Almost 40 years after the law was given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, Moses provides an exposition of the law to the second generation of God’s covenant people.
In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the Israelites just as the Lord had commanded him to speak to them (Deuteronomy 1:3).
Next on God’s agenda was the command to leave Sinai (Horeb) and head in the direction of the promised land.
“The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.
Resume your journey, and go into the hill country of the Amorites . . .
See, I have set the land before you; go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their descendants after them'” (Deuteronomy 1:6,7a-8).
Sinai was a place of drama, direction, and worship, but it wasn’t the end of the journey for the Israelites. They still had a destination to reach.
Let’s take note of this principle and make sure that we follow the Lord to the destination in life He has for us. We may find a comfortable and peaceful place, but God may have more for us. Let’s not stop short of all God wants us to be and have.
Appoint Leaders
Moses reminded the second generation of the nation that there was a time when he needed help in leading the people. The qualification for leaders should be seriously considered for business, governmental, and religious leaders.
Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable, and I will make them your leaders.’
You answered me, ‘The plan you have proposed is a good one.’
So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable individuals, and installed them as leaders over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officials, throughout your tribes.
I charged your judges at that time: ‘Give the members of your community a fair hearing and judge rightly between one person and another, whether kin or resident alien.
You must not be partial in judging: hear out the small and the great alike; you shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s.
Any case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.'” (Deuteronomy 1:13-17).
The bullet points below highlight the qualities of leaders God wanted to assist Moses. I doubt if God has lowered His standards in 2025. If we don’t have leaders who match these qualities, then the problem is ours and not God’s.
- The first character traits of leaders is to be wise, discerning, and reputable.
- Judges were to give a fair hearing and judge rightly between one person and another, whether kin or resident alien.
Community members and immigrants, rich and poor, and people of high status and those of low estate were to be treated alike by the judges.
- Leaders were not to be intimidated by humans. Instead, they were to discover God’s will and execute it faithfully.
- If the leaders could not discern the proper judgment, they were to take it to Moses, who would submit the issue to God.
Reflections
Instead of having a childhood in the promised land, the children endured years in the wilderness as they witnessed the death of their parents.
Parents have the opportunity and responsibility of taking their children to the promised land God has for the family.
As the parents live in a faithful relationship with the Lord, their children will be influenced by their relationship with God.
The children have to make the choice to follow God. God wants them to discover a personal relationship with Him just as their parents did. This being said, if the parents leave the wilderness of unbelief and disobedience, their children will have a better opportunity to know the Lord.
God has not changed His standards for leaders. Let’s make a point of frequently asking God to give our world leaders who reflect His standards.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 