EXODUS 18 DELEGATION There were others beside the Israelites in Old Testament times who were worshippers of the One true God. "In every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." Melchizedek and Jethro were two such people. Jethro would have seen God working in Moses for forty years, and recognized the changes God can bring in a man that "feareth Him and worketh righteousness." The work of God we can see in those around us, affects us. We can learn ourselves by what God teaches through His training of others. We can greatly benefit each other as we share the dealings of God with us. Jethro would have learned much about God through Moses, and Moses got his wife and learned wisdom as how to lead and feed sheep, through Jethro. By introducing others to the Lord, we know personally, we are increasingly aware of God ourselves. We are blessed in several ways in our relationship with others. The gifts they give to us blesses them in their giving and us in the receiving of the gift. What we give of ourselves and our knowledge of God, enhances our knowledge of Him and produces Christ-likeness in us.
When Jethro and Moses met, there was obvious respect on the part of each for the other. Respect for others is not something that can be faked very easily. There may be a certain cultural protocol we follow but the words and expressions of face and body really are what defines the reality of respect. Moses would have been glad to privately greet his wife and sons as that was personal to them all. When Moses recounted the many ways God had dealt with the Egyptians and God's goodness on the journey by providing miraculously for their safety needs, physical needs and victory over the Amalekites, Jethro would have not only been delighted, but more convinced than ever of the reality and authority of God. It is a good thing to recount to others our experiences with God. This is not just for our sake but to show others how God does great things today even as He did in the past. God has not ceased being for His people and with His people. "God's name is great among the Gentiles."
There is a tendency at times to think we are the only people in the world God recognizes. That was a Hebrew characteristic in the past and we can fall into the same mindset regarding our gathering and those who gather in a way similar to what we do. It is well for us to remember God is not limited in the way He chooses to deal with men. We have our obligation to fulfill what God has called us to do and where He has placed us. It is not our prerogative to pass our judgment on those God is using in His own way in other places.
God had used Moses in a singular way and the tasks of leadership he was handling by himself. It is not always easy to delegate responsibility to others. To guide, to teach and to judge a host of more than two million people was a daunting task to say the least, and in a sense impossible to do alone. God is able to give needed strength and wisdom for the work He gives us. However, there does come a time when able men who fear God, love the truth and hate covetousness can do for the whole congregation what is beyond one man's ability to do, or that he can do because of the constraints of time. The celebration Jethro provided and the sacrificial meal, provided the opening for his suggestion to Moses that he delegate the judicial side of leadership to others.
The advantages would have been easy to see. Moses would devote himself to those things that were directly related to God passing on His will through His servant Moses. He would be able to teach the laws and the statutes that would soon be given. There would be developed men who could be trusted to lead in areas of social difficulty in the quickest possible time and with the least negative effect. This same pattern was followed in the early church when men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom were set apart to do the work of ministering to the people of God. Men who honored and feared God, who were committed to the truth of God and were not corrupted by greed, were able to lead God's people with unbiased impartiality. Men like this are of great value to God's people today. They in turn free others to give heed to their teaching, preaching and to prayer.
The gift of administration is needful among God's people. It takes time to "commit to faithful men" the things we have learned from others. But the on-going training of leaders is not something that can be learned just by going to a school. Wise leaders will pass on personally their knowledge of Christ, of God's Word and the principles of leadership - and then give to those to whom the work has been delegated, the privilege of doing their work as to the Lord and for the Lord alone. They will not be identical to us nor do things the way we did
- which doubtless is a good thing for the most part.
To pass on to others a work that is obviously greater than us - Requires understanding of others and of those in whom we place our trust. To insist they be rubber-stamps of which we perceive ourselves to be - Is really unrealistic, and characteristic of those who lead arrogantly.
Rather we should be able to discern the kind of people we live among. We watch them and listen to their words, and see what they have previously done. If there is a pattern of consistency and a real interest in the things of God - Then it is time to consider that this person is one who is called by the Lord.
They will not be stuck in indecision, but are able men who can draw conclusions. There is a real fear and reverence for God, they are not men of collusion. Truth and righteous dealings with others are genuine character traits. They can be trusted to make wise decisions even when in perilous straits.
To delegate a work is important, but is not to be done in a casual way. One who passes on work to others is one who will take time to pray. When a decision is made and another one steps in to share the load - Let them quickly be made aware of the serious office they hold.
Then move on to your own work with diligence and leave them to do theirs. Don't go back and criticize or start to meddle in other people's affairs. Trust the Spirit of God to do what is needed, and make sure you do your work right. The principle of service doesn't change when we are walking by faith, not by sight.
"O God of all grace, my heavenly Father, with trust and confidence in Thee, I leave these young workers in the vineyard to do the work Thou hast equipped them to do. I will pray for them and seek to help them when I can. But I know they are Thy servants, not mine. Give me wisdom in those times when we interact, that I may be a help, not a hindrance to them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."