It's Better To Labor Together

It’s Better To Labor Together

Exodus 18:13-27

Introduction

There is always a great deal of work to be done for the Lord. God would never have us to to handle the work all on our own! God often sends those who give council and co-labor with us to make the load more manageable.

We should never be overly confident to the fault of turning away valuable council from those whom God sends to help us.

However, with every thread of council received, it must be taken to God for approval.

1) There Is Work To Be Done

While on their journey to Mt. Sinai, Moses runs into many issues among the people. This required proper judgement to resolve all issues.

Like any person who notices the unattended work, Moses just jumps in and gets to work.

We have to at least admire Moses for his grit!

There is however no evidence in scripture of God giving Moses direct instruction on resolving this issue. Neither is there evidence showing Moses consulting God on how to resolve the issues.

Notice verses 13-16

Illustration: It is like jumping in a boat without any oars or rudder. You will eventually find yourself being overcome by the current and never make it over to the other side.

Illustration: It is like trying to move a cruise ship across the Atlantic with a trolling motor.

(v15) The work to be done was of the imperative!

The people wanted to know God’s mind on how to properly resolve their life’s issues.

Moses heart was the people’s heart to be settled on God’s heart.

2) There Is Council For The Work

QUESTION — Has anyone ever given you solid truthful advice, but you didn’t like what it was?

That is exactly the kind of advise Jethro gave Moses; IT WON’T WORK & YOU ARE TOO WEAK! (vv17-18)

Notice the warning Jethro gave Moses (v17)

Notice the far sightedness of Jethro.

Illustration: You can’t see the forest for the TREES

Moses was too near sighted to see the tittle-wave that was soon approaching.

We should never settle for what allows us to hobble over the finish line just too say, “I did it all on my own!”

Notice Jethro’s wise council.....

The grand purpose is for God to have the final say in all matters and for the people to know the way they should live and work.

Choose out men of which meet a specific criteria (will come to this in a moment)

LISTEN.....

There is human weakness in ALL MEN!

Matthew 26:12 “12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.”

John 16:12 “12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.”

1 Cor. 3:2 “2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

LISTEN.....

One thing I have valued most in my life is WISE COUNCIL.

Prov. 11:14 “14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”

Prov. 12:15 “15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.”

Prov. 13:10 “10 Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.”

Prov. 15:22 “22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counsellers they are established.”

3) Workers Must Be Godly

Here is what the advice WAS NOT.....

Just make an announcement and whom ever steps up, plug them in.

I can get any warm body to fill a position and follow instructions.

The work of God is FAR MORE VALUABLE than to just plug anyone in.

NOTICE THE CRITERIA......(v21)

A GODLY FEAR

Jonah 1:9 “9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.”

Job 1:8 “8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

Acts 9:31 “31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

PERSONAL INTEGRITY

Prov. 11:3 “3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: But the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.”

Prov. 19:1 “1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.”

PERSONAL FIDELITY

Faithful and without fault

Dan. 6:4 “4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

The calling to CO-LABOR is a thread throughout scripture.

Ex. 17:12 “12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Matt. 18:19 “19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”

Matt. 2:3 “3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.”

DON’T MISS THIS (verse 23)

No matter the advice and from whom you get it from, GOD MUST HAVE THE FINAL SAY!!!