Great Visits That Bring Victory Part 2

Turn in your Bibles this morning to Exodus 18:13-27.

Exodus 18:13-27

Exodus 18:13–27 NKJV

13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until 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 difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” 17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 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. 19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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. 23 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.” 24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Prayer

Message

Last Sunday you will remember that we studied message 1, Great Visits That Bring Victory as we studied the first part of the visit of Jethro, Moses’ father in law, coming to bring Moses’ family to him to enjoy a great reunion. Jethro, God’s chosen vessel was the answer to the hunger that both Moses and Zipporah and Eliezer and Gershom needed as they reunited their family. Jethro needed Moses as Moses evangelized to Jethro and brought about a faith in Yahweh as he shared. And, Jethro brought about life changing counsel as to judicially oversee the people and in turn recruit others along the process of overseeing the people.

Oh, we will see today that it was a blessing for all parties involved. Jethro’s words represented a word from the Lord providing a solution to make Moses’ life manageable as it related to offering governance to such a large people group and create greater civility and governance for all of Israel. Moses found rest and answers and the people of Israel needs were met.

Firstly, we see that Moses went back to his normal following the great reunion of family and father in law.

We will see what was Moses’ normal and is many peoples normal today.

Moses was guilty of living out the routine of a reactive trained lifestyle.

The Routine of a Reactive Trained Lifestyle

Exodus 18:13–16 “13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until 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 difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.””

Monday morning realities always come after every great reunions with the Lord on Sunday. We must put boots back on the ground in the world on Mondays and face the realities of what life brings us.

After the grand reunion and quality time spent with Zipporah and the boys, the reunion with his father in law in the tent, the next day and its routine, the normalcy of Moses came quickly.

Moses woke up and put on his fire fighter suit and began his day fighting the blazes of life.

I shared in our time last week that Moses was under a great deal of stress and you see the evidence in this text.

He would wake up every single morning and listen to countless conflicts, tenuous cases between family, friends and neighbors, dealing with disputes and he would be the sole person who would apply the laws of God to the situation to bring governance and civility to the matter in a judicial fashion.

If you were not here last Sunday, In Exodus 12:37 “37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.” We know that count did not include women and children. We could safely say that Moses was offering judicial oversight to 2,000,000 people.

Ill. I was in Elmore County Criminal Court serving Jury duty two MOndays ago. There were two judges assigned to the case law and the DA’s office and the defendant attorneys. On that Monday morning there were three remaining cases on the docket and I would have to serve Jury duty. By 1:00 pm of what started as 150 criminal cases were settled between attorneys and a remaining three cases were all settled by attorneys by 1:00 pm knowing that all the jurors were sitting on ready and then the people would have no controls of the outcome, finally elected to allow their attorneys to settle the cases.

Now, can you imagine that Moses was dealing with a group of people that could be about half the size of Atlanta with no attorneys helping to settle out the cases, no additional judges to split the load, no assistance what so ever.

Moses was literally a firefighter who was in the sage of brush fires and timber fires out west and smoke is all around and if blaze comes in on him to the left he reacts, then quickly to the right as the winds shift and he simply battles until he can’t battle anymore. He takes in some food, some fluids, a few hours rest and does it all over again.

Conversely, the use of a drone, the use of a captain or another leader in the fire department either views what the drone sees or flies above in a helicopter to assess the situation. Leadership would determine to get in front of the fire by seeking a fire break location, seek a water source to use a pump or to fill the pump trucks with water, etc. Planning is involved to get the fire under control.

Moses was the firefighter on the ground that was simply battling the fire without any stop to assess to pursue a better plan, let’s just put this fire out, go to bed and come back tomorrow and do it all again.

Do you acts a a firefighter on Monday mornings at ground zero and just working where the flame is the hottest?

There was such waste and weariness in the process of leading that Moses chose. All Moses could see each day was a wall of people around him pulling for his attention. I imagine in Moses weariness there were days when his counsel may not have been sound.

Consider for a moment the people standing around. “There is so much more I could be doing and I am wasting so much time standing around here and yet, this matter must be solved.”

Have you every been to the Probate Office to renew a tag or drivers license? Have you ever heard anyone around you complaining over inefficiency? Do you imagine there were Israelites standing around frustrated and griping under their breath at Moses? Do you believe Moses was winning friends and influencing people at that point? How would you imagine Moses felt?

Isn’t it interesting that people around us can see our dilemma, but we can not see it ourselves? Nor, do we realize many times the adjustments we need to make to solve our issues. Jethro watched his son in law and quickly could assess his predicament.

I believe it was simply the fact Moses had formed a routine, a habit of living a reactive lifestyle. That was his formed response and reaction pattern.

Listen to what his father in law asked Moses?

Exodus 18:14 “14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?””

What is Jethro asking Moses? Why are you the lone wolf? Why are you going at this alone? Why are you battling this blaze all by yourself?

Moses had an answer. Moses was very attune to his role and his responsibility. When Jethro asked Moses what he was doing, Moses had a quick response.

“The people expect me to have all the answers.”

Exodus 18:15–16 “15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.””

Listen to me closely, Moses knew well his role and responsibility. There was no question that Moses knew he was God’s called person to deliver the people of Israel. There was no question that Moses knew his God given responsibility. He realized that He was a prophet called of God to deliver God’s edicts to the people. God had spoken directly to Moses and He knew he was the voice of God to the people. Furthermore, He realized in the conversations he had with God that God had already begun instilling in him the ordinances, the statutes, and judgments to the lead the people even before Exodus 20 when God had given Moses the ten commandments to give to the people. There was no question about his identity, no question about the role he was to fulfill. There was no question that the responsibility was on his back. There is no argument there.

Then where did Moses fail? Where had Moses gone astray? Moses never reflected on the best way to go about fulfilling that role and meeting that responsibility. Moses was fulfilling the role of a servant of God, but he needed a lesson in stewardship. How do we best manage this life God has given us and how do we go to task to accomplish His will for our lives?

The Results of the Restrictions of Tackling Life Alone

Exodus 18:17–18 “17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 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.”

Well, we quickly can surmise that if what Moses was doing was not good, then we must deduce that it was bad.

Jethro stated it was bad for a couple of reasons. Firstly, you will experience burn out and frustration because you will never feel satisfaction that you have completed the task. Furthermore, the people are frustrated because they can not find answers and their lives are in a holding pattern, losing such productive time in other areas with no answers in sight. The matter is a lose-lose situation. Jethro stated the responsibility is too great, there is not enough of you to go around and something will have to give if you continue to operate in this fashion.

You will either be divorced. You will never spend time with your wife. You will lose your kids to the world because you will not be able to fulfill your fatherly responsibilities of rearing your children.

There will be no way that you can be in a proactive state to lead the people of Israel and be a visionary for being to fatigued with simply going through the motions. You will be living a life of mere existence.

You are living a life that can’t see the forest for the trees.

Moses was anguished over the reality that he was going to task alone as evidenced in Numbers 11:10-15.

Numbers 11:10–15 (NKJV)

10 Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!”

As we transition to point three, The Lord gave Moses an answer in the following verses to his anguish.

Numbers 11:16–17 “16 So the Lord said to Moses: “Gather to Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tabernacle of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.”

The Reward of Recruitment & Regeneration for Transformation

Exodus 18:19–22 “19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 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. 21 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. 22 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.”

Counsel

I will give you advise. I want to help you devise a plan. Moses never lost sight of his role and responsibility. He failed to reflect upon the most proactive manner in which making it happen.

Jethro stated to Moses, Moses, you still deal with the large cases, but I want you to multiply yourself through others to complete the task at hand.

Write that down please:

I want you to multiply yourself through others.

Moses, consider living a proactive life rather than a reactive life and invest in others to help with the task.

Jethro was going to offer up a plan as to how Moses could recruit and rejuvenate both his soul and the soul of the people by creating an atmosphere that others shared the load and the issues were addressed more expediently and efficiently.

You could say at this point that this is an all out leadership training. And I would say you are correct. Let’s transition it at this point to a Lordship training.

What exactly did Jethro tell Moses?

In verse 21:

Exodus 18:21 “21 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.”

There have been several books written from the Jethro Principle concept. I reference:

The Jethro Principle: Effective Leadership for Ministry and Business by David Eakin explores the timeless leadership advice given by Jethro to Moses in Exodus 18:13-27. Eakin, with over three decades of experience in leadership training and organizational development, demonstrates how Jethro’s counsel remains relevant in today’s fast-paced world, both in ministry and business. The book emphasizes the importance of delegation, organizational structure, and personal accountability, showing how leaders can avoid burnout by empowering others and focusing on their most critical responsibilities.

Doug Powe writes in his article “Five Leadership Insights from Jethro”

Moses:

It’s not about you

Instruct the people

Build a team

Trust the team

Listen to good advice

I want to spend the rest of our time discussing the Jethro principle to apply leadership, yes, but lordship living. In this case, Jethro was instructed to find men of character, willing and able men, men of integrity, men that were not greedy or covetous, but God fearing Men and select them and invest in their lives teaching them the statutes, ordinances and judgments that I use given of God to judicially govern the people. We know this style of leadership 3,500 years later is applied to our judicial system, to corporate life and to church life.

Today, according to how large the organization, we use leadership that is over a local territory, a district territory, a regional territory, and the national leader. The concept is to multiply yourself through others.

Now, at this point you would ask me, how is such a message applicable to my stage of life?

How many of you have ever made this statement?

“It is easier if I do it myself.”

Moses took Jethro’s advice and he found capable men that he recruited and he began to invest in them. He begin to spend time with them pouring into them his knowledge of the law.

Why am I providing this much background and detail? I want you to apply the principle to your life.

When you are burning the candle from can to can’t, I simply ask you the question, are you going it alone? Who have you recruited and invested in to make the task easier? And, let’s be honest. In the short run, most times it is easier for us to go ahead and do the task ourselves. But, simply put, how many people around you need someone to invest in them? How many children and grandchildren need you to show patience and allow them to help you with something or to assist with a learning opportunity? How many neighbors do you need to call on to help with cutting down a tree or cooking for a large group, not because it is deemed necessary that you recruit them for help, but that you invest in someone else besides yourself.

Dearly beloved, I am saying that when you recruit others to help, you are taking time to build a relationship and they do help, but you and the Holy Spirit may be leading them to heaven.

When You Recruit Someone to Help, You may have an Opportunity to Point Someone to Heaven.

Elisha Recruits Elijah in 1 Kings 19:19-21.

Story of God meeting Elijah in the cave.

1 Kings 19:19–21 NKJV

19 So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

Elijah threw his mantle, his outer garment over Elisha. I want to cover you over in the days ahead. I want to pour myself into you and offer mentoring, protection, and vision.

Notice the patience he showed as he went back to kiss loved ones. But notice the picture of when we place our mantles on someone else. The immediate maturity and progression as he set out on the journey.

Everything that was important took a back seat to the new life that Elijah would introduce Elishah to of being a prophet of God.

1 Kings 19:21 “21 So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”

We are reading a reader’s digest version of a changed life in immediacy of the contact of one man investing in the life of another.

Moses Recruits Joshua Numbers 27:18-23

Paul recruited Timothy Acts 16:1-3

May I submit to you that there are many occasions that I call you to task on a matter, not because I am not capable of doing the task, but I want to engage you. I want you to feel vested in God’s church here at Mt Zion. I want you to fill apart of belonging and that you have purpose, you have identity, you have your area of expertise and to cause you to feel valued.

Quick Life Groups lesson real quick. You want to have a great life group? Recruit someone over the coffee. Recruit someone to hand out the material for a new class attendee. Have a greeter posted at the door 10 minutes before class. Have one person assigned to organize the socials. Have one person take the roll?

Why is that important? I think I listed 6 or 7 roles in that life groups class. Inn theory that action should insure that 6 to 7 people will be in attendance because they have a responsibility to fulfill. They feel needed. They feel responsible.

How many grand kids and great grand kids need to help in the kitchen with grandmother or ride on the lawnmower with granddaddy so that you have opportunities to talk about Jesus.

Every opportunity you are offered that you recruit, you may be the one God uses to bring about a regenerative life.

As I close, lets make some considerations. Had the Lord not invested in Paul that invested in Timothy and among countless others built the early church, where would you be today. Had Jesus not invested in twelve ordinary men to do the extraordinary in their lives, where would we be today.

Consider this. Someone recruited you. Someone discipled and invested in you. Someone shared Jesus with you and I hope you have never been the same since.