Moses was instructed to appoint seventy elders to help bear the burden of the people. The Mishna regards these elders as having made up what we now know as the Sanhedrin High Court. They were to assist Moses in leading the people in the correct ways of Torah. They were to judge light from darkness. This was apparently a very high and honored position. So it goes without saying they must have behaved very nobly and were very high in their level of knowledge to have achieved this honor, at least one would think.

The Midrash tells us these men were the foremen back in Egypt. They were the Hebrew taskmasters. When Pharaoh ordered one of the Hebrews punished, these unique men took the punishment and let themselves be beaten, in order that their fellow Hebrews could go unscathed. They “refused” to inflict pain upon their brethren. For their willingness to protect others from pain and accept it upon themselves instead, YHVH elevated them to the status of being members of the Sanhedrin. When “anyone” demonstrates sensitivity to his fellow man by feeling his pain, YHVH remembers that person’s compassion and reimburses him. So when the time came for Moses to chose leaders, YHVH saw to it that these men were picked. So the criteria for leadership here was not great wisdom as one would imagine, or great leadership skills. Yet the criteria was simple compassion for your brother.

A willing heart to bear someone else’s burden in life. Most of the time we are too involved in bearing “ours” and “ours” only. Our plea back then to YHVH would sound something like this: Okay YHVH, how about this arrangement, I’ll just deal out the lashes and go real light on him, how’s that? I mean after all, his back is probably tougher than mine is after being out in all this sun and all. You know being a foreman I get to stay in a little more shade than he does. If the Egyptians lash him, he’ll really suffer, so it’s best for him if I do it, right YHVH? What? You want “me” to take the punishment? Don’t you think that’s carrying that “love your brother thing” a bit too far? We are always right there when it comes to sharing in the “joy” part, no problem there. We are certainly willing to share in someone’s financial blessings. No problem getting the green light here. But what about taking on his pain and grief. I’m afraid a lot of people would have to pass YHVH’S “want ad” up when it comes to “this” important requirement!