#168 Dishonest gain

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 instructions.”

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 his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trust worthy 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. Exodus 18:13-27

Moses has taken seriously the role of leader, and has thrown himself deep into the responsibility of a budding nation. He is without help though and the people come to him with every dispute or problem that may arise. They are no longer slaves to another kingdom, so what rule that may be must be established. Moses' father in law is concerned for his health and well being, and the one talks to God on behalf of the people is yet willing to listen. He is not tyrant, monarch or politician. Moses sees the advice is good and follows it, but great care must be taken in who he appoints. The men must fear God, for if they do not then they shall most certainly not hate dishonest gain. Politicians create a system that feeds upon it's people, and makes possible those lobbyist whose interest are not for the people. All men are tempted, by varying degree, when offered power and position, but Moses is quick to relinquish and disperse it. He is a very earthly picture of Christ as mediator, and a man given the patience to deal with a grumbling nation, but also the wisdom to seek guidance and ask for help. Responsibility is not a bad thing, but we can assume too much, and in the end be irresponsible. 

Leadership in the church