March 9 – Exodus 18
Obviously for reasons unknown to us beyond speculation, Moses had sent his wife Zipporah and their two sons back to her father’s home as he led the people through the wilderness. In this chapter, we have for Moses what must have been a wonderful reunion with his wife and children. We learn that it is likely Jethro, although a Gentile, had come to believe in our God as noted in verses 9-12, and that Jethro was a man of not only faith but wisdom too.
As the chapter unfolds, Moses takes his place as judge over the people which must have been a regular occurrence. This duty took him all day which wore him out and greatly fatigued the people waiting in line to receive his guidance and decisions. Jethro took note of the day’s events and proceeded to offer Moses some “fatherly” (in-law) advice (v.14,17-23). Basically, Jethro explained to Moses that he needed to delegate some of the duties to mature, spiritual, godly men who could lighten his burden as well as meet the needs of the people in a much more reasonable time frame. Fortunately for all parties involved, Moses listened to wise counsel.
This passage of Scripture is certainly a forerunner of what the disciples learned in Acts 6 as well as God’s plan for the church as described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 by the Apostle Paul. Like the early church, the number of people grew to a level at which the “twelve” could not keep up with the ministry needs. The solution was to share the load so in Acts 6 the apostles encouraged other disciples to select 7 men who, like the men of Exodus 18, had good reputations, were full of the Spirit, and full of spiritual wisdom. They were to be put in charge of some of the task that the apostles were trying to keep up with but in so doing were failing to carry out their main duties of studying and preaching the Word as well as praying for people.
It becomes clear as one reads through the New Testament that God had always intended for the work of ministry to be shared by the people of God. In fact, in Eph. 4:11-12 we read that an important duty of a pastor/teacher is to equip (train) others to do the work of ministry. As this duty is carried out, the body of Christ (the church) is built up (edified) and strengthened. This is God’s plan and it was revealed all the way back in Exodus 18.
Finally, let me make it clear that in every case in the Scriptures where leadership and responsibility is doled out to others, there are strict and clear guidelines as to necessary biblical qualifications for leadership. Jethro shares with Moses qualities that these men needed to possess in order to hold a position or office of leadership. This truth is clarified further in 1 Timothy 3 where we are given the qualifications for being a pastor and a deacon. Immature believers and, even worse, ungodly people should never be granted the high calling of spiritual leadership in the body of Christ. When God’s plans are followed, His blessings fall upon a church, family, or person. When they are not obeyed, a mess follows.