When does Helping become Usurpation?

There are a couple of verses that talk about people helping Moses in his work.

But how they help makes a big difference.

Supporting Moses

Exodus 18:17–19 (NKJV)

So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: …

Jethro saw that the work Moses had taken on was too much for him.

They were too much for anyone.

Jethro had an idea, which he offered to Moses.

Actually, it was a two part plan.

Exodus 18:19–20 (NKJV)

… Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.

First, Moses would stand before God.

He would hear from God and teach the law to the people.

Exodus 18:21–22 NKJV

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.

Part two of Jethro’s plan was for Moses to find the appropriate men who would help him.

These men had to have certain qualification:

They had to fear God,

Be truthful,

Hating covetousness.

Moses would place them in a structured hierarchy,

Rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

These men would be available to judge small controversies for the people,

The big issues they would bring to Moses.

Exodus 18:23 NKJV

If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

Jethro’s advice was all about helping Moses.

To make sure he could continue to do the job God had called him to.

Korah, Dathan, Abriam, and More

Compare Jethro’s advice.

Numbers 16:1–2 NKJV

Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown.