Exodus chapter 18 reminds us that our God is a God of order. The chapter begins with Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, returning with Moses wife and two sons, Ziporah Gershon and Eliezer. Apparently Moses sent his family out of Egypt during the plagues. Jethro meets Moses and the nation at the base of Mount Sinai, where they are camped. We read, “Moses told Jethro about everything the Lord had done… and how the Lord had saved them. Jethro was delighted“. Jethro then declares, “Now I know the Lord is greater than all other gods… and he brought a burn offering and other sacrifices to God“. Though it is likely Jethro already worshipped the true God (he was the Priest of Median), it reminds us, we need to encourage one another. It is good to share of God’s wonderful victories in our lives with others so they too can be encouraged.
“The next day Moses took his seat to serve as the judge for the people, and they stood before him from morning until evening“. Jethro, observing this asked, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge while all these people stand around?” Moses explains. “the people come to me to seek God’s will… I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws“. Jethro tells Moses, “What you are doing is not good“, notice he is not saying it is wrong, Jethro explains, “The work is too heavy…you cannot handle it alone“. Moses is guilty of what many of us do as well; we overestimate our importance! We stay ridiculously busy doing good things, but that, in many cases, is not good. Jethro give Moses some advice, “You must be the people’s representative before God… teach them the decrees and laws and show them how to live and the duties they are to perform.” You gotta get your priorities in order son! Jethro gives him a plan to accomplish this, “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… but have them bring all the difficult cases to you.” And here is the best line in the chapter, “Moses listened… and did everything he said“.
Titus chapter two instructs us of our biblical roles. “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible and sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, not enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good“. Both are encouraged to teach the younger men and women, “encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children… likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example“. The purpose of this is not just so we can avoid doing dumb things, but that we can all be “looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Seek to find a ‘Jethro’ in your life so you may both be encouraged!