Yesterday’s devotional gave general clue to the Biblical Secular Elders, their position in the society and their responsibilities in general. As told yesterday, the topic “elders at the gate” focuses on what every elder, be it in government, communities, cities and any nation should stand for. It was said that since the Bible approved Christians to pray for those in government, it can be applicable for elders, in the case of this devotional, those in powers to do what the Biblical Elders were formed to do. Few of these needful things for Elders to do will be mentioned in this devotional and the subsequent one.
We must admit that the elders in governance, those at the traditional level, as well as in religious circles must be people of strong moral character, those who reverence God, those known for truth and integrity, capable of manifesting wisdom. They must be people known for discernment and impartial in judgment (Exod. 18: 20 -21; Deut. 1: 13, 16 – 17). Any nation that her top leaders have the above qualities is a blessed nation. But any nation that majority of her leaders lack integrity, sound mind (wisdom), impartial (fair) judgment etc., will ever live in crisis. Moses charged the 70 elders to judge every person fairly, whether the case is between fellow Israelites or involving aliens. He told them never to show partiality in judging issues. They must hear cases between the poor and rich, small and great and judge as it will please God (Deut. 1: 16-17). Leaders of our time must know this.
Elders, (the highest leadership body of any nation) are expected to look into critical issues affecting their people, sit down together and practically examine them, proffering solutions to the issues. For instance, if one is accused of criminal matters, the elders are to assemble and investigate the case without supporting the criminal or condemning him or her subjectively. In the earliest days of Africa, local elders handled matters like this. Question here is whether we have these types of elders today. Many elders in politics, religious climes, traditional and communities, judge criminals differently. Observations on some nations reveal that governments treat many matters with hidden interests. If our present top government elders had handle criminal, judicial, egomaniac and political cases bedeviling the world with good judgments and justices, the world would not had entered the present ungovernable stage as this. In the land of Israel, elders at the city gates dealt decisively with criminal matters such as rape, murder, rebelliousness as well as protecting families from genocides by blood thirsting people. Elders are to search and produce one who kills intentionally for the law to take its course (Deut. 19: 11-13). Elders do not work with malicious witnesses. Elders investigate accusation on people, tribes, different religious groups even those political people to ascertain the truth before taking action (Deut. 19: 16 – 21). Any nation that her elders fall short of the above responsibilities is in trouble. Change of attitudes is the only way out for such leaders. Christians in such a nation are to intervene prayerfully.
PRAYER:
Blessed Father, some of our elders in politics, religious groups, traditional stools and office holders lack good governance. Others are not doing the needful according to your patterns. Change them today in Jesus name.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
I swallow good leadership quality today that will benefit my nation, my community and the
group I belong.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch