What Is the Best Way for Leaders to Judge Fairly? — 2 Chronicles 19:4-7, 9-10
2 Chronicles 19:4-6 (NIV84) “Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.”
“He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the Lord, who is with you whenever you give a verdict.”
Whenever a leader makes a judgement, he does not represent himself but God.
Look at the accountability given in verse 7.
2 Chronicles 19:7 (NIV84) “Now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God, there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”
When we fear God over man, there is no injustice or partiality or bribery! – Wow!
When we make judgements, not trying to gain something for ourselves or others, but rather simply to obey and please God, we make the right judgements.
Jehoshaphat goes on to appoint more judges in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 19:9-10 (NIV84) He gave them these orders: “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the Lord. In every case that comes before you from your fellow countrymen who live in the cities—whether bloodshed or other concerns of the law, commands, decrees or ordinances—you are to warn them not to sin against the Lord; otherwise his wrath will come on you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not sin.”
We ourselves should fear God when making judgements, but we are to warn others not to sin against God.
When we personalize everything, we get our judgements all mixed up. When we keep all matters between us and/or them and God, we can remove ourselves from the equation, and we can make the right judgements.
Dear friend, we must fear God. This is the best way to make the best judgements. When we are more afraid of losing something, displeasing someone, or not getting the outcome we want…
Look what happens to all of Judah because of leaders who make judgements with the fear of God.
2 Chronicles 19:4 (NIV84) “Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the Lord, the God of their fathers.”
You see, the result is the people turned back to God.
