Hate bribes

Exodus 18:20-22 NLT

Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.

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Disputes come with the territory. People, even God's people, maybe especially God's people, have a keen sense of injustice. Everyone knows when they have been wronged. Well at least everyone knows when they feel like fairness hasn't been observed in their behalf. Seems one of the first phrases a child declares with passion is, 'that's not fair'.
And who do we imagine will right the wrong? At first it is our parents. But then it is innate that we appeal to leaders for justice.
"Billy took my toy!, " we cry expecting our toy to be returned and maybe Billy will get a good thrashing so he'll not take my toy again.
We long for mediators who will dispense fair, considered, impartial, wise justice.

I think one of the first interesting things in this passage is that this was not a particularly democratic process. Moses chooses these intermediaries. Next I've observed that as Moses chooses he determines the level of responsibility each leader will have from a handful of people to a thousand.

But what stands out most to me is the relativity short list of relevant criteria.

• Capable 
• Honest 
• Fear God 
• Hate bribes

Dispensing justice requires capability. There is a skill or talent that enables some persons as capable.

Then next in the list is a character trait, possibly a reputation of honesty. A person in leadership whose role it is to dispense justice has to love the truth, they must be without a practice of lying. It is interesting that the primary character trait of arguably one of the greatest presidents in American history was honesty. It has been passed down through the years that he was even known for the practice of honesty so much that he was nicknamed, 'Honest Abe.'
I wonder could it be that actually there are only two requirements on this list stated first positively and then reiterated negatively.

Cable = fear God
Honest  = hate bribes

It was not an uncommon literary device of Moses' people or time to emphasis by restating the points in opposite ways, or by building the point.

We'd do well to consider the possibly that real capability in leadership, particularly in dispensing justice, comes from the humility of  knowing your place before God. The Fear of God the Bible says is the starting blocks of wisdom.

And valuing the truth over personal gain is foundational. I've once heard it said that leadership requires an insight into the trajectory of truth. I'd heartily agree, that a person that sees the tangled web that is woven through deception will at all cost avoid the peril of entrapment and the demise of entanglements with bribes and lies.

For ultimately God knows exactly what has happened. God has seen both the action and the intent of your heart. Nothing has escaped God's view and God will ultimately dispense justice. The capable leader will be acutely aware that justice is not some subjective abstract concept but rather is deeply rooted in the person of God. And further that it has been imprinted on the human heart with the image of God given at creation.

First trust God to give you justice.
Secondly, pray for mercy!