solitude. The period of his absence, filled with prayer and listening, resulted in the receipt of the Ten Commandments, laws that would shape an entire nation.
Commentary and Context: Moses’ withdrawal was not abandonment; it was preparation. His time in God’s presence allowed him to come back equipped not only with physical tablets of stone but with spiritual authority. When leaders or believers take time to step back and reconnect with God, they bring back renewed strength that benefits those around them. It reminds us that moments of retreat, when used wisely, serve as spiritual rejuvenation that amplifies one’s impact.
2. The Challenge of Waiting
During Moses’ absence, the Israelites faced uncertainty and impatience. Their reaction led them to create the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-4, KJV). This moment shows the consequences of not understanding the value of waiting for a leader’s return or trusting in God’s timing. Moses’ absence was intended to be a period of anticipation and spiritual reflection, but instead, it revealed the people's dependency on tangible leadership and their tendency to waver without it.
Cross-Reference Scripture: Psalm 27:14 (KJV) states, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” This verse ties directly into the story of the Israelites’ impatience. God calls us to wait on Him, trusting that He will return to us renewed strength and clarity. Just as the villagers in the parable were tempted to doubt the carpenter’s motives during his absence, the Israelites turned to false assurances. Waiting can be challenging, but it is often in these periods that God teaches us patience and faith.
3. The Return of a Transformed Leader
Scripture Reference: Exodus 34:29-30 (KJV): “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand... that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.”
When Moses returned from the mountain, he was visibly transformed. His face shone with the glory of God, a physical manifestation of the divine encounter he had experienced. This change in Moses symbolized that time spent with God doesn’t just affect one’s inner spirit but can radiate outward, impacting others.
Commentary and Context: The Israelites’ awe and reverence at seeing Moses highlighted the power of his absence. It wasn’t that he left and returned unchanged; his solitude led to an encounter that altered him. Leaders and believers today can take this lesson to heart—when we take time to withdraw and seek God earnestly, it can transform us in ways that others see and respect. It’s not about becoming distant but about coming back stronger and more connected to God’s purpose.
Cross-Reference Context: This transformation aligns with 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV), “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Just as Moses’ face shone, believers who spend time in the presence of God are changed, reflecting His glory to the world.
4. The Power of Preparation and Renewal
Moses’ absences were marked by preparation and deep communion with God. This wasn’t just a strategy; it was essential to fulfilling his role as the mediator of God’s will. His time alone empowered him to lead more effectively, making him a conduit of God’s law and presence.
Cross-Reference Scripture: Mark 1:35 (KJV) says, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Even Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrated this principle by seeking solitude to renew His spirit. If Christ Himself found it necessary to withdraw for prayer and reflection, how much more should we value moments of stepping away to draw closer to God?
Commentary and Context: Both Moses and Jesus show us that absence is not avoidance—it is intentional preparation. The results of such time spent in prayer and solitude can impact countless others, creating a ripple effect of spiritual insight and leadership.
Conclusion: Christ as the Ultimate Embodiment
Jesus’ life perfectly embodies the principle of purposeful absence. His ascension to heaven, for instance, was a moment of withdrawal that prepared the world for the coming of the Holy Spirit. In John 16:7 (KJV), He said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” Just as Moses’ withdrawal on the mountain led to God’s revelation to His people, Jesus’ ascension paved the way for a more profound spiritual presence in believers’ lives.
In Christ, we see the ultimate example of strategic withdrawal and return. His time spent in prayer, His temporary physical absence, and His return through the Holy Spirit remind us that solitude and stepping back are not losses but opportunities for deeper impact. As we follow Him, may we find the strength to seek solitude when needed and trust that God uses these moments to prepare us for greater work, just as He did with Moses.
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