Choosing Leaders

Weekly Torah Lesson

Parasha: Yitro
Torah: Shemot 18:1 – 20:26

Shemot 18 appears to be out of chronological order. Some place it after 11 Tishrei 2449which is after Moshe returns from his third , forty day, meeting with Avinu on Mount Sinai. This would put it near Shemot 35. However, whether it fits better as chapter 18 or 35 isn’t relevant for what I want to discuss. Today, we are going to focus on the type of men who were chosen to teach the people and how these attributes roll over into the Apostolic Writings.

“18:21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear Elohim, 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: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for yourself, and they shall bear the burden with you. 23 If you shall do this thing, and Elohim command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.” (Shemot 18:21-23)

** Some estimate that more than 76,000 men were appointed / elected to “rule” over Israel. These appointed “judges” formed the National civil, Torah based judiciary for Israel. They may have received the authority to mete out punishment (usually lashes) for violations. Although it’s not clear which “laws” they “judged” on. It seems that this organization’s authority was later transferred to the Levitical Priesthood.

We are now going to move forward approximately 1500 years. Yeshua has been resurrected “with all authority in heaven and earth”, the Malchitzedekian Priesthood has been established with Yeshua as High Priest and certain authority has been passed on to individuals in congregations.

Elder – megalyteros – A person of greater age; Someone in an ordained leadership position among a congregation.

“For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you — ” (Titus 1:5)

** Ordination was transferred to an individual with the “laying on of hands” by the rest of the congregation. This transfer of responsibility and authority established order in the congregations.

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” (1Ti 5:19 )

** The Torah demands two or three witnesses in order to convict anyone regardless of the crime.

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.” (1Ti 5:17 )

** Elders who study and teach the Torah are supposed to be held in high esteem. This “high esteem” requires a higher level of conduct by the “elder”.

Deacon – Diakonos – servant (Hebrew – shamish); One who serves the congregation’s needs under the authority of the Bishop and Elder. The “bishop” might be over several congregations.

“8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober minded, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Meshiach Yeshua.” (1Ti 3:8-13)

** Deacons who use their office to lovingly serve the congregation should have a high standing among their brothers and sisters.

Bishop – Episkopos – overseer; A senior member ordained to oversee one or more congregations;

“1 This is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober minded, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;” (1Ti 3:1-2 )

“For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money;” (Titus 1:7 )

“16 Let no man (outsider) therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body (congregation) (is) of Meshiach.” (Col 2:16-17 )

In Colossians 2:16-17 we are taught that the ordained leaders within the Congregations have the authority to make decisions concerning the administration of doctrines and the settling of situations within the Congregation. They also have the responsibility to teach Moshe to the people and to train more Elders and Deacons. The main purpose of this administrative organization is to establish “Peace” in the congregations.

Here is how Moshe described what he was doing. “I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of Elohim, and his laws. (Shemot 18:16)

Here is what Yeshua teaches us about the attitude of a leader:

“42 But Yeshua called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 “And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”” (Mr 10:42-45 )