Move From Micromanaging

Move From Micromanaging

Exodus 18: ¹³ And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. ¹⁴ So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

 

¹⁵ And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. ¹⁶ When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

 

¹⁷ So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. ¹⁸ Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. ¹⁹ Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. ²⁰ And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. ²¹ Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. ²² And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. ²³ If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

 

²⁴ So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. ²⁵ And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. ²⁶ So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

 

²⁷ Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

 

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After hearing the complaints of the people. Moses fell into the trap of thinking he had to solve every problem for the people by himself. Jethro watched Moses and provided wise counsel.

 

My Observations:

• Moses may have felt alone, so he took it upon himself to speak to GOD about every matter concerning the millions of people he was leading.
• Jethro saw that Moses was trying to do everything alone and provided wise counsel to get some help.
• Moses listened to Jethro and appointed those who feared GOD, were truthful and who did not covet.

 

Feeling responsible for everyone’s wellbeing is a great quality of a leader, But, as Jethro pointed out, taking on too much responsibility for everyone is not a good thing. Moses was probably speaking to GOD in a one at a time fashion. He would hear one problem then race to GOD, then turn around and ask for another problem to solve.

 

Jethro knew Moses was getting bits and pieces of GOD’s law and he suggested that Moses teach others what GOD said to him. There was no formal law at this point. I believe the HOLY SPIRIT led Jethro to give Moses this wisdom.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the wisdom from Jethro?
• Are you trying to do everything yourself and are not asking for help?
• Is it time to ask GOD to bring you the help you need to fulfil HIS vision?