
Growth Requires Help
• Series: Exodus
Growth Requires Help Ex 18:13-16 1. We Are Not Made To Bear The Burden Alone In the ancient Near East, as in many parts of the world today, the role of judging civil and criminal disputes often accompanies a position of leadership. To be a political or military leader was also to be a judicial leader, requiring the rendering of decisions in cases of controversy. Moses had presumably been judging the people regularly already, but several complicated cases had likely continued unjudged due to the difficulty of holding court while on the move. Jethro realized that this could not continue indefinitely. His own experience as a Midianite leader may have involved him in regular judging among the Midianites, and it was obvious to him that Moses had overcommitted his time to his judicial role. Moses was not merely a judge. He was a prophet who conveyed God’s will when it was sought. If you want to grow something quickly, do it alone; but if you want to grow something that lasts, you have to do it together. Ex 18:17-21 2. Leadership Is A High Calling Select capable men. Jethro advised Moses to share his responsibilities by giving authority to other godly men. This method would help him improve his work and increase his contributions to God. This wise advice still applies to leadership today. Several qualifications for those who lead God’s people are mentioned in this verse. They must be 1. Capable 2. God-fearing 3. Trustworthy 4. Committed to justice and opposed to dishonest gain. Such leaders will not use their position to get more power, personal recognition, influence, or money. If you do not have high standards, you will not attract high-quality leaders. Ex 18:24-26 3. Listen and Obey Immediately after his conversion, Jethro was able to play a helpful role in Israel by recommending the basic structure of the judicial system. This properly hierarchical arrangement placed Moses at the top of the judicial pyramid as Israel’s “supreme court,” and established inferior courts and judges under his authority. God has given us all the resources we need to accomplish his mission. Are we stewarding it well? What are our transformational moments? 1. Are you trying to do too much on your own? 2. Is God calling you to something greater?