Teaching and Learning:
An Ordered Life
Deuteronomy 1:9-17
The Message
9-13 At the time I told you, "I can't do this, can't carry you all by myself. God, your God, has multiplied your numbers. Why, look at you—you rival the stars in the sky! And may God, the God-of-Your-Fathers, keep it up and multiply you another thousand times, bless you just as he promised. But how can I carry, all by myself, your troubles and burdens and quarrels? So select some wise, understanding, and seasoned men from your tribes, and I will commission them as your leaders."
14 You answered me, "Good! A good solution."
15 So I went ahead and took the top men of your tribes, wise and seasoned, and made them your leaders—leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, officials adequate for each of your tribes.
16-17 At the same time I gave orders to your judges: "Listen carefully to complaints and accusations between your fellow Israelites. Judge fairly between each person and his fellow or foreigner. Don't play favorites; treat the little and the big alike; listen carefully to each. Don't be impressed by big names. This is God's judgment you're dealing with. Hard cases you can bring to me; I'll deal with them."
.14 You answered me, "Good! A good solution."
15 So I went ahead and took the top men of your tribes, wise and seasoned, and made them your leaders—leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, officials adequate for each of your tribes.
16-17 At the same time I gave orders to your judges: "Listen carefully to complaints and accusations between your fellow Israelites. Judge fairly between each person and his fellow or foreigner. Don't play favorites; treat the little and the big alike; listen carefully to each. Don't be impressed by big names. This is God's judgment you're dealing with. Hard cases you can bring to me; I'll deal with them."
For Reflection
I suppose it is true that the greater the density and number of people, the greater the need for order. Moses recognized the problem. Everyone, especially in a densely populated society, needs to feel that he or she is recognized as an individual. In increasingly dense populations, total individual freedom, to do as on pleases has a greater chance to infringe on the freedom of others.
Governance is a two edged sword. On one hand a benevolent system improves the lot of all participants. On the other hand, too much governance leads to abuses of power and an unsettled defiant populous.
Moses distributed leaders to improve the governance of the people. He called for fair and just leadership. He commissions his leaders to remember that their power is centered in God's judgment.
Pray
for our leaders in civil matters as well as those who govern in matters of faith. Pray that they will reject the seduction of their positions. Pray that they will use God-centered wisdom in decision-making.
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