Serving the Lord isn't a one man show

Introduction

Growing up I had the blessing of observing both my father and godfather in ministry. My godfather was pastor and my father was first a deacon, and later a minister. My father is now a pastor in Palm Coast, FL. One thing that stands out to me is the multiple hats that were worn by both. They often had to be preacher, teacher, counselor, treasurer, all administrator, all while being husbands and fathers. They was always a need even if the physical strength wasn’t there. Yet the pastor / elder shouldn’t have to bear so much responsibility alone. In fact they weren’t supposed to. The sad reality is that when too much is put on a pastor, something will be neglected. It may not happen in the short term, but long term the pastor and the people will suffer. This was a lesson Moses needed to learn. This is what we will explore today.

Background

In the Ancient Near East there was often a delegation of authority. The king was often the top legislator and supreme judge. There would be officials under him, like provincial governors, and officials under them. The king the final say when matters needed or were brought to his attention. This was because ANE kings were usually considered ‘gods’ themselves and representatives of the ‘gods’.[1] Israel was different of course. It only had one God, the one true God, Yahweh. Moses was indeed his chief representative. Yet what needed to be done for Israel was bigger than Moses could handle. We are grateful that for his and Israel’s sake, there was wise counsel available to him.

Exposition

Verses 13 - 16: The next event in this chapter deals with the delegation of authority. Until now there hasn’t been much. Joshua in the prior chapter was placed in charge of Israel’s military defense against Amalek. Aaron has been Moses’s right hand man, but it has been Moses himself as the intermediary between God and the people. Therefore he alone was deciding disputes. This wasn’t uncommon in the ANE. Douglas Stuart in his commentary on Exodus notes the following about such civil leaders: “In the ancient Near East as in many parts of the world still today, the job of judging civil and criminal disputes goes along with a leadership position. To be a political or military leader was also to be a judicial leader, required to render decisions in cases of controversy.”[2] In a footnote he adds: “This remains so even in modern Western nations with established judiciary systems, in such cases as crimes on board a ship (in which the captain acts as a judge) or in military units (where the commanding officer has a judicial role) or among embassy staffs in foreign countries (where the senior diplomat acts as judge). Aboard nuclear submarines, with their long, submerged voyages, the captain may render legal decisions that apply for months before any other military jurisdiction can be consulted.”[3] In our situation here, given the enormous Israelite population, such a system is neither efficient or helpful. This is another issue here that we must address. What actually are the statues and laws of God Moses is referring to? We know that formal giving of the covenant with its various law categories come later. This doesn’t mean the LORD couldn’t reveal things to Moses as needed for the people to live holy while in the wilderness.

Verses 17 - 18: Jethro sees this and realizes the harm being done. Moses has other responsibilities as leader that he won’t be able to do if he has to be the sole judge. Jethro steps up and provides some much needed words of wisdom. He highlights the reality that serving the people of God in leadership can’t be a one man show. There is no way he would be able to adequately address all the disputes of all those whom come before him. What about ones that require major consideration or going to the LORD? For many this would mean delayed justice, which can sometimes mean denied justice.The current path will only lead to burnout, ultimately harming Moses and Israel. This raises two questions that are worth considering for a moment. This first is why he hasn’t done this before? The second is why didn’t the LORD instruct in this way until now.

It could be that he never gave it any thought. All this time God dealt with him solely. The people also knew him as God’s representative so it was only natural for them to want to turn to him with their issues. There is no sense in the text that Moses had an inflated view of himself. Perhaps he thought this is the way it is supposed to be. He needed to do this so it could be done right. Whatever the case, this is not a good way to do things. As to why the LORD hasn’t instructed Moses on this point until now, the simplest answer I can give is because he didn’t. He choose to do so now through Jethro.

Scripture is clear on the blessing of godly counsel. Prov 12:15; 13:10 calls the man who listen to counsel wise. Prov. 19:10 admonishes readers to listen to counsel and accept discipline. Prov 11:14 associates victory with an abundance of counselors.

Verses 19 -20: What is Jethro’s advice? He begins by arguing Moses should continue to function as the chief representative, relaying God’s statues and ordinances to the people and handling some disputes. Yet he shouldn’t do everything.

Verses 21 - 22: Here we have OT requirements for leadership, all of which is repeated in the new. It isn’t just any man that can be Moses’s deputy. Let looks at the requirements:

They are to be men whom fear God - They acknowledge Yahweh’s absolute sovereignty and kingship. He is their LORD and ultimate king whom they seek to please above all else.

They are men of truth - They aren’t known as liars. They are people of integrity unafraid to say what must be said. They do what they say they will do. These would be men of good reputation as a result.

They hate dishonest gain - They won’t be bought off or take bribes. They won’t prosper the wicked at the expense of the poor.

The elders must come from all the people.[3] The selection of leaders wasn’t limited to any kind of ‘elite’ or ‘upper’ class. These leaders live among the people, know them, and care from them.

Lets look at the NT parallels:

They are to be men who fear God - 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:6

They are men of truth - Titus 1:9

They hate dishonest gain - 1 Timothy 3:3, Titus 1:7

Acts 6:2-4 also stresses the importance of delegation and the reality that those delegated to must meet certain criteria. It also highlights that some responsibilities aren’t to be delegated away. This goes to the heart of what Jethro was counseling Moses. Finally, notice what is missing from these qualifications. This is no mention of secular work experience, there level of education, or financial resources. The issues was character not means.

Jethro’s advice continues with the call to delegate some responsibility down to these men. Allow them to share in the burden with you. Major disputes, that is disputes that could impact the whole congregation, are to be reserved for Moses. Everything else should be handled by these lower judges. Practically this would allow for faster, targeted, and more efficient handles of issues while relieving the burden off Moses from being there all day and the people by having to wait on what might be important for them.

Verse 23 - Jethro again makes clear Moses must take his advice to the LORD to seek approval. The best god honoring counsel is still wrong if Spirit doesn’t prompt you to moses in that direction. Moses is not to step out in front of Yahweh. While Jethro is confident that this delegation will be a blessing to all parties involved, he understand that the LORD has the final say.

Verses 24 - 27: While the text is silent as to whether Moses sought the LORD, we can assume that he did. Moses implemented Jethro’s advice, allowing for a more orderly judicial system. Jethro returns to his home.

Practical Application

The Apostle Paul tells us we are all part of one body, each with a role to play (1 Cor. 12:15-26). We can’t all do the same thing. We mustn’t try to do everything. We absolutely shouldn’t stifle the gifts given to the people of God. We must allow them to flourish. This is how the body will prosper. This is how the Spirit of God intended things to operate. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Bibliography

1. Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, pp. 414–415). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

2. Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

3. Philip Graham Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God's Glory, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 485.