Deu 1:16 | KingComments | STEP | At the same time that God was talking about the inheritance, Moses had to speak to them about their load and burden, which he could not bear alone, and about their quarrels. It is with him like the letter-writer Jude who “was making every effort to write you about our common salvation”, but was forced “to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” ( ). The people had increased in number to a great crowd. As a result, the quarrels among them also increased. The church is no different ( ). To overcome the difficulties between the members of God’s people, Moses proposed to appoint leaders. The people agreed. Thus, the burden was shared among more people. If there were any disputes, they could go to their judges. The judges had to meet four conditions: 1. judge righteously, whether it be a brother or a stranger; 2. judge without regard to the person, not taking into account someone’s position; 3. judge without fear of human retribution, knowing that they were speaking justice on behalf of God; 4. acknowledge that there were cases too hard for them (having awareness of their own weakness and limitation) which they could bring to Moses. Also in the church there are leaders, that is, believers who have been given responsibility ( ). As Moses appointed them in Israel, so the Lord Jesus does now. Such believers will meet the four conditions mentioned above. It is good to go to such believers with certain things and to ask their advice. There may also be things that require us to go directly to the true Moses. Lawsuits result from quarrels along the way.

‏ Deuteronomy 1:16

The Appointment of Leaders

At the same time that God was talking about the inheritance, Moses had to speak to them about their load and burden, which he could not bear alone, and about their quarrels. It is with him like the letter-writer Jude who “was making every effort to write you about our common salvation”, but was forced “to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

The people had increased in number to a great crowd. As a result, the quarrels among them also increased. The church is no different (Acts 6:1). To overcome the difficulties between the members of God’s people, Moses proposed to appoint leaders. The people agreed. Thus, the burden was shared among more people. If there were any disputes, they could go to their judges.

The judges had to meet four conditions:

1. judge righteously, whether it be a brother or a stranger;

2. judge without regard to the person, not taking into account someone’s position;

3. judge without fear of human retribution, knowing that they were speaking justice on behalf of God;

4. acknowledge that there were cases too hard for them (having awareness of their own weakness and limitation) which they could bring to Moses.

Also in the church there are leaders, that is, believers who have been given responsibility (1Thes 5:12-13). As Moses appointed them in Israel, so the Lord Jesus does now. Such believers will meet the four conditions mentioned above. It is good to go to such believers with certain things and to ask their advice. There may also be things that require us to go directly to the true Moses. Lawsuits result from quarrels along the way.