Hunger, Obedience and Leadership

 "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the best of the land" (Isaiah 1:19)

Introduction: Hunger is not only a problem of the stomach. Hunger deprives us of authority, and the one who is hungry becomes a slave, not a businessperson or a leader. The Bible is full of examples of this. 

Part 1: Hunger Leads to Slavery

1. The People of Egypt (Genesis 47:13-26)

In the famine, the Egyptians first sold their money, then their livestock, then their land, and finally themselves in exchange for bread. They said, "Buy us and our land for food, and we will be slaves to Pharaoh" (47:19). Hunger took away their authority and gave them slavery.

2. The Family of Jacob (Genesis 46:1-4; Exodus 1:8-14; 12:40)

Because of hunger, Jacob's family went to Egypt. While Joseph was alive they lived with honor, but when "a new king who did not know Joseph" arose (Exodus 1:8), the authority of leadership was lost and 430 years of slavery followed.

3. Esau (Genesis 25:29-34)

For one bowl of lentil stew, Esau sold his birthright. Hunger took away his inheritance.

4. The Israelites in the Wilderness (Numbers 11:4-6)

When they became hungry, they remembered the food of slavery in Egypt and wanted to go back. The mindset of slavery grows out of hunger.

Part 2: The Cause: Disobedience (The Power of the Enemy)

Deuteronomy 28 shows both paths:

•         Obedience: blessing, full storehouses, "You shall be the head, not the tail" (28:1-14)

•         Disobedience: "You shall serve your enemies in hunger, in thirst, and in lack of all things" (28:47-48)

The connection is clear: disobedience → hunger → slavery under the enemy.

In obedience:

1. Drive away the hunger of your home, unite your family, plant churches.

2. Run the government and make disciples. Prepare leadership in every field.

 

In disobedience:

1. The home moves toward hunger and slavery. The scattering of the home becomes the scattering of the church.

2. Thousands of years of slavery come, and leadership, authority and power pass into the hands of the enemy.

Part 3: Obedience Brings Leadership

Joseph (Genesis 39-41)

He served with obedience and integrity in Potiphar's house, in the prison, and then in all of Egypt. Pharaoh said, "Can we find anyone like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?" (41:38). Joseph's leadership came so that his family and the nation would be saved from hunger (Genesis 45:5-7; 50:20).

Isaac (Genesis 26:1-12)

In a time of famine, God stopped him from going down to Egypt. Isaac obeyed, sowed in that same land, and reaped a hundredfold.

The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16)

Because she obeyed, the handful of flour and the little oil never ran out.

Manna (Exodus 16)

God gave daily food. Those who obeyed received it, and for those who did not obey, it rotted.

Part 4: What Should We Do?

1. Stand in every business: let stomachs be filled and mentorship be built

•         Lydia, a dealer in cloth (Acts 16:14)

•         Priscilla and Aquila, tentmakers (Acts 18:3)

•         "It is He who gives you power to get wealth" (Deuteronomy 8:18)

2. Prepare leadership in the field of education: make disciples

•         Moses was taught all the learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22)

•         Daniel received the education of Babylon but remained faithful to God (Daniel 1:4, 17-20)

•         "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19-20)

3. Prepare leadership in government

•         Joseph (Egypt), Daniel (Babylon), Nehemiah (Persia), Esther (the queen)

•         "When the righteous increase, the people rejoice" (Proverbs 29:2)

•         Let there be people in every field who have integrity and the fear of God.

4. Feed your people and teach them to trust that God will fill the stomach

•         "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:25-33)

•         "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches" (Philip.4:19)

•         Psalm 37:25 and Psalm 23

What This Message Teaches Us

1. Hunger is not only a problem of the stomach, but a problem of authority.

The one who is hungry loses his authority and his freedom to decide (Genesis 47:19; 25:34).

2. Obedience brings leadership.

Because of Joseph's obedience, God raised him up so that his family and the nation would be saved from hunger (Genesis 45:5-7).

3. Disobedience brings scattering and slavery.

The warning of Deuteronomy 28:47-48 is clear. The scattering of the home becomes the scattering of the church.

4. God fills the stomach.

The manna, the flour and oil of the widow of Zarephath, and Isaac's hundredfold harvest teach this (Philippians 4:19).

5. Leadership must be prepared in every field.

In business, education and government, we need people who stand with integrity and the fear of God and who prepare others as well (Matthew 28:19-20).

Take Action: Make a Decision Today

"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

Today's decision is not only about listening, but about beginning to act. Take these steps today:

1. Choose a step to end the hunger of your home. Unite your family, begin family prayer, and make a plan to increase a source of income or a skill.

2. Choose one person as your disciple or mentee. Choose one young person or one family whom you will teach and prepare for leadership.

3. Invest in education. Take a concrete initiative for the education and skills of your children and the children of the church.

4. Feed someone who is hungry. This week, give food to one needy person and teach them that God is faithful.

5. Stand for honest leadership in your field. Wherever you are, in business, school or local government, build influence through service and integrity.

My Decision (Fill in by hand)

Today I make the decision that:

1. I will ______________________________ in my home.

2. I will make ______________________ my disciple/mentee.

3. This week I will feed ______________________.

4. I will prepare myself for leadership in the field of ______________________.

Signature: ________________        Date: ________________

Prayer

O Lord, make us obedient, so that our homes may be saved from hunger and slavery, and that we may become leaders for Your kingdom in every field. You will fill our stomachs; increase our trust in this. Amen.

Shalom, May the Lord Bless You.