He can lead them, but he does not love them. I can make them my partners or my puppets. There are many leadership roles in life. A parent is a leader of his or her children. A husband and wife are the leaders of a household.
Employers are leaders, as are teachers and officials and camp counselors.
Moses reminds us that even the wisest and most capable leaders can lose their patience and respect for their children, workers, students, or constituents. And when they do, everyone suffers. Eventually, Moses overcame his frustration, swallowed his disappointment, and did his best for the people until his death. We remember him, we honor him, and we learn from his example, his teachings, and his mistakes. Questions for Discussion 1.