But you yourself should select out of all the people capable men, fearing God, trustworthy men, hating unjust profit . . . and they must carry the load with you.” (Exodus 18:17-23) This new judicial arrangement in Israel served to spread the load to other capable men. The congregation of Israel now had an organized body of elders qualified to handle judicial matters and disputes.

5. Was Moses to choose just any older men that were available?

⁵ What a contrast with this present world system where so few really appreciate high principles​—where bribery and corruption undermine the rulers and the ruled! Back there in ancient Israel the men who were to serve with Moses in administering justice to the nation were to be carefully sought out. As Jethro put it: “You must yourself search for capable, God-fearing men among all the people, honest and incorruptible men, and appoint them over the people.” (Exodus 18:21, The New English Bible) It was not simply a matter of choosing men who were older in years. Moses was to “search” for capable, qualified, incorruptible men. What a marvelous standard for those who must care for the interests of Jehovah’s people today!

Under the guidance of God’s holy spirit, those appointed as “older men,” or elders, in the Christian congregation would be ‘capable, honest, incorruptible and God-fearing men.’

13. Why were active, capable men needed in the Christian congregation?

¹³ From Pentecost of 33 C.E. onward the congregation of believers grew rapidly. (Acts 2:41; 4:4) They were not separated into private, secluded Bible study groups as if they were some Essene sect. Christianity was not a private affair. It was to be made public knowledge, to be announced to the nations. (Matthew 5:14-16; 28:19, 20) For this reason, active, capable men were needed to take the lead in the Christian organization. Logically they would be the “older men.”

Qualifications for “Older Men”

14. What requirements for elders did Peter highlight?

¹⁴ Certainly, by the seventh decade of the Common Era spiritual qualifications had been established for those older men who would take the lead in the Christian congregation. Thus we find ample references to these in the writings of the apostles Peter and Paul. For example, Peter wrote:

“Therefore, to the older men among you I give this exhortation . . . : Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:1-3)

Logically, when Peter stressed that the “older men” were to serve not “for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly,” he was echoing the counsel that Moses select ‘capable, God-fearing, trustworthy men, hating unjust profit.’​—Exodus 18:21.