Choosing Godly Leaders
Biblical Obedience is the solution to good civil government. Exodus 18:20-21 establishes the criteria needed to achieve the sound government in the civil sphere. Here, the counsel of Reuel, the father-in-law of Moses, establishes the pre-requisite of civil excellence in ruling over people. Men rule in civil government, not women; men and never women must have knowledge and understanding of law and the role of government. Moreover, the man who operates in the sphere as a statesman or judge must have specific qualities in his character. Herein are the proofs of how this good government is achieved. Exodus 18:20-21: "And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." In verse twenty, the Bible teaches hat men who perform in the role of civil government must be trained and have knowledge of the law and jurisdiction of role. "Teach them ordinances and laws" is passing knowledge. It is instructing. It is teaching. "Shew them the way wherein they must walk" is training, instilling duty. "The work that they must do" illustrates what tasks or roles are to be performed. One who governs must have ability. He must know what he is doing. Hence, he cannot be a novice. To obtain success in government, rulers must fear God. A man who does not fear God is dangerous. He possesses no conscience, concerning what is right or wrong morally. A man who fears God understands that there is ultimately punishment for transgression (cursing) and reward for obedience, blessing. For, he knows that it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. A man who fears the Lord can always be trusted. Of course, every man will say that he fears the Lord, nominally speaking, but wisdom is justified of her children. Fruit bearing will tell the story every time. In addition, sound statesmen must be men of truth. Good men never lie, cheat nor steal. They are not immoral. And their word is the bond of surety. When a man is a man of truth, it is settled all the way. The coupling of such men is joined to the fear of God in the referred portion of scripture. Corruption will not exist and the role of government will be achieved when they who rule are men of truth. For these men will do the right thing every time. Moreover, civil rulers must hate covetousness. They cannot be lustful men. Men who are covetous violate the public trust. For a price, they will make the governed merchandise in order to feed their insatiable belly. Covetous men will never serve nor govern others; they will only be concerned for themselves. Such men can NEVER rile in civil government. They are greedy of filthy lucre. Therefore, men who operate in government must not be full of lust. They must "hate covetousness". In conclusion, this very brief article establishes the standard of what is necessary for good government to be achieved. Good government happens when good men rule. These are they who meet the qualifications of Exodus 18:20-21.