Exodus 18:1-27 – Caring for One Another and Sharing Responsibilities
Background
After Moses fled Egypt at the age of 40, he spent 40 years in Midian. Under God’s mighty hand, Moses performed great miracles in Egypt so as to release the Israelites from more than 400 years of slavery. He returned to Midian with more than 2 million Israelites. He was 80 years old.
When he was in Midian, Moses married Zipporah, daughter of a Midianite priest called Jethro. Moses was met by Jethro and he was reunited with his wife and two sons, Gershom (a sojourner there) and Eliezer (My God is help).
2. Communal meal (18:10-12)
3. Counsel of Jethro to Moses (18:13-23)
Jethro saw how Moses single-handedly judged among the Israelites and gave him wise advice on how to delegate his heavy responsibilities.
Qualities of able men who can be entrusted with responsibilities
4. Collective Responsibilities (18:24-27)
Moses heeded Jethro’s advice and appointed able men.
As heads over the people:
Chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
Reflections
The Jethro Principle
Teach and warn about God’s truths (v 20)
Look for able men to handle small matters (v21)
Personally handle great matters (v22)
The Jethro Principle has these modern management concepts:
Thinking deeper
Comparison of encounters of Abraham with Melchizedek and Moses with Jethro.
What does this mean when you think of Jesus’ encounter with you?
