NBC Sunday School Manual For January 23, 2022 : Topic – INCORRUPTIBLE LEADERS
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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Sunday, January 23, 2022
TOPIC: INCORRUPTIBLE LEADERS
Background Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 17:8-13;1-9, 15-21
Lesson Scripture reading: Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 17:8-13
Golden Text: Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Deuteronomy 16:18
By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:
1. State at least three (3) duties of the judges and their local officials;
2. Discuss the importance of following due process in administering justice;
3. Make personal resolutions to be fair and just in all their dealings.
Introduction
One of the challenges of the 21 century is leadership. Lack of effective and exemplary leadership is one of the problems of many African nations, including Nigeria. In an attempt to describe the vital role of godly leadership, someone said: “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
Another person also said,“|f the head (leader) is sick, other parts of the body (the followers) will be affected.” These assertions point to the importance of good leadership in the smooth running of any system or organisation.
There have been cases of some leaders who intentionally distort justice by manipulating existing laws, simply to suit them. They do not mind whether their actions hurt other people or not, provided their needs are met.
Unfortunately, such leaders forget that God has given them the opportunity to assume leadership positions in order to impact lives, as they lead with a high sense of integrity and responsibility.
It is interesting to know that God is interested in good leadership (the way His people are governed).
God was specific in Deuteronomy chapter 16 when He commanded that incorruptible leaders like judges, officials and priests should be appointed. They were supposed towork together to administer justice to His people without partiality.
Their job descriptions were carefully spelt out, as they lead God’s people to occupy the Promised Land, which God had sworn to give to their fathers. This is the import of today’s lesson.
THE LESSON EXPLAINED
A. God’s Command to Appoint Credible Leaders: Deuteronomy 16:18-20
The last few verses of Deuteronomy chapter 16 are dedicated to instructions concerning the celebration of the three festivals; the Passover, the Harvest and Shelters. From verse 18, the people were commanded to restructure the judicial system for the sake of administration of justice.
They were instructed to appoint judges (incorruptible leaders who are upright and disciplined) and other officials with a representative from each town that God had given to them.
The idea of appointing incorruptible leaders is stressed because of the importance of administering impartial justice to the people. They were expected to:
l. Practise justice and not show favouritism in judicial matters. Simply put, they should be men of high integrity, discipline and respect.
2. Be honest in the discharge of their duties and not take bribe. The issue of giving bribe was strongly condemned because those who take bribe will not be able to do what is right.
Taking bribe ruins the cause of those who are innocent (Exodus 23:8).The emphasis to be just and fair in handling judicial cases among the people of Israel was a condition to inherit and live in the land God had given to their fathers.
Furthermore, God promised to condemn anyone who does such wicked thing (Exodus 23:7). The instruction to not pervert justice or show favouritism is common in the Scripture.
The author of the book of James was forthright when he said, “…do not show favouritism” because those who do such things have become judges with evil thoughts (Jdmes 2:1b, 4b).
The command not to show portiality is not only for the Israelites but also for today’s Christians, especially these days when corruption is widely practised. Showing favouritism violates the low of God regarding loving other people as much as we love ourselves.
Discussion Time
1. Discuss how godly leaders can be identified and chosen into offices.
2. Describe the nature of a society or organization where leaders pervert justice.
B. Refer Matters to Higher Officials: Deuteronomy 17:8-11
God’s instructions about right administration of justice were explicit. After the command to appoint credible and godly leaders as well as their functions has been clearly stated, God described their style of operation.
The appointed judges were admonished to refer difficult cases like bloodshed and assault to a higher authority the priests who are Levites and to the judges in authority. Moses gave a stern warning in verse 10. He said,
“You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the Lord will choose. Be careful to do everything they direct you to do.”
It is most likely that these leaders have proven to be fair and just in their duties without perverting justice or showing partiality in the discharge of justice. The advice to accept and follow their judgment in detail is repeated in verse 11.
Furthermore, the encouragement to make referral to a higher authority over difficult cases stresses the importance of following due process in the administration of justice. It gives opportunity for everyone to play their roles without accusing one another of being bias. It also helps to avoid murmuring, gossip, jealousy and hatred. It is often said that justice delayed is justice denied.
The need to urgently dispense fairness in judgment among the people of Israel is obvious in the passage. Any society or organisation where there is fairness and equity, there is bound to be peace and progress because no one will feel cheated.
Similarly, the command to make referral of difficult cases to higher authorities should be emulated by believers for the sake of objectivity. More so, before leaders are appointed, there should be some element of trustworthiness, evidence of spiritual maturity and consistency in their lives.
The absence of these qualities in a leader can make them vulnerable to partiality in the administration of justice.
Discussion Time
1. Why do Christians sometimes find it difficult to obey higher authority?
2. What are the roles of Christians in the lives of wicked leaders, especially those who are known to
pervert justice?
C. Penalty for Disobedience Deuteronomy 17:12-13
The instructions God gave to the people of Israel through Moses were to be taken with all seriousness. Thus, God pronounced death penalty for those who will disobey. In verse 12, He said,“The man who shows contemptfor the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God must be put to death.”
This implies that anyone who disobeys the orders of either the priest or judge who are God’s representatives in the administration of justice will be put to death.
The death sentence is to serve as deterrent to erring Israelites. ltwill also help to remove wickedness from among the people. Moreso, the people will fear God and not take His instructions lightly again.
To show contempt is to put up an attitude that shows that someone or something is not important and deserves no respect. It is a legal term used in the law court to describe an attitude of disrespect.
ln Nigeria or any other country, contempt of court is a serious offence punishable by imprisonment or a fine. In the same way, anyone who shows disregard for the judge or the priest must be put to death (v. 12).
In the Old Testament, the priests and Levites played the role of judges among God’s people the Israelites; so they had the right to execute capital punishment on any offender.
The death sentence for erring Israelites was to promote decency and respect for constituted authority. There is bound to be lawlessness and disorderliness in a society, organisation, family and church when there are no rules and regulations.
This was also to guard against exploitation of vulnerable members of the society, to maintain law and order and to curb vices.
Those who act contrary are usually made to face the consequences, which range from arrest, imprisonment with hard labour to payment of fine.
Discussion Time
1. Is death sentence for erring people still relevant? If no, what are the best ways to punish offenders?
2. Consider the consequences of disobeying court orders and compare them with the consequences of disobeying God. What lessons should Christians learn from this?
Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity
Divide the class into two groups. Ask each group to write some things ledders should do and the other group whdt leaders should not do. They ore to read it aloud and pray for leaders in all sectors.
Take Home
Write down three lessons you are taking home from today’s lesson
Prayer
▪︎Pray that God will help you to be impartial whenever you have opportunity to settle issues between individuals.
▪︎Pray that God should make you humble enough to obey as well as refer difficult issues to a higher authority.
▪︎Pray for the grace to always respect constituted authorities.
Commitment
Based on today’s lesson, make a personal commitment to be an exemplary leader wherever ~ has placed you to serve.