Wisdom Strengthens the Wise

Wisdom Strengthens the Wise Exodus 18:13-27 Scripture Context • Impossible Situations and God’s Supply: 1. Bitter water; Tree makes sweet 2. No Food; Manna 3. No Water; Water from the Rock 4. Warring Amalekites; Military Deliverance 5. Clogged Courts; Godly Counsel • Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law a convert of exactly one day, offers advice. Israel’s Context • In the ancient world, it was understood that all leaders (civil and military) served as judges. • Egypt was both famous and infamous for making Pharaoh available for ultimate adjudication. • Israel has neither laws nor precent; 2 million nouveau riche living in tight proximity at the height of long/hot summer days (it’s now July) • “The next day …” from a grand family reunion. • Moses feels both obligated and trapped. We might say, “It’s my cross to bear.” Jethro’s Advice 1. Humble • • He observes and asks questions first (v. 14). 2x he commends his advice to God’s approval (19, 23) 2. God-Centered • • • In making his judgment, he quotes God (Genesis 2:18) Reinforces Moses’s role as God’s representative (19-20) Chief requirement for a judge is that they “fear God” (see Proverbs 3:5-7) 3. Considerate • • You and the people will fall like leaves from a tree (v. 18) Judges down to the 10s promotes swift resolution Jethro’s Advice 4. Programmatic • • Judges were not appointed by the will of the people, nobility, birth, wealth, etc; appointed by godly character and personal performance. Percentage of government involvement remains static. 5. Christological • “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many people” (Isaiah 2:4) • His name shall be called “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6) • “Whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD” – the words of Yahweh’s wisdom (Proverbs 8) Applications • “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15) • “I will lead the blind in a way they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16)