Chapter 18
Anyone here a Star Wars buff? There’s a saying by Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope (the first movie released back in the ’70s). As she stood before Darth Vader during her interrogation, she commented, “The more you tighten your grip, the more people will slip through your fingers.”
I’ve never forgotten that saying. As I’ve grown older and experienced various levels of leadership, it’s come to mind more and more. Leadership can be incredibly trying, with each level bringing its own unique challenges. I’ve learned that if I seek leadership for titles, roles/power, or money, I’ve already failed in the foundations of good leadership. That desire for leadership is really about control and self-ambition.
Maybe I want to take on a leadership role because I feel God has called me to something. And by His grace, something begins to develop. People respond, and structure begins to form. “Wow, how wonderful to do the work of God, and I’m the leader! Now all I have to do is keep it together.” Right? Again, too many “I” statements. When we rely only on ourselves, we can expect to burn out very quickly.
So, we gather trusted people around us to help carry the load. “There, I’m passing leadership on to others.” But then, I have them report every decision they make. I second-guess them afterward. I go behind their backs and meet with others they manage, undermining the leaders I put in place. I make deals on the side and tell others to come to me if they have any problems with my leaders. I give my leaders tasks to complete, but not the authority to carry them out. After all, God chose me, not them. So, I need to be the ultimate decision maker.
Maybe you’ve known leaders like this. Maybe you’ve even been guilty of some of it. I’ll admit, it’s part of “human” nature—fear of losing control, trust issues, ego or pride, fear of failure, and even insecurity. These are all root causes of poor leadership.
Sometimes, in early developing leaders, it’s not any of these. It’s simply ignorance, a lack of understanding. That brings us to Chapter 18. Moses is carrying the full burden of leading a new nation. Here, he receives some sound counsel from his father-in-law. Notice the qualifications listed in verses 20-23. They ironically mirror the qualifications for the first deacons in the book of Acts.
I suppose this journey of identity for Israel was also one for Moses. God is no respecter of persons. No level of leadership is immune to God’s teaching. No corporate title will ever be the “finish line.” Heaven forbid we ever think we’ve reached a place where we can no longer be taught! The true success of a leader is measured by the number of people they’ve influenced to influence others toward the cross.
So, yes, get skills—they’re absolutely necessary, as we see in verse 21a. But always, and forever, keep your heart postured toward God. Then, those skills will be used in wonderful ways—both practically and spiritually.
For godly leadership is about proper influence, not titles, money, or personal power.
Jethro Visits Moses
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons; of whom the name of the one was Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” 4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was camped, at the mount of God. 6 He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you, and your wife, and her two sons with her.”
7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the travail that had come on them along the way, and how Jehovah delivered them.
9 Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be Jehovah, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh. God has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods. Yes, in this thing where they dealt arrogantly against Israel.” 12 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13 And it came to pass the next day, that Moses sat as judge for the people. The people stood about Moses from the morning to the evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this that you do for the people? Why do you sit by yourself alone, and all the people stand about you from morning to evening?”
15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a matter, they come to me and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18 You will surely wear away, both you, and the people that are with you. For the work is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone. 19 Listen now to my voice, I will give you counsel, and God be with you. Be for the people their representative, and bring their causes to God. 20 You shall teach them [Moses was to multiply his himself by pouring into them.] the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way [not just by words but by actions. Be consistent in word and deed.] they must walk, and the work that they must do. [give clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities and authority.] 21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, [not “favored” but “able” with the ability to perform.] such that fear God, [One may have the ability, but do they have the heart postured toward God? That is a must.] men of truth, [When the heart is right, truth, or faithfulness is a fruit. When these are evident, then one can rest that the decisions they make will be made with the right heart.] hating unjust gain. [not ambitious for selfish gain, but those with a servant’s heart.] Place such men over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all seasons. [Not just temporarily until Moses rested, but consistent in allowing his leaders to lead.] It shall be that great matters they shall bring to you, [Stay connected and be available for serious issues.] but every small matter they shall judge themselves. [Don’t micro-manage, but rely on them to do their part regardless even if it the method was different than Moses would do.] So shall it be easier for you, and they shall help bear the burden with you. 23 If you shall do this, and God commands you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.
24 Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. 25 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 And they judged the people at all seasons. The hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.
