The father-in-law comes to visit

Exodus 18 (Selected Verses)

18 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt…. 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law; he bowed down and kissed him; each asked after the other’s welfare, and they went into the tent. 8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had beset them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in delivering them from the Egyptians….

13 The next day Moses sat as judge for the people, while the people stood around him from morning until evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, ‘What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening?’ 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, ‘Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.’ 17 Moses” father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19 Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you!... 21 You should also look for able individuals among all the people, men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain…22 Let them sit as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every important case to you, but decide every minor case themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people will go to their home in peace.’

24 So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came to see what his son-in-law was up to. The rumours about Moses and the people of Israel would have been everywhere. Jethro was impressed by what God had done in rescuing the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Jethro was not so impressed by the work-life balance that Moses was living. Moses had no time to rest as he dealt with each and every dispute that occurred between individuals in the community. He was the mediator, arbiter, and judge.

Why would there have been disputes among the people of God? First, the people of Israel were free from Egypt and the Egyptian laws, how were they going to live as this new nation? The people asked Moses. Second, they were living as nomadic people, they had not lived in the wilderness in many generations, they were learning how to live in a new context. And third, they were human beings, human beings get into disputes. The disputes were brought to Moses and he heard all the cases.

Jethro had a suggestion, train some people to be mediators in simple cases. The advantage being that people got their disputes settled faster, and spent less time being frustrated with the waiting for Moses to hear the case. The advantage for Moses was that he was less stressed as his workload was reduced.

Jethro suggested three characteristics as essential for those who would be mediators – a. they would fear (be in awe of) God (honouring God was their first priority); b. they were trustworthy; and c. they hated dishonest gain (that is, they would not take bribes and they would seek to act fairly so no one took advantage of another person).

These three characteristics are a good measure of who would be a good leader in any kind of role or responsibility. Would other people describe us as having those traits? 

PRAYER:

God who calls people into places of responsibility, we pray that you would give to our leaders these three traits: to be in awe of You, to be trustworthy, and to not be tempted by the power of money. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.