We pick up at Exodus 18: (bold emphasis is my own)
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
~With such a large population, there was bound to be a sizeable number of issues that needed to be settled! And we complain about the lines at the Post Office!!! (Sorry, personal observation....lol) Seriously though, the people were, at least, seeking God's will at that point.
14 And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that you do to the people? why do you sit yourself alone, and all the people stand by you from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.
Picture of Moses Judging Cases: Courtesy ofhttp://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/2008/02/february-3rd-on.html
~I must interject here, that this is the basis for the theory that this chapter may be parenthetical. It appears that God had not yet given Moses His statutes and laws until Exodus19.
17 And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that you do is not good.
18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you: for this thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it yourself alone.
~WHOA, how many times in our lives have we needed to hear these wise words!!! A Jethro intervention - oh yeah! Moses was using his energy unwisely. *gasp!* Sound familiar to anyone, besides me?! Jethro who was experienced as a priest and a shepherd, taught Moses how to delegate - so he could concentrate on the Word of God.
~I am also impressed that God says that the people will wear away as surely as the person that has taken on too big of a burden. It is not good for any of them! I never thought of that before! I am sure that Moses thought he was doing this for the people, not to them. How easily we are mislead!
~ Am I taking on too much? Am I trying to do it all alone? Am I wearing myself out? And the people around me? *gulp* Well, Jethro had very wise advice:
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give you counsel, and God shall be with you: Be you for the people to God-ward, that you may bring the causes unto God:
~First step in delegation: pray for the people. Delegation will not work, if God is not in it; His will and no other/agenda.
20 And you shall teach them ordinances and laws, and shall show them the way (another piece of the "way" study to come) wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
~Teach them/Show them - Moses was to teach the leaders and the people God's foundation principles, show them how to apply those principles and lead them by example.
21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
~Next step in delegation: choose men (or women) that:
Are able
Fear God
Are of truth
Hate covetousness
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto you, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for yourself, and they shall bear the burden with you.
~Jethro and Moses, here, established the Supreme Court and the lower courts. Ironic, isn't it, that currently the Supreme Court wants to abolish God from their system, when GOD is the One Who set it up in the first place???!!!
23 If you shall do this thing, and God command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
~Follow Godly counsel
Hearken to your elders, teachers and mentors.
Listen, discern, learn, and act!
25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
~Interesting that Moses chose his leaders from all of Israel, not just those close to him. He actually scouted his talent. Muy bien!
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
~God's principle of delegation works on all levels; from our families, churches, jobs, the military, to heads of nations and heads of world organizations.
27 And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
~I am sure that that was not an easy parting, on either side! Bittersweet, at best. The new legal system was in place and obviously working well. Moses was, by now, comfortable and confident enough in his new role, that he could let Jethro return to his family. Jethro must have felt the same.
~This is that "letting go time" that can be very difficult, for both sides. That getting "kicked out of the nest" time is not easy for the fledgling nor the parent. It requires taking that step (confidence) and then letting go (trust) for both.
~Important principles of delegation:
Pray for the people/situation
Seek God's will first and foremost
Only move on His say so
Follow the principles that He has in place
Scout for leaders, not just those close
Choose able, honest, God-fearing, non-covetous people to handle the smaller matters
Share the burdens
Bring the harder causes to God
Then, we will be able to endure (whew! sometimes, it doesn't feel like it) and to
Then, we will be able to endure (whew! sometimes, it doesn't feel like it) and to
concentrate on God's Words
And all the people will leave and live in peace (win, win)
When the job is finished, the lessons learned, and
When it is time: Be confident, let go and trust God!
I do wonder: Did Zipp and the boys go back home with Jethro too? Zipporah was never mentioned again by name in the Bible! Hmmmmm.... NOTE: Dig deeper here.
RECOMMENDED READING: The Tyranny of the Urgent based on Exodus 18. Practical advice to help avoid "burnout."
Almighty and Gracious God, our Deliverer, Provider, Counselor and Helper.
We LOVE you and praise You and lift Your Name high above all things!
Thank You for Your Living Word that is the same yesterday, today and forever!
Thank You for caring about each small and great matter.
May we take Jethro's counsel to heart and apply it our own lives.
Help us to learn from Moses, who got so caught up in the lives of Your people.
Sometimes, we feel overburdened and burnt out.
Oh Gracious God, forgive us and teach us.
Show us who to delegate to and how, according to Your will.
Help us, please, to remember that
You called us to do something,
not everything.
Amen.
I am blessed every day with some new revelation of God's Word.
I will be sharing my measure of manna with all who come to my "tent."
Please, let me know if you have been blessed by the way it was prepared for you this day.
2 comments:
oh FRIEND... yes, your "preparation" was received sweetly by me this evening. How dear the counsel of a friend or even better, a family member who really "sees" you. How good to have someone to whom you can give permission to speak truth into your life when maybe you are in the midst of things begun with good intention but somehow gone a little off track. Yes, father-in-law Jethro was the spiritual father of Moses I'm thinking. Don't know why I cry with this thought, but right now, tears are running down these over 50 cheeks... I think it is because no matter what age we are, we NEED that Father. Thankfully we ALWAYS have one Who hears every word. Thanks "my shiloh". c
Whoa, my friend, I believe you answered the "father-in-law" question that I had. Why did our LORD repeat those words/representing that relationship SO often? Could it be because HE is OUR Father-In-Law, in a sense? We ARE the Bride of His Son! Oh yes, there IS more to this! And, of course, you are absolutely right, we DO indeed need that Father. I venture to say even MORE so, the older we get. Oooo, and Jethro was a priest and a shepherd - coincidence, NOT! WAY more to Jethro than I previously realized. I shall spend a some extra time, in this green pasture, ruminating on this. Thank you C!!!!
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