Who among us can dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings? These are the two questions Isaiah asks, and he also answers them right away. He drew up an interesting list of points that every leader should reflect on regularly.
- Integrity. "He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly." The leader takes care that their words and actions are one.
- Righteousness. "He that despiseth the gain of oppressions." The leader rejects ill-gotten gain.
- Incorruptibility. "That shaketh his hands from holding of bribes." The leader cannot be bought and refuses bribes.
- Positive focus. "That stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood." The leader withdraws from destructive thoughts.
- Purity. "And shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." The leader disciplines their mind to stay clean.
- Security. "He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks." The leader is settled, stable in their identity and in the source of their strength.
Isaiah 33:14-16
14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
15 He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
16 He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
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