We need Godly priorities and to focus on our individual callings! Exodus 18
After the battle with the Amalekites and before the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, the Bible recorded the visit of Jethro and Moses family. Seems a minor matter, but was it?
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God.
Jethro arrived and they went into the tent and Moses told him all that God had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians and how He had rescued Israel along the way. Moses ‘caught up with Jethro and we presume his wife and sons’. They spent TIME ALONE TOGETHER, so the Word records Moses met with his FAMILY FIRST – they were First Priority.
Jethro praised God for all He had done and declared, ‘Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the other gods’.
12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.
Jethro then ate with the leaders of the people in the presence of God. The COMMUNITY CAME SECOND after the time with the Family. They ate together, still often the way when leaders and officials meet today; a way for people to meet and bond outside of a purely business agenda.
13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood round him from morning till evening.
17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. 18 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. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. …21 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. 22 Let them serve as judges for the people at all times, but let 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. 23 If you do this and God so commands, YOU will be able to stand the strain, and all THESE PEOPLE will go home satisfied.’
THIRD came the Administration of Justice or we might call it Business. Jethro gave Moses and the people good advice and I believe Godly advice. Burnout would have been a disaster for Moses and Israel. God was about to issue the Law and bring in a new dispensation, but he adjusted the administration of Justice first. Trusted members of the community dealt with the day to day problems and Moses still judged major disputes.
Family first, community/Church second and business third – the Bible’s order for dealing with life. Focus on our own strengths and callings.
God bless and keep you today.