Listening to Wisdom

Exodus 18:13-27

-Wisdom is the key to Faithful and Fruitful Living

The story is told of Franklin Roosevelt, who often endured long receiving lines at the White House. He complained that no one really paid any attention to what was said. One day, during a reception, he decided to try an experiment. To each person who passed down the line and shook his hand, he murmured, "I murdered my grandmother this morning." The guests responded with phrases like, "Marvelous! Keep up the good work. We are proud of you. God bless you, sir." It was not till the end of the line, while greeting the ambassador from Bolivia, that his words were actually heard. Nonplussed, the ambassador leaned over and whispered, "I'm sure she had it coming."

I. We Need Wisdom vv. 13-16

In our passage this morning, Moses is facing a problem, but he doesn’t quite realize it

There are a bunch of people who are standing around waiting on Moses to issue judgments for them

On the one hand, this is exactly the way that it ought to be; the people recognize Moses’s authority and they are trusting in their leader

However, there are real problems with it

Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law, can see what Moses cannot

Sometimes, fresh eyes are perceptive

I can’t imagine that Moses wants his father-in-law to tell him what to do, but he desperately needs someone who can see what he cannot

Think about the situation:

People are coming to Moses because he is responsible for making God’s will and wisdom known to them: They need wisdom

However, Moses is missing the wisdom of God for himself: He needs wisdom as much as they do!

We all need God’s wisdom!

Proverbs 3:13–18

[13] Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

[14] for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

[15] She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

[16] Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

[18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed. (ESV)

II. Wisdom Seeks the Good vv. 17-20

Next, we see that wisdom seeks a good outcome

Jethro points out the problem with the system:

It is not good!

It is wearing out the people, because they are tired of waiting and are losing their ability to be productive

It is wearing out Moses, because it is far more than he can reasonably bear

It is not good and it is not good for anybody

Something has to change:

The application of a wise solution to this problem is going to help everybody win:

Moses will have some relief from the tasks that are dominating his time

The people will have some relief because they will not spend all of their time waiting for Moses

Moses’s responsibility has not changed, but his approach must

This new application of wisdom may be different, a little scary, and out of Moses’s control

However, it is for good and Moses must understand it that way

We have to consider wisdom this way: it is the pursuit of God’s best in keeping with God’s will, God’s character, and God’s world

Automaker Henry Ford asked electrical genius Charlie Steinmetz to build the generators for his factory. One day the generators ground to a halt, and the repairmen couldn't find the problem.  So Ford called Steinmetz, who tinkered with the machines for a few hours and then threw the switch. The generators whirred to life--but Ford got a bill for $10,000 from Steinmetz.  Flabbergasted, the rather tightfisted car maker inquired why the bill was so high. 

Steinmetz's reply: For tinkering with the  generators, $10. For knowing where to tinker, $9,990. Ford paid the bill. 

III. Wisdom Shares the Load vv. 21-23

What is the wisdom from Jethro?

It is not a call to abdicate his responsibility

It is an invitation to share the responsibility

The best way for Moses to bless both himself and the people will be to enlist leaders who will serve under his leadership

This is a release of my ego and image as a leader

This is a release of my control as a leader

Who?

Men who are Able- they are marked by capability

Men who Fear God- they are marked by character

They are trustworthy

They hate bribery

What?

They will make judgments for a group of people who are under their care

Their authority to make judgments will be limited to smaller matters that require less understanding and authority

Why?

This pathway will allow Moses to endure the task of leadership

This pathway will allow the people to complete their journey to the Promised Land

This pathway will prepare future leaders!

Imagine a brilliant symphony conductor who decides that, instead of directing, he wants to play the violin, blow the trumpet, and bang the cymbals all at the same time. Even if he is incredibly talented, the result will be noise. The conductor's job is not to play every instrument, but to draw out the best from every musician on the stage.

Ephesians 4:11–12

[11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (ESV)

IV. Wisdom Requires Action vv. 24-27

Finally, and in some ways, most critically, we see Moses’s response:

Moses listens to his father-in-law

He does what he says

I think we miss this:

Sometimes we seek wisdom, sometimes we even consider it, occasionally we believe it

However, we never make it to the point of obedience

We cannot receive the blessings of wisdom until we follow it!

We don’t really believe the truth of God’s Word until we begin to walk in it.

When the massive Hurricane Charley slammed into Florida in 2004 with 145 mile per hour winds, it destroyed more than 12,000 homes. But a later study by a group of insurance companies found that almost all of those homes had something in common—they had been built prior to 2001. In that year, a strict new building code was adopted which required homes to be strengthened to withstand hurricane force winds.

Jeff Burton, building code manager for the Institute for Business and Home Safety said, “There is very, very strong evidence that buildings built under the 2001 code that were built properly and inspected…fared much, much better than buildings that were built prior. The building code, as it exists today did its job.” There is a reason for the building code, and those who follow it find that it works. The same is true for the Word of God.

-Where do you need God’s wisdom? Are you seeking it?

-What is disobedience costing you?

-Who can you share your burden with?

-How do you need to obey God’s Word?