Why is it important to "judge the people at all times" in community? Setting the Scene “ ‘And let them judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major case, but the minor cases they will decide themselves. In this way your load will be lightened, and they will share it with you.’ ” (Exodus 18:22) The Call to Judge at All Times • Jethro urges Moses to appoint capable, God-fearing men so justice flows continuously. • “At all times” signals an ongoing, proactive posture, not occasional crisis management. • The goal: every dispute handled promptly, every person heard, every standard upheld. Why Continuous Judgment Matters 1. Swift Justice Honors God • “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne” (Psalm 89:14). • Delayed justice betrays God’s character; steady judgment mirrors His constancy. 2. Shared Leadership Prevents Burnout • Exodus 18:18 warns Moses, “You and the people with you will surely wear yourselves out.” • Distributing judgment duties preserves leaders’ strength and benefits the whole community. 3. Accountability Protects Holiness • “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). • Regular judgment confronts sin early, guarding the congregation from spiritual drift. 4. Instruction in God’s Law • Judges explain statutes as they decide cases (Deuteronomy 17:9-11). • Each ruling becomes a living lesson, embedding truth in daily life. 5. Order and Peace in Daily Relationships • “Where there is no guidance, a people falls” (Proverbs 11:14). • Consistent judgment resolves conflicts quickly, preventing feuds from festering. 6. Modeling God’s Impartiality • “You shall not show partiality in judgment” (Deuteronomy 1:17). • Visible, fair decisions teach the next generation the beauty of impartial righteousness. 7. Witness to the Nations • Jethro sees Israel’s orderly justice and declares, “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods” (Exodus 18:11). • A community that judges rightly showcases God’s wisdom to outsiders. New Testament Echoes • Matthew 18:15-17: church discipline flows from continual, loving discernment. • 1 Corinthians 6:1-6: believers are urged to settle matters within the body, not before unbelievers. • James 2:12-13: live and speak “as those who are going to be judged by the Law that gives freedom.” Putting It All Together Judging the people “at all times” means cultivating a culture where God’s standards are applied promptly, fairly, and lovingly. It lightens burdens, nurtures holiness, keeps relationships healthy, and broadcasts God’s justice to a watching world. Continuous, community-wide judgment isn’t harsh; it’s a tangible expression of covenant life under a righteous King. |
    |