Review of Exodus 18

— by Victor Fawole

I welcome everyone to Exodus chapter 18 – a crash course on Leadership. Salvation brings us into a relationship with Jesus, and this relationship is beautifully expressed in our service to God. Presenting our lives as a “living sacrifice” for God is our life-long pursuit (Rom. 12:1). Our service to God can be compared to running a marathon (1Cor. 9:24, Phil. 3:14). None of us was saved to be a spectator in the family. We are all called to the ministry of reconciliation (2Cor. 5:18). And we all have specific ministries to serve in the church. At one point or the other, we will be leaders to some other believers. This chapter is loaded with profound lessons for us to serve effectively without having to suffer a burnout.

Let us review…

LEADERSHIP 101: LEADERSHIP BEGINS AT HOME

Exo. 18:2-3a Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, with her two sons…

When Moses was leaving Jethro in Exo. 4:18-20, he took his wife and his sons along. However, there was a point he sent his wife and sons back to his father-in-law (Jethro). The “when” and “why” are not revealed; we can only, safely, speculate. I suggest it was during the hot contest of plagues that Moses was highly involved in. He could have sent them to Jethro for proper care as he focused on the mission at hand. This reveals that he had a beautiful relationship with his father-in-law.

The moment Jethro heard about God’s wonderful redemption of the Jews, he reunited Moses’ family. Egypt was doomed, Amalek was destroyed. Now, Moses’ family should be with him.

Leadership begins at the home front. I love how the Bible gives the meanings of the names Moses gave his sons.

GERSHOM: I have been a stranger in a foreign land

ELIEZER: The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh

Oh how seriously we take the naming of our children in GOG! During the naming ceremonies of new babies in GOG, we ask the fathers to explain the meaning of each name and tell us, if there is any, the story behind the names.

Still on family matters, I love the father-to-son-in-law relationship between Jethro and Moses. It was clothed with love and mutual respect. Moses bowed and kissed him. They asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent (v. 7). Moses did not let ministerial exploits get in his head. What a loving and respectful relationship! Their relationship was garnished with humility, open communication, encouragement, support, and healthy boundaries. The fact that Moses could be vulnerable with Jethro, telling him all the hardships on Israel’s way and how God delivered them… What a rare kind of relationship between two men whose common interest is a woman they devoted their lives to caring for!

What was Jethro’s response to Moses’ honest report?

Ecstasy.

Jubilation.

Celebration.

Worship.

Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel… Hmmmmmn… Then Jethro took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. Oh, wow! He even participated in a “holy communion” with the elders of Israel! What more can one ask from one’s father-in-law?

Taking cues from Pastor Dammy’s sermon at the naming ceremony of Jedidiah Osunde, Jethro’s response is a testament to these three truths:

• God Exists:
  Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods…
• God Assists:
  Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh…
• God Persists:
  …for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them…

Hallelujah!

LEADERSHIP 201: MENTORSHIP IS MAGNIFICENT

Exo. 18:14 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?”

Being the only recognized judge in Israel, Moses had the job of hearing cases from morning till evening. All day. When we consider how disgruntled the Israelites can easily and quickly become, then we can understand why there were many disputes to settle. Let us glean some lessons here:

• Timely Wisdom:
  So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people…

Jethro saw the drama with the eyes of wisdom. I love this man’s insight. When he saw all that God had done for Israel, he worshipped. When he saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he warned. He began by asking a question. Sometimes when we are about to give someone advice, it is wise to engage with simple questions before we give the advice. Questions are the keys that open the door to the mind.

• Transparent Wisdom:
  And Moses said to his father-in-law…

When Moses would answer Jethro’s question, he was transparent about it. He didn’t wade off the question. He didn’t cast them away as words of a mere man. He didn’t consider himself too anointed to be questioned. He was like: “These people know that God speaks with me, and I can solve their disputes. I’m just doing exactly what they need me to do!”

Interestingly, when Moses still had untamed zeal, the Jews rejected his offer to settle their disputes (Exo. 2:13-14). Fast forward to now, they look up to him for resolution of their issues. Not only did he do that, he also taught them the statutes and laws of God. These statutes and laws were the basis for his judgments. Even before the Law was given, God gave his commandments, statutes, and laws to Abraham (Gen. 26:5), although not as a basis for righteousness.

However Moses’ leadership style was ineffective and would become counterproductive in no time. Jethro knew straight away that Moses needed to enrol in “Jethro School of Leadership Studies”. The admission form was free, but the curriculum was very rich!

• Tested Wisdom:
  So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. …

Jethro’s insight has pronounced itself loudly again. When he saw God’s goodness, he rejoiced. When he saw what Moses was doing (not good), he rebuked. “Arákùnrin, the stress is going to kill you!” There was no way he could survive long by being responsible for about two million people. Very soon, he would lose heart and wither away. The task was too huge for one man alone. At a point of exasperation, Moses himself confessed it (Num. 11:14).

• Transforming Wisdom:
  Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you…

The wisdom needed for transformation is a synergy of human reasoning (I will give you counsel) and divine enablement (and God be with you). Since Jethro was not a Jew, one could say that he had no business offering advice to the leader of the Jews. Yet, God used him.

• Timeless Wisdom:
  Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. And you shall teach them

Jethro highlighted Moses’ most important job descriptions: Prayer (before God) and Teaching (before men). Interestingly, these were exactly the primary focus of the apostles in the early church.

Acts 6:2,4 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables… but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Rather than spend the whole day settling disputes, Moses should rather invest time in prayer and teaching. He had to pray for the people, bringing the difficulties to God. And for him to have an effective ministry, he had to teach the Word of God. Sound doctrines and fervent prayers would help to form their behaviours, and most quarrels would not arise in the first place. And when they arise, they would be settled easily.

• Trusted Wisdom:
  Moreover you shall select from all the people able men…

Effective leadership is one that is built on the bedrock of teamwork and delegation. However, delegation fails if the task is not given to able and godly men. Here, we see the four criteria for the recommendations given by Jethro: Talented (able men), Trustworthy (fear God), Truthful (men of truth), Temperate (hating covetousness).

In developing new leaders, Moses would be fulfilling one of the most essential functions of a leader. Church leadership should never be a one-man show. The Apostles did the same in Acts 6:3. Paul charged Timothy to do the same in 2Tim. 2:2. It is better for a leader to put ten men to work than do the work of ten men.

With the structure suggested by Jethro, everyone wins. The workload on Moses would be much lighter, the other leaders/judges would be productive, and the people would not wait for too long for dispute resolution.

• Theocentric Wisdom:
  If you do this thing, and God so commands you…

I love that Jethro did not force his ideas down the throat of Moses. He told him to only consider his ideas if God directs him to do so. Take it to God in prayer, and if he approves it, you can then implement. We should never forget to do this when we get advice on important matters, even if the advice is from godly men. God has the final say in our lives and ministry, notwithstanding the advice we receive. One of the important life lessons I learnt from Mrs. Folake is this: Nobody should try to “play God” in other people’s lives.

We must avoid imposition, manipulation, or control in people’s decision making. We should allow them to hear from God and decide. Not by compulsion or coercion. Jethro knew his boundaries, and so we must respect our boundaries.

LEADERSHIP 301: TEACHABILITY IS A TREASURE

Exo. 18:24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

What if Moses was not willing to listen to Jethro’s advice? What if pride led him to discard the counsel? After all, Jethro was only his father-in-law, and he had no right to expose him as a “weak” leader. His leadership would have suffered greatly. But, thank God, Moses was teachable. This was good for everyone. Good for Moses because he could concentrate on the major matters without being overwhelmed or stressed by many minor matters. Good for the leaders Moses selected because they got the opportunity to serve God’s people in meaningful ways and further God’s work. Good for the people because they were able to settle more things themselves, getting quicker and better attention.

Dear Gogolights, thank you for joining this crash course on leadership from “Jethro School of Leadership Studies”. May we never lose our relevance. May we fulfil our ministry that God has given us. May we hit the very heights that God has for us, in grace and humility… in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tag five people and tell them: I have the mind of Christ! I have the wisdom of Christ!

God bless you for reading. See you next time we continue our journey in the book of Exodus.

Grace to you, Church!