Moses' Seat

Matthew 23:2-4 KJV

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Jesus acknowledged the authority of the scribes and Pharisees as those who sit in Moses seat and as teachers of the Law.

The people were to observe and do what they taught

Gill says that the all must mean "all that is consistent with the Word of God" because Christ had said that they teach some things contrary to the Law.

They were not to imitate their lives

These scribes and Pharisees were teachers of the Word but not doers of the Word.

No teacher of God's Word does so perfectly or obeys perfectly. Within these verses then we find a principle to use when we find that our pastor is either preaching or practicing imperfectly:

1. Respect the office

There is never a reason sound enough to denigrate the office of the preacher.

2. Obey his message

Insofar that his message is the Word of God it is sound and fit and worthy of our observance. In those areas where his message is inconsistent with the Word of God; obey God and not men.

3. Follow only so far as he follows Christ

We are each responsible for our own relationship with the Lord. A pastor is a gift from God to aide us in our relationship but he is not the keeper of the relationship. When he helps us walk with the Lord, follow. If he practices something unscriptural, do not do after him.

I live in a time when a huge number of probably well intentioned men are assuming the office of pastor but who are disqualified because of divorce and remarriage. When they preach the Bible to their congregations I would counsel that their message be observed. But I would urge that we also fervently preach against divorce and especially against divorced men pastoring. Worse than the error of their deed is the error of implying that their deed is biblical.

Is there ever a time when a man in authority ought to be dismissed? Of course, but my observation is that God always takes care of that in His own time. It would be best if we stayed out of it.