Exodus 18 – You Are Doing Way Too Much!
Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard all that God had done for Moses and the Israelites. He heard that the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt. Jethro took Moses’ wife Zipporah back to Moses with their two sons, Gershom (for Moses said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) and Eliezar (for Moses said,”The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). Jethro took them to the wilderness, where Moses was encamped at the mountain of God. Jethro sent word to Moses that he was bringing Zipporah and the boys to him. Moses went out to meet Jethro and bowed down and kissed him. They exchanged “niceties” and went into the tent. Moses told his father-in-law all that God had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians on Israel’s behalf. He told him all of the hardship they endured on the way and how God delivered them. Jethro rejoiced for all the good God had done for Israel by delivering them out of the hand of the Egyptians, Have you ever rejoiced after hearing how God has blessed someone else? Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.” Jethro also said that he now knows that the Lord is greater than all the gods because in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, God was above them. Jethro took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. Aaron and all of the elders of Israel came to eat with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people. The people stood before Moses from morning until the evening. When Jethro saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he questioned it. He asked Moses why was he sitting alone while the people came before him from morning to evening. Moses told Jethro it was because the people came to see him to inquire of God. He said that when there is an issue, the people came to him and he judged between one and the other. He would let them know the statutes and laws of God. Jethro told Moses that this wasn’t good for him or the people. He said that they would wear themselves out. In other words, Moses was doing way too much! Do you ever feel that you are doing way too much? I can only imagine the toll this was taking on Moses, sitting all day long listening to dispute after dispute. The people must have gotten weary also, standing in line waiting for their turn to argue their cases before Moses. Can’t we all just get along? Jethro told Moses that this was too much for him to perform by himself. Jethro proceeds to give Moses good advice and told him that if he listens to this counsel, God would be with him. He told Moses to stand before God for the people so that he could take their difficulties to Him. Moses was to teach the people the statutes and laws showing them the way they must walk and the work they must do. Jethro told Moses to select capable men who feared God; men of truth, hating covetousness. Moses was to put them as rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These men would judge the people at all times. They would bring the great matters to Moses, but small matters they would handle themselves. This would be easier for Moses to have these men to help him bear the burden. He said if Moses followed his advice, and God so commands him, then he would be able to endure and all the people would go to their place in peace. Moses heeded Jethro’s advice and did all that he said. Moses chose able men and made them rulers as told by Jethro. They judged the people at all times, but brought the hard cases to Moses and judged the small cases themselves. Have you ever received wise counsel from an older person? Did you listen and follow the advice? Have you ever given wise counsel to someone younger than you? Then Jethro departed and went to his own land.
The next stop on this journey is Exodus 19.
To God Be The Glory!
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Hello Fellow Bloggers:
I like his title: You Are Doing Way Too Much!
The question was asked, “Have you ever rejoiced after hearing how God has blessed someone else?” Yes, I have. the main two reasons are: (1) God answered prayers or made provisions for someone else. I get joy from seeing others being blessed. God has proven to be faithful to all. (2) God has no respect of person. What He has done for others, He will do for you and me. There may be a time in my life where I need a similar blessing. I know God is able because I believe and I have seen.
I loved how Jethro acknowledged that he now knows that the Lord is great!
Next question: “Do you ever feel that you are doing way too much?” My answer is YES! Most of the time is because I didn’t stop and pray first and ask God is this something I should add to my plate or does God have someone else that He will designate to do it. Just as Jethro instructed Moses to delegate.
Next question: “Have you ever received wise counsel from an older person?” Yes, I have.
Next question. “Did you listen and follow the advice?” Yes, I have. It was some of the best advice I had ever been given. I wish I had listened more to an older person’s advice, it would have saved me a lot of heartache.
Next question: “Have you ever given wise counsel to someone younger than you?” Yes, I have. I shared the wisdom that I learned from my experience to prevent them from making the same mistake(s).
See you in Exodus 19.
Great comments, Pennee! I’m sure that many of us can relate to your responses to each question. Thanks.