Exodus 18 - “Godly Leadership”
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Opening Statement - Moses is running a one-man ministry…and it’s going GREAT for now…but if he fails, the whole thing fails.
Opening Background - Jethro, Moses’ highly-esteemed father-in-law will arrive on the scene and point out some obvious flaws.
Moses is doing all the ministry work all by himself.
He’s the president, the judge, the police, the pastor, the counselor, etc.
Thankfully, Jethro will point out, “If you don’t take care of this problem, you’re gonna burn out. And ALL of God’s people will suffer…”
Great tragedy will occur for God’s people if Moses burns out.
God will give Heavenly Wisdom through His servant Jethro, on how to have “Godly Leadership”
Relevance to CCB -
A ministry is not for one person to run it all, and everyone else to simply participate.
Great tragedy will occur if that one person burns out.
That one leader NEEDS help from others.
But — people NEED TO BE TRAINED HOW TO HELP.
If they help without training, great tragedy will occur.
Thankfully God’s faithfulness AGAIN provides Moses a solution to the problem, and a solution all who come after him and find themselves in positions of leadership.
God’s solution will help with CHURCH leadership.
And it will help with BUSINESS leadership as well.
Message
Let’s Pray
Read along (vv. 1 - 12) “Family Reunion”
Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law
Whom Moses met after he ran from Egypt after killing the Egyptian taskmaster.
Moses first met, protected and helped Jethro’s daughters (shepherdesses) at the well, then Jethro said “Where is this man? Bring him here!” (Ex 2:16-20)
Moses then married Zipporah, Jethro’s daughter and had two sons.
Also known as Reuel (Ex 2:18)
the priest of Midian - the question, “was he a true believer?” or a pagan?
We know that in (vv. 11-12) he believes and worships the true God
So if he wasn’t a true believer before, he is now.
Jethro was a descendant of Abraham, through Keturah because Midian was a son of Keturah’s.
Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
There was probably a good chance that Jethro had a good understanding of God, passed down through Keturah —> Midian.
Plus, Moses as his son-in-law would have only reinforced his faith.
It’s highly likely that during the 40 years of Moses living with Jethro, that they worshipped the Lord together.
Nevertheless, Jethro had heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. Moses’ father-in-law had been following Moses’ progress.
(vv. 3-6) Jethro was returning Moses’ wife and two sons. Why were they not with Moses?
Two possibilities -
Moses sent them back before the Exodus scenario for their protection from Egypt?
There are times, when ministry has us geographically separated.
I think of deployments.
Billy Graham would be separated for months on end at times when his kids were little.
What about missions trips.
They crossed the Red Sea with Moses and then went home?
I think this is most logical, because
It’s closer to Midian (look at Marah, Elim, Rephidim compared to Land of Midian)
Moses couldn’t personally tell Jethro the news
But his wife and sons could go back home to share the news and invite Jethro to come join them in Rephidim
Which he will.
This is the first time we learn of Moses’ second son’s name.
Gershom - “I have been a stranger (foreigner) in a strange land” -
Eliezer - “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh”
Zac’s translation - “My son’s names are (1) I’m in over my head, (2) but God is good!
(v. 6) Jethro sent a messenger ahead of him to inform Moses of his arrival (messengers were the mail service of their day)
(v. 7) This is how we all greet our “in-laws” So Moses went out to meet His father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent.
They obviously had a good relationship with each other.
What’s a little concerning to me is, what about Moses greeting his wife and sons?
Maybe, Moses had only not seen them for a matter of weeks but his father-in-law for a matter of a few years?
What is most amazing to me about this, is that Moses is the leader of a nation, and yet he esteemed a man with a fraction of the social status.
Moses esteemed others more highly than himself. Phil 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Moses, although a mighty leader, was still a humble man. Num 12:3
(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)
Moses can still be taught (we’ll see in vv. 13-27)
May we all take lessons from Moses, that regardless of how “great” your responsibility may be, you should NEVER act better than other people.
And instead of being treated like a celebrity, you should instead treat others like they are the celebrity.
He who humbles himself will be exalted, but he who exalts himself will be humbled.
(v. 8) And Moses recounted the story of what brought them to this point! EXCITEMENT….ELECTRIFYING!!
I think of people like Pastor Mark Galvan (CC Lompoc, CA)… like a father-in-law
I wasn’t directly raised up under Pastor Mark, but somehow, i’ve managed to be connected to his flock here in Bluffton, Savannah, and Charleston…
And so when he visits (in November), it’s gonna be like, “Hey Pastor Mark,
all the hardship that had come upon then on the way - here are the trials and tribulations we faced as a church
and how the Lord had delivered them - but here is what God did about it? Isn’t He great!!
And the net result has been, this flock is more tested, more faithful, and prepared more now then ever for whatever the Lord has for us next!?!?!
Jethro’s response to hearing this testimony
(vv. 9-10) Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel
He was already intimately familiar with Pharaoh’s antisemitism, Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh…
(v. 11) Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods - could be read like “Now I believe in God, and not pagan idols anymore” or “wow, God is really great isn’t He?” Consistent with earlier, I believe the latter.
Whether he believed before or not…
I think it’s clear that he believes now, by how he:
(v. 12) first sacrifices to God…
second communes with God’s people.
His priorities are straight. God is first, Man is second.
The Great Commandment - Love God, Love fellow Man.
Read along (vv. 13 - 27) “Work Smarter Not Harder”
(v. 13) on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people - Moses is a hard worker
He didn’t take a day or a week off, which would have been perfectly acceptable.
Hard workers (the same as truly committed people) are lacking in todays culture.
If you want to easily set yourself apart from others, be a hard worker…show die hard commitment to the cause.
(v. 13b) and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening - Three words for you: Department of Motor Vehicles.
Sounds miserable, doesn’t it? Drudgery, exhausting!!
(v. 14) What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit? Jethro saw a problem that Moses didn’t see…maybe because he was too close to the problem.
(v. 15) Moses replies with why he’s doing this (“this is God’s work” Jethro…don’t you see it?) The people come to me to inquire of God.
(v. 16) When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statues of God and His laws.”
“A Difficulty” may sound like -
Moses, my kids are staying out too late watching all the stars and wont wake up for school on time! Moses, my neighbor stole my sheep! Moses, my husband snores and wakes up the people in the tent next door (Focht)! Moses this, Moses that, Moses the other…
(v. 16b) What’s awesome is Moses’ methodology: I make known the statutes of God and His laws -
Moses simply applies God’s Word to their scenario!
At this time, Moses (author of the first five books) didn’t have a Bible yet.
(1) I see a foreshadowing here of God’s Laws, which will come in the next story (Ex 19-20)
(2) God’s statutes/laws existed BEFORE the Ten Commandments (otherwise how could Moses make them known?)
Abraham obeyed God’s statutes/commandments
because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”
Abraham was considered righteous (saved) by his faith.
This also shows that the Law (religion) was never what saved people.
It was always by Grace thru Faith in Christ.
They had faith looking FORWARD to Christ.
We have faith looking BACK to Christ.
(vv. 17-18) Jethro 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.
Moses is “burning his candle at both ends, and in the middle.” He was on the fast-track to burnout.
SOME respected Bible teachers teach that Moses WAS doing the right thing by judging every case, and that Jethro was giving him worldly wisdom. These teachers also imply that God would supernaturally empower Moses to “rise to the occasion” and that all he needed to do was to trust God.
To their point,
“God’s ways are not man’s ways” (Is 55:8-9), and we need to be discerning in using methods of man, especially in ministry.
If you’re going to err, best to err by relying on God more than self.
But that said, sometimes I think God actually does want us to use our own brains, and our own natural means to solve problems. It just takes discernment to decide.
I believe that God was giving Moses a “natural” solution from Jethro instead of a “supernatural” one this time…. Here’s why:
(1) ITS TWO MILLION PEOPLE!!!
Is Moses the only qualified spiritual leader? Can he not raise up a few more to help out?
Why for SOME mega-churches do satellite campuses have to pipe-in the “master teacher” instead of raising up pastors to teach their own flocks? Are no other pastor-candidates able to do the job of pastor? Or has God only raised up “one AMAZING “star” of a pastor?” Who everyone worships…
(2) Jethro’s advice (as a believer) would tend to be from the Lord, not man.
Can God not speak through other people in the church?
The pastor is not the universal, Bible know-it-all… Eph 4:16-17 says the body is knit together by what every joint (every person) supplies…and that every part does its share, and causes growth of the body.
(3) God will later confirm this method -
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. 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.
(v. 4) Jethro tells Moses to pray about it (cf. v. 23).
Specific Advice
(v. 19) Stand before God for the people - Moses should bring the most difficult matters to God. Others will solve the easier matters.
Stand before God for the people - Pray FOR the people (that’s arguably the MOST important job for the ministry leader).
(v. 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
RAISE up others to learn to apply the Bible for themselves.
Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for the rest of his life.
Would you rather ME explain each chapter to you, or LEARN for yourself how to best read, understand, and apply the Bible…
Announce ICM Inductive Bible Study - Jan 22-24th.
This will help you understand the Bible for your own personal life.
This is how any Bible teacher in our church should teach: small groups, from the pulpit, or special events.
If you think you might have a “teaching ministry,” you NEED to be there.
This is a BIG deal. You don’t want to miss this. We will open up sign-ups soon and there will be a cost-per-seat.
We will advertise this to the community as well as an outreach opportunity.
I anticipate max participation.
(v. 21) Good elder selection criteria - Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness -
able men - they can do what you’re doing Moses.
Understand and Apply the Bible to people’s situations.
fear God - if they are more fearful from offending men then God…they cannot be an elder.
If a man can be bought/bribed with tithes, flatter/compliments, or promised loyalty…they he should not be an elder.
You must be willing to do what is right, NO MATTER the cost.
This shows trust in God above men.
of truth - they need to know the Word (the Truth)
Not just academically, but by experience.
hating covetousness - hate is a strong word, but for one man to be be infatuated to get something that belongs to another (his wife, his money, his position) is obviously a recipe for disaster.
Hierarchical Organization - (v. 21b) place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Ten is the smallest building block.
Small groups ARE important for intimacy, vulnerability/trust, and accountability.
I want CCB to have small groups that ANYONE who attends our church has easy access to.
Four leaders would have to be incapable of solving your problem before making it to Moses.
(v. 22) Delegation - (v. 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.
He’s saying to Moses, “work smarter, not harder.”
The answer to every problem is not “hit it with a bigger hammer”
D.L. Moody said - “I would rather get 10 men to do the work, than do the work of 10 men.”
This frees Moses up to focus on “bigger problems.” (v. 22b) So it will be easier for you
It is (and I think should be) intimidating to give another person spiritual advice, knowing that it could change their life and you bear some level of spiritual accountability.
But (1) if you’re sticking to an accurate application of the Word of God, the responsibility is not on you, its on the God.
(2) Its not that hard to help people with the routine things of the Word of God.
(v. 23) If you do this thing, and God so commands you - Jethro isn’t just saying “take my word for it.” He’s encouraging Moses to seek God about this.
then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace - Christianity is a marathon, not a sprint.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
We don’t want to be a flash in a pan — a big crowd, with flashy gimmicks, luring people in with spiritual candy…
It’s a marathon. Our Logo is a “Live Oak Tree” for a reason. Slow, but solid growth. And when grown, very strong against “storms.”
We want to endure to the end. So that we can all say,
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
What was ministry worth if we can’t say that we finished the race?
(vv. 24-25) Then Moses did heed this advice.
Moses became the “supreme court”
Small cases were handled at lower levels.
(v. 27) Jethro departed
Closing
Closure - The next story is where God’s commandments will be given to Moses for the people.
They wont be solely communicated verbally anymore.
Closing Application -
There’s a tension in supernatural vs. natural problem solving. Let it remain a tension and seek discernment.
Don’t dismiss “natural” means to solve a problem, just let the Lord lead you in that.
We need to teach others to learn to read, study, and apply the Bible for themselves.
We need to break down in small groups to really grow in our faith.
That every part of the body is involved in the whole..
Urge to Action - This chapter “came off” like self-help advice. But every chapter ultimately points back to Christ.
The sole purpose of Godly leadership is not so that we can become great leaders
But to grow in our ability as a church body to be more effective and efficient in “making known the statues of God (God’s Word) to the world around us”
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among up, and His name was Jesus Christ.
It’s to organize around the sole purpose for people to believe in, become equipped as saints, and to deploy to the spiritual war around us.
Let’s Pray
Benediction
