Eza 10:15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them. (ESV)
Israel's unfaithfulness is being addressed in this chapter. A plan had been proposed, because of the weather and the enormous task involved, to take some time and deal with the problem in a dispersed but orderly manner. Everyone was to go home and select leaders in each town would deal with the issue on a case by case basis. These four men listed above opposed the plan. Were they opposed to requiring men to divorce their pagan wives, or were they opposed to a decentralized application of the solution? We are not sure. What we do know is that not everyone was in agreement.
I have known people who believed that if God was truly leading a congregation then there should be 100% agreement. We clearly don't see that here, and yet the solution seems to be from God and it seemed to work. I know other people who believe that as long as there is a majority vote then the church should move forward. Majority rules. Note that in this case neither of those principles is in play. Not everyone was in agreement yet they moved forward with their plan of action. Neither was this a simple majority vote. I think it is significant that the text says "only" two men opposed the decision and two additional men supported them. Four men opposed to the decision out of probably a few thousand inidicates more than a simple majority.
In this passage there is a proposal by leaders and a strong consensus among the people. We see this same principle practiced in Acts 15 at the Jerusalem Council. The Church faced its first major theological crisis in this council. After hearing all the testimony James makes a decision, but it is a decision that was supported by a strong consensus of the people. In Acts 15:19 James expressed his judgment after having demonstrated that his decision was based on both the work of the Spirit and the teaching of the scriptures. In response to his judgment verse 22 tells us that it "seemed good to the apostles and the elders" to send letters with certain men expressing this decision throughout the Church. A decision was made with the strong consensus of the others in the council.
Biblical leaders don't make every decision for those they lead, nor does every good idea need to originate with them. The decision made in Ezra 10 did not originate with Ezra. But, biblical leaders do need to make decisions and the wisdom of their decision is often validated by the strong consensus of those they lead. This takes wisdom and humility, sensitivity to the Spirit and the ability to listen well to those they lead. Biblical leaders are not commanders, they are leaders. There is a difference. Ezra was a leader.
Father, forgive me for the times my ego has gotten in the way of good leadership. By your grace may I lead with wisdom and humility. May I listen well to your Spirit and to those you have called me to lead. To your glory.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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