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LEADERS WITH INTEGRITY (EXODUS 18:13-23)

REFLECTION

“Leaders with integrity” is the theme for our reflection. Leaders are people who provide guidance or direction and are in charge of the affairs of a group of people. Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles that you refuse to change. Leaders with integrity mean leaders with honest and strong moral principles. Moses was counselled by Jethro, his father-in-law to appoint leaders with integrity to assist him in the administration of justice among the Israelites.

Beloved in the Lord, where there are leaders with integrity, the people are satisfied, and when the people are satisfied with efficient and competent administration of justice, there will be peace. It is for this reason Jethro said to Moses “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” (Exodus 18:21-23) It is often said that justice delayed is justice denied, therefore, we need men and women of integrity to expedite the administration of justice when people’s rights have been violated. It does not serve the nation any good if disputes remain unsettled or unresolved because judges or adjudicators are overwhelmed with cases. Again, parties whose rights have been violated or those who become victims of crimes are satisfied when judges or people appointed to decide the cases are people of integrity. In the end, if we want peace in our communities, leaders must stand for justice and integrity.

Every Christian and anyone appointed to perform a judicial function must ensure that he or she is a man or woman of integrity. We have been greatly admonished in 2 Chronicles 19:6-7, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD. He is with you in giving judgment. 7 Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the LORD our God, or partiality or taking bribes.” Again, as part of our integrity, we are told in Exodus 23:8, “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent. Beloved in the Lord, you may not be a leader or judge but one way or the other you may help at our workplace, family gathering, church meeting or community gathering to settle disputes among people. As Christians, we must demonstrate integrity and high moral standards in our dealings with people and everywhere we find ourselves. Jesus teaches us the importance of integrity or honesty when He said, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.” (Matthew 5:37). In other words, we must stand for the truth at all times.

In summary, we have learnt that people are satisfied if leaders of integrity are appointed to administer justice. Again, anyone appointed to perform judicial functions must ensure that he or she eschews bribery and corruption or dishonest gains and maintain a high level of integrity, especially, as a believer or a disciple of Christ. Shalom.

PRAYER
Almighty God, may You raise a generation of leaders with integrity to steer the affairs of humanity in the world. Amen.