When Jethro came to visit Moses, he observed how his son-in-law judged the people “from the morning until the evening” with no one to assist him in this enormous task (Exodus 18:13-14). He warned Moses that this arrangement was not good: “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone” (Exodus 18:18). So Jethro advised Moses to appoint leaders over the people who could help act as judges. But he did not tell Moses to select just anyone – they had to possess certain qualities in order to be good leaders.
“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens” (Exodus 18:21).
Jethro outlines four qualities of good leaders:
- Good leaders must be able.
- Good leaders must be God-fearing.
- Good leaders must be lovers of truth.
- Good leaders must be honest.
People generally understand the first quality. Even those who do not believe the Bible will agree that one must have the ability to lead others in order to be a good leader. But there is more to being a good leader than just being able to get others to follow. Many wicked rulers have been able to lead their people as they committed atrocities (i.e. Hitler). Even in the church, Paul warned of those who would “draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:30). They had the ability to lead, but they were not good leaders (they did not lead in a way that was good).
Since the first quality Jethro mentioned (being able to lead) is generally understood, I want us to focus on the other three qualities. Regardless of what type of leadership role is under consideration, these qualities are essential for good leadership. It is important for us to remember these qualities so that we can lead others and so we can keep from following evil leaders into wickedness.
In the Home
God designed the home to have the husband as the head (Ephesians 5:22-23). However, in this position of leadership, the husband/father is not to disregard his wife and children. Instead, he is to lead with love, just as Jesus “loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Good leadership in the home is not about forcing the others to submit, but comes by exhibiting the qualities listed by Jethro.
- God-fearing – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). A father must fear God enough to lead his family according to the Lord’s instruction. One who fears God will follow the instruction of the wise man: “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6).
- Lovers of truth – Joshua told the Israelites: “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth… If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:14-15). To serve the Lord, one must serve Him in truth. This is how Joshua led his family, and he encouraged his brethren to do the same.
- Honest – “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—how blessed are his sons after him” (Proverbs 20:7). Children do not only learn by our words, but also by our actions. A good leader in the home must not only teach the right things, but also show an example of honesty and integrity.
In the Workplace
Jethro’s advice about good leaders will also apply to leaders in the workplace. Though most of the following passages refer to the master/slave relationship, there are principles that apply to the common employer/employee relationship today.
- God-fearing – “Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven” (Colossians 4:1; cf. Ephesians 6:9). Some bosses make poor leaders because they simply enjoy being “in charge” and telling people what to do. Good leaders will recognize that their actions are seen by God (cf. Hebrews 4:13) and will lead accordingly.
- Lovers of truth – When Paul instructed slaves to obey their masters, he said, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality” (Colossians 3:23-25). Our first obligation is to serve the Lord. As Paul mentioned this in the context of serving one’s master, he implied that masters should direct those who labor for them in a way that does not contradict the truth, so that the workers can serve both without having to choose the Lord over their master.
- Honest – “Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth” (James 5:4). Those in positions of leadership in the workplace must not try to cheat those who work for them, but be honest in their dealings with them.
In the Government
The principles of good leadership do not just apply to a theocracy like God established with the nation of Israel after delivering them from Egypt. These same principles apply to civil authorities today.
- God-fearing – “So the nations will fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of earth Your glory” (Psalm 102:15). Christ is “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named” (Ephesians 1:21). No matter how powerful a ruler is on earth, the Lord is greater.
- Lovers of truth – “Loyalty and truth preserve the king, and he upholds his throne by righteousness” (Proverbs 20:28). We sometimes say that rulers are not above the law. They are certainly not above God’s law. Therefore, they must value the truth. “If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, all his ministers become wicked” (Proverbs 29:12).
- Honest – “The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it” (Proverbs 29:4). The wise man also said, “A king who sits on the throne of justice disperses all evil with his eyes” (Proverbs 20:8). The injustice done by a dishonest ruler causes evil to rise in the land.
In the Church
Finally, the qualities of good leaders that Jethro gave to Moses will also apply to those who lead in the Lord’s church. Elders have an official position of leadership as “overseers, to shepherd the church of God” (Acts 20:28; cf. 1 Peter 5:1-2). However, preachers also lead in the sense that they strive to lead people to the truth of God’s word. Paul told the young evangelist Titus, “These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority” (Titus 2:15). Therefore, let us notice how these qualities are to be found in both elders and preachers.
- God-fearing – Regarding elders, the Hebrew Christians were told, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (Hebrews 13:17). The elders “will give an account” for their work; therefore, they must fear God. This godly fear also applies to those who preach the word, as Paul said, “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:11).
- Lovers of truth – The church is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Therefore, it is not surprising to see that those who lead in the church are to love the truth. Elders must love the truth enough to hold “fast the faithful word…so that [they] will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). Preachers must love the truth enough that they preach it “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) and not fail as Peter did when Paul rebuked him because he was “not straightforward about the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14). We must always speak “the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
- Honest – Elders are not to serve “for sordid gain, but with eagerness” (1 Peter 5:2; cf. Titus 1:7). Their character must be “free from the love of money” (1 Timothy 3:3). In the same way, as Paul preached the gospel, he was diligent to provide “for honest things…in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21, KJV). He did this so that he would give “no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry [would] not be discredited” (2 Corinthians 6:3).
Conclusion
In every area of life, it is important to have good leaders. We ought to remember the advice that Jethro gave to Moses. If you find yourself in a leadership position – whatever it may be – lead with godly fear, honesty, and a love for the truth. Also, beware of following leaders who do not possess these qualities, as they can easily lead you astray. But in all things, always remember to follow the Lord (John 10:27).
Andy, this is an excellent and much needed article. Thanks.
Thanks, Larry!