Original Entry: November 8, 2008
McMinnville, OR
Moses’
father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will
only wear yourselves out. The work is
too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.
Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with
you. You must be the people’s
representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show
them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the
people-men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain-and
appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at
all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases
they can decide themselves. That will
make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will
be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
Exodus 18:17-23
And the
things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2Timothy 2:2
I was
talking to a man who shared that a mutual acquaintance had taken a buck in
western Oregon.
After he shared the story another friend responded, “Hey didn’t he also kill
one in Eastern Oregon?” When this man heard it he smiled, and
shrugged his shoulders.
“He must
have had a family tag,” I smirked.
They knew
exactly what I meant.
This
outspoken “Christian” man is known for his blatant law breaking in order to
fill his camera’s memory card. The
hunting obsession has not only tarnished the name of Christ but put a blemish
upon his name as well.
Does this
man fear God enough to keep his laws? The obvious answer is no. In today’s passage Jethro counsels his
son-in-law Moses to change his leadership style. These men needed Moses to help them
understand how “they are to walk and the
work they are to do (20).” Jethro encourages Moses to seek out certain
men.
“You shall select out of all the people able men
who Fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain (21).”
The Fear
of God changes men. Jesus changes a
heart but the fear of God keeps that heart changed. It is in those times when
we don’t fear God that we openly indulge in sin? Sin is no surprise to a man. It’s his conscious choice to please self and
not the God he claims to serve.
