If you were to read the title, and not realize this was an article dealing with a Bible subject, you might think that Jethro had reference to the Jethro of the Beverly Hillbillies. That guy was not smart at all.
But, the Jethro that was Moses’ father-in-law was a smart man. He was a priest of Midian and well respected by Moses. While there is no revelation given as to whether Jethro ever fully rejected idolatry, he certainly came to realize the preeminence of the God of the Hebrews. He was a just man, kind and generous to his son-in-law.
In Exodus 18, having found out about the Israelite’s escape from Egypt, Jethro went to visit Moses. The next day Moses stood before the people to judge between them. When Jethro saw that Moses worked from morning until evening, he said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.” (18:17). He didn’t mean that Moses was doing wrong, but that Moses was making things hard on himself. “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” (18:18). As such he had some good advice for the younger man.
In reading this text, the first thing that becomes evident is that Jethro knew the importance of delegating authority. He suggested that Moses “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” (18:21). He knew that this would ease Moses’ burden, and allow him to better serve the Lord and his people. “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 shall be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you” (22). Every good manager of men knows these principles are true.
But, there is another piece of advice that was just as important in easing Moses’ burden. Jethro suggested, “And you shall teach them [the people] the statutes and laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do” (20). When the Israelites knew what the laws of God were, they would be more likely to walk in righteousness, and not need the judging that was such a burden at the beginning. “So Moses… did all that he [Jethro] had said” (18:24).
Our application is simple and evident. We need to know God’s laws. If we don’t, our ignorance will lead to mistakes. It will bring burdens upon the leaders in our congregations, as they have to deal with our sin. Listen to Paul’s wisdom in this, “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
Yes, that Jethro was a pretty sharp fellow!
