Deuteronomy 4:14 And the Lord directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.

This is significant in two directions. In the first place, God’s Law was for the whole people, for them to live by when they crossed over into the land God had promised them. However, the other side of it is that Moses, and subsequent leaders, were to teach the people what the law was. Disobedience was the responsibility of the people, but ignorance was the responsibility of the leaders. We do need to remember that literacy was a pretty rare thing back then, so all these laws had to be transmitted orally. That might seem to make the load on modern leaders much lighter, since they can tell people to read the Bible. In a sense that’s true, but things seldom penetrate very well that way. Leaders need to exemplify and demonstrate God’s laws for people really to grasp them. Everyone is individually accountable before God, but as James pointed out, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1) There’s plenty of responsibility to go around! There is a principle in civil law that “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” Ignorance can lead to leniency, but we all run into the necessity of grace. As Paul famously expounded in Romans, we have all sinned, making God’s grace essential to us. The glorious news is that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) Leaders are responsible to teach both God’s laws and His grace.

I have been in pastoral ministry for about half a century, and I know from experience that this can get most awkward when the leader is the one in need of grace. Yesterday a brother pointed out to me how I had deeply hurt someone in the church, and in seeking to resolve that, I discovered that I had been getting someone else’s name wrong. I know the right things to do, but I don’t always do them! At this point I can only act in humility and trust that God will use all of this for blessing, despite what it looks like on the surface. (Romans 8:28) That God can use even our mistakes for good is another indication of His omnipotent mercy.

Father, thank You for this Word, and for Your truly amazing grace. Help me be an effective channel of that grace to all, and particularly the sheep in my care, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!