Are we humble enough to receive wise counsel, even when it means changing the way we have always done things?
Key Verse:
“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you.” —Exodus 18:19a NASB
Background Context:
After rejoicing over God’s faithfulness to Israel, Jethro observed Moses carrying the enormous responsibility of judging every dispute among the people. From morning until evening, Moses alone listened to every case. Seeing the burden this placed on Moses and the people alike, Jethro lovingly offered wise counsel. Rather than becoming defensive, Moses listened, sought God’s will, and implemented a better system of leadership.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
13It came about the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood about Moses from the morning until the evening. 14Now when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge and all the people stand about you from morning until evening?” 15Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16“When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
Jethro Counsels Moses
17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. 18“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. 19“Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, 20then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do. 21“Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 22“Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23“If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”
24So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. 26They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. 27Then Moses bade his father-in-law farewell, and he went his way into his own land.
Reflection:
One of the most remarkable qualities of Moses in this passage is not his leadership—it is his humility.
Moses was God’s chosen leader. He had witnessed the burning bush, confronted Pharaoh, led Israel through the Red Sea, and spoken directly with the Lord. Yet when Jethro observed his leadership and said, “The thing that you are doing is not good” (Exodus 18:17), Moses did not become offended or defensive.
Instead, he listened.
That takes humility.
Sometimes the hardest advice to receive is not criticism from an enemy, but loving correction from someone who genuinely cares about us. Pride resists correction because it assumes we already know the best way. Humility recognizes that God often uses other people to help us grow.
The book of Proverbs repeatedly teaches this principle.
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14)
And again:
“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)
Wise counsel is one of God’s gifts. It protects us from unnecessary burdens, blind spots, and poor decisions.
Jethro also recognized something Moses did not fully appreciate: no one person is meant to carry every burden alone.
He warned Moses:
“You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” (Exodus 18:18)
God never intended healthy leadership to depend upon one exhausted individual doing everything. Instead, Jethro advised Moses to appoint capable, trustworthy men to share the responsibility, while Moses focused on teaching God’s statutes and seeking the Lord on behalf of the people.
This was not abandoning responsibility.
It was stewarding responsibility wisely.
Many of us struggle with this lesson. Sometimes we hesitate to delegate because we think no one else can do the job as well. Other times we simply find it easier to continue carrying every responsibility ourselves. Yet refusing to share responsibilities often leads to exhaustion, frustration, and even discouragement.
The New Testament echoes this same principle. Paul describes the church as one body with many members, each gifted differently for the work God has given them (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). No single believer possesses every gift or carries every responsibility. God designed His people to work together.
Likewise, Galatians 6:2 encourages us:
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
Healthy leadership is not about doing everything ourselves.
It is about equipping others to serve alongside us.
Notice also that Jethro’s counsel was deeply rooted in God’s priorities. Moses was not simply told to reduce his workload. He was instructed to devote himself to the tasks only he could fulfill—teaching God’s Word, representing the people before God, and helping them understand how to walk according to His instruction.
The same principle applies today. God has entrusted each of us with unique responsibilities. While we should faithfully fulfill those responsibilities, we should also recognize that He often accomplishes His work through the gifts and service of others.
Finally, Moses provides a wonderful example for every leader.
He listened.
He learned.
He changed.
Exodus simply tells us:
“So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” (Exodus 18:24)
What a beautiful testimony.
May we have hearts that are just as teachable.
Application:
- Welcome wise, biblical counsel instead of becoming defensive.
- Recognize that humility is a strength, not a weakness.
- Ask God to reveal responsibilities that should be shared with others.
- Encourage and equip others to use the gifts God has given them.
- Remember that healthy leadership seeks God’s wisdom and works together with His people.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for placing wise people in my life who encourage, challenge, and strengthen me. Give me a humble heart that welcomes godly counsel and is willing to change when needed. Help me not to carry burdens You intended to be shared, and teach me to trust others as we work together for Your kingdom. May my leadership always reflect humility, wisdom, and dependence upon You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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