by Steve Hale
"Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens" (Ex. 18:21).
One of America's 256 Founding Fathers, and a leading American Educator, Noah Webster told his students:
"In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate-- look to his character. It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective view of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for public stations" (Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to which is subjoined a Brief History of the United States (New Haven: S. Converse, 1823), p. 18, Letter 1).
Webster followed-up these comments by quoting the above text, Exodus 18:21 (Ibid, pgs. 18-19). Webster pointed to these as the qualifications that should be sought in men holding public office. The Founding Fathers had this intention, for this is one of the places the idea of the various
levels of government originated. Again, referring to the advice Jethro gave Moses, note the following:
Federal -- "rulers of thousands"
State -- "rulers of hundreds"
County -- "rulers of fifties"
Local -- "rulers of tens"
According to the counsel of Jethro, these rulers should "...rule in the fear of God, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness." Webster ended his letter like this: "It is to the neglect of this rule of conduct in our citizens (that is, not selecting Godly men for office as directed by the Scriptures), that we must ascribe the multiplied frauds, breaches of trust, peculations and embezzlements of public property which astonish even ourselves; which tarnish the character of our country; which disgrace a republican government."
While sitting in my lap last night, my nine year old daughter, watching television with me asked: "Daddy, what is inappropriate behavior?" When a child even has to ask that question in regard to someone who is suppose to be her leader, you know for certain one thing: the intention of the Founding Fathers has been sorely missed by the current society.
This is not a political problem as much as it is a moral problem. James A. Garfield, a member of the Lord's church and the 20th President of the United States said:
"Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption" (Garfield of Ohio: The Available Man (NY: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc.), p. 180.
Christians should demand moral leadership from their leaders in any realm of service. This is inclusive of the Presidency, the Congress, the Governor, all the way through to leaders in the church. A country or a church or any other institution seldom rises above its leadership.