ABLE is the second civic leadership expectation that Jethro gives to Moses. CHAYIL is the Hebrew word used for “able”. I had always read that word as synonymous with “competent”, in other words, “people who could do the job” or “an experienced person”. These concepts may certainly be derived from CHAYIL, but the better sense is “courageous”. Willing to fight for and stand for what is right. It has military overtones. Like David’s mighty men, these are people of valor, willing and fearless to lay their life down for the righteous cause.
This is challenging because politics has at its roots the need to be liked, creating consensus, and compromising one’s principles. “Able” men have demonstrated the ability to “swim upstream” and stand firm when necessary.
MacLaren’s Expositions puts it well when he writes, “The statesman is not one that puts his ear down to the ground to hear the tramp of some advancing host, and then makes up his mind to follow in their paths; he is not sensitive to the varying winds of public opinion, nor does he trim his sails to suit them, but he comes to his convictions by first-hand approach to, and meditation on, the great principles that are to guide, and then holds to them with a strength that nothing can weaken, and a courage that nothing can daunt. ‘Men of strength’ is what democracies like ours do most need in their leaders; a ‘strong man, in a blatant land,’ who knows his own mind, and is faithful to it for ever. That is a great demand.”
Is this unrealistic?
I would hope not. In fact, I know not.
Stay tuned, more to follow…
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