Exodus 18

Bible Passage:  Exodus 18

The schedule for the Bible Blog writers is done so quite randomly.  But one of the amazing things that most of us who contribute to this blog experience is this…. the passage that we are assigned to write on very often has direct, pertinent and necessary lessons that we ourselves need at that time.  Today’s passage is not different for me.

Do you identify yourself with Moses over here?  I certainly do.

There he was, working from day till night, shouldering the task of serving his people and this tired him out.  But he knew no better.  And no one taught him otherwise until his father-in-law, Jethro, stepped in.  The exchange between Moses and Jethro carried with it some principles that is good for me to learn and remember… and maybe they are usual to you to…

A Man of Authority Must Also Respect Authority

It would have been very easy and perhaps natural for Moss to become defensive and protect his own ‘political turf’ when Jethro offered advice.

“… The thing that you do is not good” ~ Exodus 18:17

I am sure no one likes to hear this being directed at them.

To my shame, I must admit that there were times when some well meaning members came up to me and offered advice on certain things that I was leading and doing that while I smilingly nodded in acceptance, but inwardly I was seething…

“What do they know about this work?”

“I have been doing this for such a long time and I know better!”

“I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice…” (okay, I often heard this  (: )

Instead of showing respect and then listened and responded willingly to advice, I chose to defy, closed my ears and ignore the words of wisdom.  But Moses was the complete opposite.  He showed respect. He listened.  And he willing responded to sound advice.

Moses listened to Jethro. Moses knew how to not bow to the complaints of the children of Israel (Exodus 17:3), but also knew how to hear godly counsel from a man like Jethro.

It is very easy to dispense advice.  But it is very difficult to take advice.  But if you are a leader, can you expect those under you to respect your authority if you do not respect the authorities over you?

And there is always a higher authority that we all must submit to…

“…Stand before God for the people….” ~ Exodus 18:19

This is an essential step for every leader in church to do, and when I say leader, I do not limit it to the ministers or exco members but everyone in church who is a leader to someone else in one way or another.

God must be in the picture in whatever we do.  Especially when we are doing it for and with the people of God.

We have to pray for those we lead.  We must ourselves submit to the authority of God.  And also others who have been sent by God to give us good advice.

Authority Has A Way of Becoming Intoxicating

It is apparent that Mose knew very little about delegation of responsibility.  This will explain his long tiring days.  But when Jethro asked him why “you alone sit, and all the people stand before you,” he replied that “people come to me to inquire of God.” (Ex 18:14-15).

Could it be that this statement reflects the intoxicating allure of being in charge?

A few of us were talking just the other night about how easy is it for us to commit this mistake:  When we are in charge or very passionate about a certain work, we tend not to accept critcisms or suggestions or viewpoints that differ from ours because there is a tendency to feel that we know best and that we have the right authority or credentials to decide what is best.

Do you find yourself reluctant to share power because of the boost it gives your ego to have others dependent on you?

It was a good thing Moses was not anything like us.  Very quickly and willingly, he was willing to give up some of his centralized control.

Are there any work areas that you are over protective about your territory and do not even want to consider giving it up for others to do?  This had been one of the lessons that I had learned in the past year and am still learning to do so this year.  And this is a good reminder for me to continue doing the right thing…

Authority Should Be Invested In Others Prudently

Jethro was not simply suggesting that Moses fill a handful of leadership positions the way many others do, with relatives and cronies.  Rather, he described job qualifications based on proven character.

This is a reminder that delegation is a privilege, not a right.  A leader ought to consider the quality and ability of prospective appointees.

But in order to ensure that that delegation is carried out properly, there is a need first to “… teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do” (Ex 18:20).

If the people knew God’s word for themselves, many disputes could be settled immediately.

If the people knew the Word of God for themselves, they could also help lead and guide others with the wisdom from God.

Jethro also went further and told Moses to “select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” (Ex 18:21).  This is very important in church work.  Delegation fails if the job is not put into the hands of able, godly men.  Only particular men were fit for this job:

• Men of ability:  able men
• Men of godliness:  such as fear God
• Men of God’s Word:  men of truth

Paul gave the same counsel to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2: And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

The Church is going to have a Job Fair the week after where different areas of church work will be introduced and recruitment will be done for members who are willing to serve in the different areas.  It would be wonderful if more members participate in the different works in church.

And this is a good reminder that while we delegate and recruit new workers, there is a need to train them to be able workers and to more importantly know the Word of God so that their actions and work will be guided by God’s principles and not man’s.

And it is also a very important reminder that we who are the workers should be godly men.  Being able and knowledgeable is not enough.  We must be holy vessels, fit for the Lord’s use (2 Timothy 2:21).

There are more things that we can learn from what Moses did in this chapter.  Will you share with us?