Deuteronomy chapter 1

vs 12

As I said, Moses wasn't against God's blessing, but he did recognise that it was preventing him from being able to do his job.

vs 13

And so, Moses delegates responsibility - using a mix of democracy and ordination to choose those who will serve in the roles of leaders. It's funny, people always say that there's no democracy in the Bible. Here it is right here - Moses tells the people to choose leaders from amongst themselves, and he will invest power into them.

I'll remember that.

vs 14

And there you go - the democratic method obviously wasn't anathema to the culture, because the people say, "OK."

vs 15

So these were both military positions (the commanders of numbers are generally read that way) and also official administrative positions or representative positions - the other term is a little vague. Anyway, we know what the point of the exercise was - to reduce the workload of Moses as leader, most probably mainly as a judge.

vs 16

There, see, judges.

Now, while it sounds all fair and equitable, there's nothing saying that a foreigner has to be treated equally - fairly for a foreigner might mean less recompense than for an Israelite. But then, that they get any sort of consideration at all is probably better than what other nations did. The key in these things is to see a progression of rights to such people. Does it happen? Well, not by any initiative of Israel as far as I can see.

vs 17

So the judgments are to be just, and even over small things ("He kicked my dog!"). Interestingly, it would seem that Moses does have a wisdom greater than the average tribal official, because he is the final arbiter over difficult cases. Perhaps he's no more wise, but sometimes you just need a final outcome that people can't appeal. I don't think that's the vibe of the passage, but it's possible I guess.

vs 18

So Moses also trained these leaders in their positions. It's funny how we miss simple little things like that when it comes to thinking how to do our own things in places like church.

Anyway, I hope I'm not over-analysing all this. After all, this is just Moses' way of capping off all the stuff that has happened so far. We could return to the more in depth detailed versions if we wanted.

vs 19

It's easy to make big important decisions about the fate of a nation when God tells you what to do.

I don't want that to sound too flippant, but I think we all know that none of us hears voices from the sky. It doesn't mean we can't wait on God to reveal a truth or wisdom to us - and that requires patience and a real desire to hear from God on the subject. But sometimes God just does make his will really easily and openly known. Those times, it is easy, to know it at least.

vs 20

This is a pre-war speech. Reaching country they are to claim. Just imagine what it would have felt like for Israel to be standing there staring out at land that is previously occupied, that they will have to take from people who don't want to give it up. It makes my stomach queasy.

vs 21

So obviously fear and discouragement were natural feelings at this point. But it's either follow God's word or don't. And thankfully, for Israel, God had given them a leader they could follow, who would prod them and remind them of what God said and what their responsibilities were.

vs 22

It might be a delaying tactic, or it might be a show of fear. But it's also prudent, and there's no lack of faith in being wise and prudent and patient.

It's difficult for us to make easy value judgments on these actions - so much of the OT narrative is not editorialised, and is instead left there for us to read. We're meant to know what to feel when we read it. The problem is that over 3000 years of culture is dividing us from the norms of the time, so we have to work hard at it. Just making pat decisions and judgments is irresponsible.