(Reading Time: 3:30) In my Bible readings I am currently in Exodus chapter 18. This is the story of where Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, comes to see Moses in Rephidim, where the Israelites had made camp. Jethro had brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him. Moses had sent them back to Jethro some time while Moses was contending with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Apparently Moses didn’t have time for them in his leadership.
Moses went on and on about how God had given them a great deliverance in Egypt and had set them free from slavery to Pharaoh. Jethro took it all in, then he made a feast for Moses and all the Israelite elders to celebrate the power of the Lord.
The next day Jethro observed how Moses sat as a judge over the civil affairs of the people. If any had a dispute with another, they would come to Moses and he would hand down a court decision. Now Jethro knew something about all of this because he, for many years, was the priest of Midian (Exodus 3:1) and had handled many similar activities in his own land. That evening Jethro took Moses aside, after a long day in court, and gave him some advise, one judge to another. He said this:
“17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But 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. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.””
Exodus 18:17-23, NIV.
The next verse says that Moses did everything his father-in-law told him. What this shows me is that sometimes you just need professional, experienced advice and counsel from others, even if they are only experienced in civil matters. The same is true for the church. In America today, the church is as much a civil institution as any school, hospital, or other civic organization—it is governed by the same laws.
I know that some would say that the church should never consult with world, but let’s look at in a different light. We may know everything the Word says, but it does not tell us everything the statehouse says. It is wisdom to consult with professionals who know these things when the church and state mingle.
I thank God for Jethro’s advice. Why? Because it allows me more time to focus on the things that matter to the people of God. In the New King James Version, Jethro puts his advice this way, “You stand before God for the people…and select able men… and place such to be rulers over them.”
“Calvary exists to demonstrate the love of God to the families of our community!”
To receive a PDF version of this blog click here: You Stand Before God