Jethro Principle
Exodus 18
There’s a modern proverb that goes like this, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” In reality, over-working does more than that. It also makes a person exhausted! It’s not a good thing to get work out of balance. That’s one of the reasons God instituted the Sabbath. To help us find balance for our lives.
When Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, came for a visit, he rejoiced in all that God had done for Moses. And yet he saw some concerning things with his son-in-law. Jethro said to him, in v. 14, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”
Moses was working sun-up to sun-down, each and every day. And he was doing it without help. Exhausted and alone. A double whammy. Like we saw in Exodus 17, we need one another. We also need to learn how to work wisely. Jethro had some great advice on how.
He told Moses to “look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of ten” (v. 21). In the previous verse Jethro had told Moses to disciple the people through the teaching of God’s Word. Walking with God and serving God has always been a team sport. It’s meant to be done together.
It tells us in v. 24, “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” Moses lined up other men to help him lead and minister to the people. He focused his attention on the most important issues. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Could these two actions steps help?
Who could you get to help you in lessening your load, either at work or at home? Also, are your priorities in order? Moses focused on the highest priorities. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given too much time to lesser things. Today’s passage was a great reminder for me to focus on what matters. Balance in life matters. Rest matters. And so I must prioritize them. How about you?
Need to find some balance and better rest? Who is someone wise in your life that you could meet with regularly for advice and encouragement? When life’s out of balance, they can help give some godly “tough love.” I appreciate the humility that Moses demonstrates in today’s passage. He was over all the people and yet he was teachable and willing to listen to others. How about us? Are we?
Exodus 18
There’s a modern proverb that goes like this, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” In reality, over-working does more than that. It also makes a person exhausted! It’s not a good thing to get work out of balance. That’s one of the reasons God instituted the Sabbath. To help us find balance for our lives.
When Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, came for a visit, he rejoiced in all that God had done for Moses. And yet he saw some concerning things with his son-in-law. Jethro said to him, in v. 14, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?”
Moses was working sun-up to sun-down, each and every day. And he was doing it without help. Exhausted and alone. A double whammy. Like we saw in Exodus 17, we need one another. We also need to learn how to work wisely. Jethro had some great advice on how.
He told Moses to “look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of ten” (v. 21). In the previous verse Jethro had told Moses to disciple the people through the teaching of God’s Word. Walking with God and serving God has always been a team sport. It’s meant to be done together.
It tells us in v. 24, “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” Moses lined up other men to help him lead and minister to the people. He focused his attention on the most important issues. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Could these two actions steps help?
Who could you get to help you in lessening your load, either at work or at home? Also, are your priorities in order? Moses focused on the highest priorities. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve given too much time to lesser things. Today’s passage was a great reminder for me to focus on what matters. Balance in life matters. Rest matters. And so I must prioritize them. How about you?
Need to find some balance and better rest? Who is someone wise in your life that you could meet with regularly for advice and encouragement? When life’s out of balance, they can help give some godly “tough love.” I appreciate the humility that Moses demonstrates in today’s passage. He was over all the people and yet he was teachable and willing to listen to others. How about us? Are we?
Posted in Journey of Hope