Jethro's Godly Advice

Introduction

The children of Israel are being shaped and prepared by God through the leadership of Moses in the wilderness.

Moses and the elders of Israel have been encouraged by the arrival of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro.

Jethro leads them into worship in the wilderness with rejoicing and sacrifices to God.

Today we see another wise contribution Jethro makes as the people of Israel prepare to meet with the LORD at mount Sinai.

I. Moses sits to judge the people

Exodus 18:13 ESV

13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening.

“Moses’ seat” tradition

Matthew 23:2–3 ESV

2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

II. Jethro assesses the situation (vs. 14–16)

Exodus 18:14–16 ESV

14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “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?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.”

III. Jethro gives Moses advice (vs. 17–23)

Exodus 18:17–23 ESV

17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, 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 tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

IV. Moses took Jethro’s advice (vs. 24–27)

Exodus 18:24–27 ESV

24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

V. What do we see about God?

A. God sends people in our lives to help us in the work of ministry

B. God expects spiritually responsible people to be selected to work in ministry.

C. God works through miracles and powerful acts but He also accomplishes His will through leadership and administration.

Take a look at this picture: