January 26
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.” Prov. 12:20.
“God gave to Moses special direction for the management of His work. He directed Moses to associate men with him as counsellors; that his burdens might be lightened. Through Jethro the message was given: “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons; and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou
shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.”
And…. Moses said, “When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God and His laws.” [Ex. 18:16]. This work is still to be done, and if the men who now bear responsibilities will not do it, then it must be committed to others. The Lord’s work must be carried forward without guile, hypocrisy, or covetousness.
In His instruction to Moses the Lord very plainly set forth the character of those who were to fill important positions as counsellors. They are to be “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” As a people we should study God’s plans for conducting His work. Wherever He has given directions in regard to any point, we should carefully consider how to regard His expressed will.
Was this counsel only applicable in the days of Moses? No, no. This counsel is for us. It should be heeded by our responsible men. The president… has been left to gather to himself burdens which God has not laid upon him, and the things that he has tried to do could not be done wisely and well.
Thus it is left on record for our admonition that “where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” [Prov. 11:14]. And all should know that where there is safety, there is peace!
The president… should have the privilege of deciding who shall stand by his side as counsellors. Those who will keep the way of the Lord, who will preserve clear, sharp discernment by cultivating home religion, are safe counsellors. Of such a one the Searcher of hearts saith, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him. And they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Counsellors of the character that God chose for Moses are needed by the president….
SOURCE REFERENCES
SpTA08 27.1, SpTA08 28.1-2, SpTA08 29.1