[previous CHAPTER]CHAPTER III. Of the Qualifications Required in the Judge or Ruler. The law of God required the following qualifications and properties in the rulers.
1. To be wise, able, understanding men, not children, weak, ignorant, or fools.
Moreover, thou shalt provide of all people able men, Exod. 18:21. Take ye wise and understanding men, and I will make them rulers, Deut. 1:13. Set magistrates and judges which may judge the people, such as know the laws of thy God, Exod. 7:25.
2. To be men well known among their brethren, not aliens or strangers.
And known amongst your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you. So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, Deut. 1:13,15. Two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, Numb. 16:2. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the Lord, and for controversies, 2 Chron. 19. One from amongst thy brethren: Thou mayest not set a stranger over thee.
3. To be just men, men of truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness, not wicked, unjust, false deceitful, covetous, proud, oppressive, &c.
The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The Lord God of Israel said, the rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, 2 Sam. 23:2,3. Men of truth, fearing God, hating covetousness, Exod. 18:21. [next CHAPTER]
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