Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived. ”“ Judges 2:18
We have all been in situations in life where team work and working together with others happened. In these scenarios in most cases a leader will rise up, someone who takes charge and helps give voice and direction to the group, helping each person on the team get along with their ideas in unity. It is no different with God and his Church, he raises up leaders who help lead God’s people, giving direction from God and helping believers to work together. These leaders in the people of God’s history was God’s way to speak to other believers and also the lost world around them. Whether it was Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Aaron, Moses, Joshua, David, Samuel, Elijah, they were God’s representatives to the people of their time. Patriarchs, Prophets, Judges, Priests, Kings, were God’s method of leading his people and keeping them from worshipping false gods. It was the Lord that raised these leaders and called them (Hebrews 5:4) just as he raised up the judges during a time of anarchy and lack of leadership in Israel. Today some speak of and emphasize the fact that all believers in Jesus Christ are priests towards God now (Revelation 1:6, 1 Peter 2:9). This is indeed a wonderful truth but does not mean that God does not use or work through leaders now in the New Covenant. Rather as the priests in the Old Testament were mediators between God and men for all aspects of their lives, yet now believers are able to come to the throne of God boldly themselves in prayer (Hebrews 4:16). This personal relationship with God and hearing his voice does not nullify that God gifts leaders in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12) to build up and oversee the people of God.
What an amazing time it was during the times of judges in the history of God’s people. There was a stubbornness to hear from God, and to learn from and accept God’s leaders over them. The prophetic voice was not heeded through godly men in that day so God raised up some temporary leaders to help and did great things through them so people would know that God was with them. It was a time where every believer thought they knew better and felt they could function without God’s order of priesthood, law and ordinances he has set up. People lacked the reverence for God appointed hallowed things and instead followed the dictates of their own hearts. In the end the people of God in that day "refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways” (Judges 2:19). God’s leaders were those who taught the people between the clean and unclean, falsehood and truth (Ezekiel 44:23). This teaching the people of God between the holy and common, leading them to sanctify their lives is the main calling and purpose of leaders in the Church. It is a calling people towards a life of eternal reward and purpose and protecting the flock of God from hurt and harm. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament finishes the writing with this greeting, "Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people” (Hebrews 13:24). Therefore we see from Old Covenant to New. From Moses to the Christ (Hebrews 3:2), God has raised up servant leaders who oversee God’s little flock, the called out ones, the Church (Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2). May God protect us from teachings or the desire to not submit to leaders and become like the people in the book of Judges following our own ways.
from: https://gregjgordon.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/god-always-raises-up-leaders-amongst-his-people/