January 27th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Leadership Challenges!

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Father of peace, God of truth and love, I praise You because You are faithful to all of Your promises.

Read Exodus 18:1-27

[1] Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. [2] After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her [3] and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become an alien in a foreign land”; [4] and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” [5] Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God. [6] Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.” [7] So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. [8] Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them. [9] Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. [10] He said, “Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. [11] Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” [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 bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God. [13] The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. [14] When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” [15] Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. [16] Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.” [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. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. [20] Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. [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] 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. [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.” [24] Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. [25] He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. [26] They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. [27] Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“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” (2 Tim. 2:2).

Think Further

The visit of Jethro and the organization of the judges to assist Moses brings vital relief to the overburdened leader. It also brought a new leadership structure for the rabble of escaped slaves not yet united in an effective team, and a joyful reunion with Moses’ wife and children.

Jethro is more than just a father-in-law. As priest of Midian, he worships the one true God and acknowledges his saving power in the escape of the slaves. As a wise counselor, he sees the pressure Moses is under to lead the people. An expert in dispensing justice among his own tribe, he can give practical advice and a workable plan that Moses can implement. Moses needs to be taught how to set up a system of delegation–one of the basic skills of management. He must use the resources, skills and experience of others. For those who have responsibility for leading others, such gifts are greatly needed.

Mentors like Jethro are worth their weight in gold as they come alongside us, give us realistic advice, encourage us in our struggles, and bring their wisdom and experience to bear. Mentors are trusted friends, advisers or teachers, who are usually more experienced, but at a distance from the actual work we do. They share their lives, wisdom and skills with less experienced people to help them in their ministries, careers and education. Spiritual directors, pastors and counselors also provide us with a listening ear and encouraging support. Scripture gives several examples of mentoring relationships: Samuel, Barnabas and Jesus himself work alongside their younger charges to train and instill leadership gifts and qualities.

Apply

Do you need a mentor, or could you be one? List the qualities needed in a mentor, and think of possible people to approach. Pray about how to do this.

Closing prayer

Lord, I thank You for those who have mentored me and have modeled to me the difference Jesus Christ makes in life.

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