Exodus 18
Jethro, priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for Israel and how He had delivered them from Egypt. So, together with Moses’ wife and his two sons who had been living with him, he set off to where Moses was camped near the mountain of God.
There, he heard first hand from Moses himself, all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them. And Jethro was delighted to hear about it all.
Though he previously had mentally known that the God of Israel was the supreme God, Jethro testified that he now knew through hearing of Moses’ experiences with Him, that the LORD was greater than all other gods, because He had done this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly. He followed his verbal praise with the offering of sacrifices to the LORD there.
It must have been a great reunion for Moses and his wife and sons and for his father in law as well as a wonderful time of praise and worship. Like any good father in law, Jethro also wanted to see what his son in law did each day and so, the next day Jethro accompanied Moses as he took his seat to serve as judge for all the people. The people stood before Moses from morning till evening, explaining their problems and disputes, and waiting while Moses made judgments regarding them.
As Jethro watched, he must have noticed the emotional and physical toll this was taking on his son in law and on the people, and so he questioned the wisdom of it. He said to Moses, “What you’re doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. (In other words, you’ll die before your time and deprive the people of justice as well.) The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” In our day we would say that Jethro realized Moses was in danger of burnout if he didn’t find some other way of handling the issues people brought before him.
So he gave Moses some advice. He said, “Listen now to me. . . and may God be with you.” I’m thinking that Jethro was praying that Moses would know God’s will and have His discernment, as he listened to his father in law’s advice, to know indeed whether this was God’s design, or just Jethro’s idea.
Jethro went on with his “Here’s what I think you should do” advice (v. 19-23):
“You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to Him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you. . .that will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
Jethro helped Moses to refine God’s mission for him by suggesting where it was that Moses should concentrate his gifts and efforts and where he needed to choose others to come alongside. To be more effective, Jethro suggested that Moses do the following:
- Moses was to act as intercessor between the people and God and seek His will for them v. 19
- He was to be their teacher – communicating to them God’s decrees and laws v. 20
- Moses was to SHOW them the way to live by being an example of godliness and of godly leadership v. 20
- And he was to choose other godly men to carry on the work of judging disputes v. 21
Jethro suggested that if Moses took his advice, as God so led, then he would be able to stand the strain of his many responsibilities and the people would go home satisfied.
Jethro’s desire that Moses should hear his advice, and then do what GOD led him to do, must have seemed like God’s own wisdom to Moses, because he did everything his father in law said.
Because I had been thinking and praying about what God’s mission for me might be at this time in my life, as soon as I read this account between Jethro and Moses, I thought, “Lord, that is MY mission statement!”. I didn’t even need to wonder “what next”, because the mission Jethro laid out for Moses, according to God’s will, the Lord has already been working in my life.
Teaching the Bible has been my God given passion and mission for years now and it is THE THING that truly fulfills me like nothing else. I want so much for other women to catch the excitement of the living and practical nature of God’s Word and the way it draws us deeper into relationship with Him, and changes us!
In my mind and life intercession and teaching have always gone hand in hand. Not always knowing my audience and what’s going on in their lives has meant that I need to be in prayer for God’s wisdom and discernment and direction as I prepare so that I teach HIS message, and apply it in ways that will address the audience.
Unlike Moses, I’m not in danger of burning out from these responsibilities, but I am getting older, so I believe the Lord is redirecting my focus and refining the passions He has given me.
I know I’ve shared before the poem by Roy Lessin entitled, “Just Think”. I’ll share it again now because it was one of the things the Lord used to help me think beyond NOW to the future when the next generation takes over.
“Just Think”
Just think, you’re here not by chance, but by God’s choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else – you are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can’t give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history
to fulfill His special purpose for THIS generation.
When Jethro told Moses to show the Israelites the way to live – in other words, to be an example to them, of godliness and of godly leadership, and to choose others to carry on the work, God spoke to MY heart. I believe His mission for me at this time of life is to teach the next generation of women the how to’s of teaching God’s Word, to model godliness and godly Christian leadership, and to intercede WITH those whom He has chosen to be the future teachers and leaders – so that they will be better equipped to carry on the work.
Occasionally, I might still say “yes” to serving at the senior’s luncheon, or working at VBS, or serving in the nursery, but I will say “no” to long term or demanding ministry opportunities that would take me away from the mission I believe God has given me.
So, until the Lord writes me a new mission statement, my mission for now, and the place where I will concentrate my ministry efforts, will be:
As God is with me, to intercede for others, to teach God’s Word, to be an example of godliness and godly leadership, and to choose and train others to carry on God’s work.
So, what do you think is God’s mission for you at this time in your life?
What is YOUR passion? Teaching, serving, administering God’s mercy, administration, leadership, giving? Write down those things that make you passionate.
To whom will you minister? What is the people group the Lord has laid on your heart? Children, young adults, youth, the elderly, women, men, the disabled, widows?
Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom He gave to Moses through Jethro so that you might know His will and purpose for you in His kingdom. Ask Him to give you His mission statement and then get busy doing it!
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