Minimize the Mistaken Majority

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:” (Ex 23:2 AV)

The second half of the verse is the confusing part.  The first half lays context.  As a judge of Israel, they were not to follow the majority if it was the wrong thing to do.  They were not to agree with the majority just because it was the majority.  The second half of the verse says the same thing, but in a little more detail.  The first says not to follow the multitude.  The second half says not to represent the multitude by changing righteous judgment because the multitude wishes it to be so.

This is why God does not endorse democracies.  The multitude can, and often is, wrong.  Mob rule is not biblical rule.  The multitude desired to kill Christ.  The leaders felt there was nothing they could do because the multitude wanted it. So, they perverted justice because the majority wished it so.  God uses theocracies.  The Old Testament family was led by a patriarch who was led by the LORD.  Israel was led by judges, prophets, and kings bound by the word of God and held accountable to it.  But the people did not vote.  The New Testament church, although it has the responsibility to vote in five different areas of concern, was not organized as a democracy.  She must still submit to a human authority in the person of the Pastor.  He is held accountable to the same word of God he preaches, and can be disciplined accordingly, but he does have authority delegated to him directly from the LORD.

Just because the majority wishes it to be so does not mean it is biblical.  Those with the ability and responsibility to make decisions can consider the wishes and counsel of the multitude, but if their counsel conflicts with the word of God, he needs to show leadership and lead contrary to the desire of the multitude.  This is the point of the counsel above.  A righteous leader will lead according to the confines of the word of God and if it comes into conflict with the wishes of the multitude, he cannot decline judgment simply because the multitude would entice him to.  This is the mark of a strong and principled leader.