To Who and What To

2 Chronicles 24:5

He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, "Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now." But the Levites did not act at once.

2 Kings 12:6

But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple.

The Levites during the reign of Joash did not do immediately what was asked of them to do - to rebuild the temple.  None of the commentaries I've read has given a direct answer as to why.  We can just assume some things that may be possible to have happened:  The Levites are mostly busy in "rebuilding lives" of the people; hence, it's a possibility that they did not focus much on the physical aspect of the temple but on people (Matthew Henry has a similiar take).  Some principles to take is:

.. As a leader (like Joash), do not be outraged when the people under you do not do exactly what they are told that's been on hold for a long time.  Try to find out their reasons then work it out from there.
.. Some people are just not as concerned as some when it comes to specific tasks with the work of the Lord.  In the same way Joash did, they hired people to help rebuild - those who are knowledgeable in the area of building.  Find out who are interested in doing the work - instead of delegating the work to someone who has no interest in helping.

// Lots to learn.  On my end, I need to do the best that I can to do what I am asked to do.  It is never too late to do what is right and I can still do something about it (ie. helping out with some things I have put on hold forever.)  I need to make time for it and I need to re-shift some priorities in order for me to do them. 

On the leadership side, find out other people's reasons why they can't do what they're asked to do.  Work from there. Also, delegate to those who are interested and passionate in doing it to make it more effective. 

// Lord, thank you for this reminder on leadership - both for me, personally and for the groups I lead.  Thank you for your principles are always timely and grand.  I pray that You will empower me to obey what I need to do, to not delay and to re-arrange priorities so I can accomplish them properly.  Please help me to also shed things that aren't important and to only do what's needed.  I just commit to you this day, in Jesus' name, amen.