Exodus 18:13-27

¹³ The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, then he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit apart, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” ¹⁵ And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people are coming to me to inquire of God; ¹⁶ when they have a case, they come to me and I decide between one man and his companion, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” ¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not right. ¹⁸ You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too much for you. You are not able to do it alone. ¹⁹ Now listen to my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, ²⁰ and you should warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. ²¹ Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ²² And let them judge the people at all times. Every great case they shall bring to you, but any small case they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. ²³ If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” ²⁴ So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. ²⁵ Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. ²⁶ And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. ²⁷ Then Moses let his father-in-law leave, and he went back to his own country.

new structure

Jethro’s advice showed wisdom because Moses could not have continued to serve as judge over every situation for the people. It was clear that an eldership had already existed (12). But Moses had not taken advantage of the leaders he already had. Jethro pointed out that appointing judges would free him to deal with major cases, and to keep teaching the laws of God. It was wise advice, and it constituted the final break with Egypt, because Moses had apparently been following Egyptian culture in his judgment practices. The new kingdom will require a new structure.

Sharing the load is not easy when it comes to guiding people spiritually. But there is wisdom in allowing the Holy Spirit to work through others. It can get messy, because other leaders will not respond the way you would, and it is so tempting to micromanage everything. But that only leads to frustration and burnout. Fortunately, Moses’ father-in-law saw that potential in his situation, so gave him some godly advice. To Moses’ credit, he followed it, which freed him to focus on the next major ministry the LORD was leading him into – the ministry of proclaiming the new rules for the covenant community.

LORD, give us the wisdom to share the load. Give us faith to trust your Holy Spirit to work through others, as well as ourselves.