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(Approx. 1593–1503 BC)

This is a time period when the population of the Israelites was growing rapidly and a number of Patriarchs were dying. Levi was believed to have lived 137 years and died in about 1590 BC. Levi was Jacob’s third son that later became the Levi tribe of Priests. In about 1571 BC Moses was born; found by the Pharaoh’s daughter, and began his life in Egypt. Moses in about 1531 BC killed an Egyptian guard and fled Egypt.

Gen 46:12 reads, “And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelh, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Pharez were Hezron and Hamul.”

Ruth 4:18 reads, “Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron.”

Moses fled to the land of Midian and marries Zipporah the daughter of a local priest and land owner. Moses became a shepherd for his father-in-law and spends many years wandering in the desert.

Application

It is believed that Hezron (son of Perez) was appointed by Moses under God’s direction as Prince of the tribe of Judah. It is also believed that Hezron was the leader of the tribe of Judah during the time when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and died in the wilderness.

Hezron was chosen by God to be the leader of the tribe of Judah just as his father Perez and his grandfather Judah were chosen by God to be leaders. God’s plan included these men as well as many others to unfold God’s plan and the bloodline for the Messiah. These men were chosen by God and not self-appointed or planned to be leaders.

Moses was the meekest man on earth and felt he would never possess the qualities needed to be a leader. Yet, God molded him into one of the greatest leaders of all times.

Numbers 12:3 reads, “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”

God found Moses in the wilderness herding his father-in-law’s sheep. When God spoke to Moses he had a number of reasons or excuses why he should not be used to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God did listen to Moses’ concerns and allowed his brother Aaron to travel with him and provide support.

Meekness is a basic requirement that God demands from all His leaders. No leader chosen by God will take pride in his abilities to lead God’s people. Leaders chosen by God realize that God is in control in all situations and at all times.

1 Samuel 16:7 reads, “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance or the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”

It is believed that Hezron was the leader of the tribe of Judah during the time that Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt. Leading an estimated 600,000 people and their families would have been an extremely difficult task. God would have chosen Hezron for his management skills, his ability to work with and take direction from Moses, and his relationship with God. Hezron understood he needed to take direction from Moses and to serve him as God’s representative.

1 Peter 5:5-6 reads, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

A good leader seeks God’s direction first and lets God establish the direction and the steps to be taken. The purpose and manner in which this task should be completed should be committed to pleasing God. A life committed in the service to God will be a life lived in reverence and in respect for God and His commandments. The fear of God and a willing spirit is a requirement that must be met first each day.

A life that is involved in serving God is a life that involves sacrifice. God established the model for the Christian’s life when He sacrificed His only Son for all of man’s sins. A Christian is a servant locked in the battle for the souls of mankind.

Luke 17:10 reads, “So likewise, ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do.”

Following God’s commands is the minimum requirement for a faithful servant. Unfortunately, the minimum requirement to be a servant of God is not being met by many. To make matters worse, many churches and seminaries today are not following God’s commands and in some cases are distorting God’s word to meet cultural pressures.