It Seemed Right

Exodus 18:1-27

Theme: Jethro visits Moses

Key verse: v.5

27 verses; 760 words

Grade level: 11.0

Outline:

I. The Welcome Of Moses. Vs.1-12

II. The Wisdom Of Jethro. Vs.13-27

Most times well intended people are just that: well intended.

Moses was a man called of God (Exodus 3). Every instance prior to this one when we see Moses troubled he goes to the Lord. The Lord speaks to Moses what He wants done and how. Moses instructs the people.

Notice these verses:

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

Notice how these COMPONENTS cause the wrong outcome:

I. The Compromised Visitor. vs.1-6

II. The Correct Leader. vs.7-12

III. The Corrupt Advice. vs.13-27

A working leader. v.13

An observing visitor. vs.14-16

A corrupt advisor. vs.17-27

The world’s advice. vs.17-22

v.17 - Jethro’s criticism (vs. 17) is a perfect statement of modern “situation ethics”. Not one word is said about the thing being “right” or “wrong”; observe: “the thing...is not good.”

v.19 - “I will give thee counsel” (vs. 19). What in blazes would a man need with the counsel of a “father-in-law” (see comments under vs. 6) when God talked directly to the man whenever He wanted to communicate (Deuteronomy 34:10).

The way we know. v.23

23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

The way it went. vs.24-27

v.25 - “And Moses chose able men out of all Israel” (vs. 25). How able did they turn out? Numbers 16:1–12.

Conclusion:

This group became the Sanhedrin council. (Matthew 23:1-2)

They would be the ones that crucified the Lord Jesus Christ.