The Value of a Different Perspective

Moses, What in the world are you doing?

Exodus 18:5-26

Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, heard all that God had done for Moses and decided to do what any good in-law would do—pay him a visit! However, Jethro did more than just visit; he also brought Moses' wife and their two sons with him after Moses had sent them away (but that's a story for another time). After catching up and the usual chit-chat, the story picks up in verse 13. It states, 'So it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.' You read that right—Moses spent all day judging the affairs, issues, complaints, and squabbles of the people. According to Exodus 12:37, this included around 600,000 men and women, not counting children! Can you imagine the amount of responsibility that would entail? To spend all day judging civil matters among people who had been miraculously relocated from their home (slavery) to a land they knew nothing about? Yet, here is Moses, the one who was fresh off a victory over the Amalekites, confined to a makeshift desk serving as judge.

I strongly believe that Moses was doing important work, but the question is: was it work for him to do? I believe the answer is a resounding NO!

Moses, what in the world are you doing? Are you crazy? This is my modern take on verse 14, where Jethro asks Moses why he is spending all day judging issues, and Moses replies in verse 15, 'Because the people come to me to inquire of God.' The reality of the situation is that Moses, having a heart for the people, did whatever was necessary to make sure they were taken care of, as many leaders do. This love, combined with the desire to fulfill the will of God, causes many leaders to overextend themselves and take on tasks that are simply too far out of their scope of work. Thankfully, Jethro, seeing this, provided Moses with a different perspective. He told Moses to do three things:

• Stand before God for the people and bring the difficulties to Him. (verse 19)

• Teach them the statutes and laws so they know how to walk and live. (verse 20)

• Delegate—put a structure in place that allows able men to help with the task of judging. (verse 21)

This is the value of a different perspective. In just three verses, Jethro gave Moses an effective blueprint for leadership: keep your focus on the main goals, develop your people, and leverage the tools of delegation and structure to allow you to focus on what’s truly important. In the next chapter (Exodus 19), we see Moses ascending Mount Sinai, receiving commands, and teaching the people, ultimately paving the way for the Ten Commandments.

What would your next chapter look like with the right advice?"