So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you--as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. So I took the leaders of your tribesThis phrase indicates a deliberate and purposeful action by Moses, under God's guidance, to select leaders from among the people. The Hebrew word for "leaders" is "רָאשִׁים" (roshim), which can also mean "heads" or "chiefs." This suggests individuals who were already recognized for their leadership qualities within their tribes. Historically, tribal leadership was a common structure in ancient Near Eastern societies, and this reflects a continuation of a familiar governance model. wise and respected men
The Hebrew words here are "חֲכָמִים" (chakamim) for "wise" and "יְדֻעִים" (yeduaim) for "respected" or "known." Wisdom in the biblical sense often refers to the ability to make sound judgments and decisions, rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). These men were not only intelligent but also held in high esteem by their peers, indicating a character that was trustworthy and honorable. This selection process underscores the importance of godly wisdom and integrity in leadership. and appointed them as leaders over you
The act of appointing is significant, as it denotes a formal recognition and commissioning of authority. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan) means "to give" or "to set," implying that these leaders were given their roles by divine mandate through Moses. This appointment was not merely a human decision but a divinely orchestrated establishment of order and governance among the Israelites. as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens
This hierarchical structure reflects an organized and scalable system of governance. The division into "thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens" suggests a military-like organization, which was practical for both civil administration and warfare. It ensured that leadership was accessible and that issues could be managed at the appropriate level. This system also allowed for effective communication and delegation, principles that are still relevant in modern organizational leadership. and as officers for your tribes
The term "officers" is translated from the Hebrew "שֹׁטְרִים" (shotrim), which can also mean "officials" or "overseers." These individuals were responsible for maintaining order and implementing the decisions made by the leaders. Their role was crucial in ensuring that the directives from higher authorities were carried out efficiently within the tribes. This reflects a comprehensive approach to leadership, where both strategic and operational aspects are addressed. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is recounting the events of appointing leaders over the tribes. 2. Israelite TribesThe twelve tribes of Israel, each requiring leadership and governance. 3. Leaders/CommandersWise and respected men chosen to lead and manage the people at various levels of organization. 4. Wilderness JourneyThe context in which these events occur, as the Israelites are preparing to enter the Promised Land. 5. Mount HorebThe location where Moses received the command to appoint leaders, as part of the broader account of Israel's journey. Teaching Points Delegation of AuthorityGodly leadership involves recognizing the need for shared responsibility. Moses' appointment of leaders demonstrates the importance of delegating tasks to capable individuals to ensure effective governance and management. Qualifications for LeadershipThe leaders chosen were "wise and respected men," highlighting the importance of character and wisdom in those who are appointed to positions of authority. This serves as a model for selecting leaders in various contexts today. Organizational StructureThe division of leadership into commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens illustrates the need for an organized structure in managing large groups. This principle can be applied in church, business, and community settings. Community InvolvementThe involvement of the community in recognizing and affirming leaders emphasizes the role of the community in governance and decision-making processes. Sustainability in LeadershipBy sharing the burden of leadership, Moses ensured the sustainability of governance and prevented burnout. This teaches the importance of creating systems that support leaders and prevent overload. Bible Study Questions 1. What qualities did Moses look for in the leaders he appointed, and how can these qualities be applied in selecting leaders today? 2. How does the principle of delegation in Deuteronomy 1:15 relate to the advice given by Jethro in Exodus 18? 3. In what ways can the organizational structure described in this verse be applied to modern church or community settings? 4. How does the appointment of leaders in Deuteronomy 1:15 reflect the importance of community involvement in decision-making? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that leadership roles in our communities are sustainable and prevent burnout? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 18Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, advises him to appoint leaders to help judge the people, which parallels the delegation of authority in Deuteronomy 1:15. Numbers 11God instructs Moses to appoint seventy elders to help bear the burden of leadership, showing a consistent theme of shared leadership. Acts 6The early church appoints deacons to manage practical matters, reflecting the principle of delegating responsibilities to capable individuals. People Amorites, Anakites, Caleb, Canaanites, Eshcol, Isaac, Israelites, Jacob, Jephunneh, Joshua, Laban, Moses, Nun, Og, Seir, SihonPlaces Arabah, Ashtaroth, Bashan, Dizahab, Edrei, Egypt, Euphrates River, Hazeroth, Heshbon, Horeb, Hormah, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Laban, Lebanon, Moab, Mount Seir, Negeb, Paran, Seir, Suph, Tophel, Valley of EshcolTopics Appoint, Appointed, Authorities, Authority, Captains, Chief, Chiefs, Commanders, Experienced, Fifties, Full, Heads, Hundreds, Leaders, Officers, Officials, Overseers, Princes, Respected, Rulers, Tens, Thousands, Throughout, Tribal, Tribe, Tribes, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 1:15 5216 authority, nature of
5261 commander
8367 wisdom, importance of Deuteronomy 1:9-15 5714 men Deuteronomy 1:13-17 8471 respect, for human beings Deuteronomy 1:15-17 5270 court
6126 condemnation, human Deuteronomy 1:15-18 5383 lawsuits Library Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
Early in the year 1857. NOTE: This edition of this sermon is taken from an earlier published edition of Spurgeon's 1857 message. The sermon that appears in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, vol. 45, was edited and abbreviated somewhat. For edition we have restored the fuller text of the earlier published edition, while retaining a few of the editorial refinements of the Met Tab edition. "And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 45: 1899Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Philo of Alexandria, the Rabbis, and the Gospels - the Final Development of Hellenism in Its Relation to Rabbinism and the Gospel According to St. John.
It is strange how little we know of the personal history of the greatest of uninspired Jewish writers of old, though he occupied so prominent a position in his time. [173] Philo was born in Alexandria, about the year 20 before Christ. He was a descendant of Aaron, and belonged to one of the wealthiest and most influential families among the Jewish merchant-princes of Egypt. His brother was the political head of that community in Alexandria, and he himself on one occasion represented his co-religionists, …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of the Holy Scripture, So Far as Every Christian must Competently Know, and Necessarily Believe, that Will be Saves.
Although no creature can define what God is, because he is incomprehensible (Psal. cxliii. 3) and dwelling in inaccessible light (1 Tim. vi. 16); yet it has pleased his majesty to reveal himself to us in his word, so far as our weak capacity can best conceive him. Thus: God is that one spiritual and infinitely perfect essence, whose being is of himself eternally (Deut. i. 4; iv. 35; xxxii. 39; vi. 4; Isa. xlv. 5-8; 1 Cor. viii. 4; Eph. iv. 5, 6; 1 Tim. ii. 5; John iv. 24; 2 Cor. iii. 17; 1 Kings …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Mountainous Country of Judea.
"What is the mountainous country of Judea? It is the king's mountain." However Judea, here and there, doth swell out much with mountains, yet its chief swelling appears in that broad back of mountains, that runs from the utmost southern cost as far as Hebron, and almost as Jerusalem itself. Which the Holy Scripture called "The hill-country of Judah," Joshua 21:11; Luke 1:39. Unless I am very much mistaken,--the maps of Adricomus, Tirinius, and others, ought to be corrected, which have feigned to …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Barren Fig-Tree. Temple Cleansed.
(Road from Bethany and Jerusalem. Monday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^A Matt. XXI. 18, 19, 12, 13; ^B Mark XI. 12-18; ^C Luke XIX. 45-48. ^b 12 And ^a 18 Now ^b on the morrow [on the Monday following the triumphal entry], ^a in the morning ^b when they were come out from Bethany, ^a as he returned to the city [Jerusalem], he hungered. [Breakfast with the Jews came late in the forenoon, and these closing days of our Lord's ministry were full of activity that did not have time to tarry at Bethany for it. Our …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel In the Temple at the Feast of Tabernacles.
(October, a.d. 29.) ^D John VII. 11-52. ^d 11 The Jews therefore sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? [It was now eighteen months since Jesus had visited Jerusalem, at which time he had healed the impotent man at Bethesda. His fame and prolonged obscurity made his enemies anxious for him to again expose himself in their midst. John here used the word "Jews" as a designation for the Jerusalemites, who, as enemies of Christ, were to be distinguished from the multitudes who were in doubt …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 1:15 NIVDeuteronomy 1:15 NLTDeuteronomy 1:15 ESVDeuteronomy 1:15 NASBDeuteronomy 1:15 KJV
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