Yet, Moses says in this chapter that he was teaching the people God's laws and statutes. He must have been taught these will in Midian, meeting with the Lord with God correcting his faulty beliefs and ethics. Jethro was obviously sent by God to Moses to deliver the advice concerning judging matters between the people. Even with just three months passing, Jethro knew that Moses could not bear up under the constant bringing forward of matters serious and petty to Moses. Jethro knew that the land of Canaan was not far away and could be reached in a short time. He did not know that they would wander for 40 years. Jethro may have thought that Moses would be the leader of these people in the Promised Land, so his advice to delegate matters to a hierarchical system of governing would be beneficial while they traveled and when they settled in Canaan.
The leaders needed to be men of good character who loved God and could not be tempted by bribes and corrupt practices. there was first, men set over ten men (ten families), then men set over 50 men (families), then men set over 100 men (families), then men over a thousand, and finally, Aaron and Moses. So, disputes and matters needing sound judgement were mostly settled with the first group. And then the matter may go to the next level, and the next, etc. until it was satisfactorily resolved.
God spoke through Jethro in this matter, which freed up Moses time for what was to come. He would soon be called by YHWH to ascend Mt. Sinai and receive a large treasure of laws, statutes, decrees, and ethical rules to govern these people both socially and spiritually. Moses would now have time to meditate, pray, intercede, and meet with God knowing that most matters among the people were being resolved by the men appointed by himself and Aaron.
This makes me think that we need to be careful of overcommitting ourselves in many avenues and instead concentrate on a few things that are placed upon us by the Holy Spirit.
Thank you Gigi, for this timely message. In today's world, we have so much distraction! And there is something in the American 'psyche', i.e., something in the make up of the mindset of our culture that tells us that it is wrong or ungodly to say "No" sometimes! We think we have to say 'Yes' to every request!
I think of now of the lesson we learn from Mary. Mary found the ONE GOOD THING - and that was sitting at Jesus's feet! Others may have been tempted to think that Martha was right, doing all the busy work and 'serving', but 'serving' is nothing without having sat at the feet of the Master first.
Note: we are called human' BEINGS', not human "Doings" - ha ha!
My husband is European, and I remember when we first met almost 25 years ago and as we were getting to know each other, I asked his hobbies. At the end of his list, he concluded with, "hiking, reading...and just being." I was puzzled, and asked, "Just being what?" He looked at me just as puzzled and said again, "You know...just being. I like to just be."
Well this went back and forth for a moment or two more, until he explained to me that he enjoyed just sitting, and examining his soul with the Lord, and just sitting in the presence of the Lord, with no 'motive' or 'agenda' or 'need to do something". He liked to 'just be with himself and his Maker!.
That as a very good lesson, for I tend to be a type-A, very busy-minded gal. It is good to push all the unnecessary off of our plate to have time with Jesus.
This lesson reminded me of all that, and I am thankful Gigi.
Good afternoon Kay, Thanks for you reply. Along the lines of your friend, I have a personal story.
It was in 2021, Holy Week (as some call the week before Resurrection Day) and I had scheduled a get-away for myself only at a cabin. I had never done this before in the 20 years I was married and raising our sons. I was dealing with a lot and needed this time to regroup, pray, and let the Holy Spirit lead and prompt me.
I arrived at the cabin on Thursday afternoon, got all settled. I had brought my Bible, some Sunday School materials I was to prepare for upcoming lessons, and some home financial things I needed to get around to. I sat on the bed looking at these things I had placed on the shelf, asking God what He wants me to do first-read the Bible, do the SS lesson, etc, and the prompt to my heart was just this. "I want you to just "be" with Me." I was deeply touched by this and so I did just that. i put on some worship music, made myself dinner, set a plate for both me and the Lord, sat down and enjoyed His company throughout the rest of the evening. What a beautiful time this was for me. There was emotional healing and deepening of my sensitivity to His Spirit.
So, I do think that Jethro's advice freed Moses up to learn to "be" with YHWH. Moses was perhaps the greatest leader of all the Israelite nation through all of its history. (Aside from Jesus, of course). The Word speaks of Him as being a friend of God and one to speak to Him "face-to-face". His encounters with YHWH must have been awesome and incredible.
What a marvelous testimony of the loving kindness of God in your life experiences, Gigi!
Isn't it mind-boggling that THIS God Who is OUR God....just likes to be with us? I mean - He is in the company of seraphim, and angels and the spirits of just men made perfect in glory - yet, condescends to 'enjoy' us; I know that He is happy totally in Himself, and doesn't 'need' us to be happy...but He CHOOSES to delight in the sons of men! It is just too much for words to describe how astounding this all is! PRAISE THE LORD! :)
It seems somehow, in my own life, it has been the hardest thing to follow the 'easiest' command of Jesus, i.e, "Take MY yoke upon you..." He explains WHY He wants us to do so, and that's because HIS is easy and light. Does Kay listen? Nooooo... "Gimme that big, fat ol' heavy end, Jesus, I'll carry it!!"..and then wonder when I get worn out! Ha ha! Thanks be to Jesus for His patience with such a one as I, for over the years, little by little, I learn to leave the 'heavy work' for Him, and take the easy end with joy and thanksgiving...which includes a lot of 'down time' with Him! As you well know, sweet sister, there really is no place better in all worlds than sitting at the feet of Jesus and admiring Him!
Yet, Moses says in this chapter that he was teaching the people God's laws and statutes. He must have been taught these will in Midian, meeting with the Lord with God correcting his faulty beliefs and ethics. Jethro was obviously sent by God to Moses to deliver the advice concerning judging matters between the people. Even with just three months passing, Jethro knew that Moses could not bear up under the constant bringing forward of matters serious and petty to Moses. Jethro knew that the land of Canaan was not far away and could be reached in a short time. He did not know that they would wander for 40 years. Jethro may have thought that Moses would be the leader of these people in the Promised Land, so his advice to delegate matters to a hierarchical system of governing would be beneficial while they traveled and when they settled in Canaan.
The leaders needed to be men of good character who loved God and could not be tempted by bribes and corrupt practices. there was first, men set over ten men (ten families), then men set over 50 men (families), then men set over 100 men (families), then men over a thousand, and finally, Aaron and Moses. So, disputes and matters needing sound judgement were mostly settled with the first group. And then the matter may go to the next level, and the next, etc. until it was satisfactorily resolved.
God spoke through Jethro in this matter, which freed up Moses time for what was to come. He would soon be called by YHWH to ascend Mt. Sinai and receive a large treasure of laws, statutes, decrees, and ethical rules to govern these people both socially and spiritually. Moses would now have time to meditate, pray, intercede, and meet with God knowing that most matters among the people were being resolved by the men appointed by himself and Aaron.
This makes me think that we need to be careful of overcommitting ourselves in many avenues and instead concentrate on a few things that are placed upon us by the Holy Spirit.
I think of now of the lesson we learn from Mary. Mary found the ONE GOOD THING - and that was sitting at Jesus's feet! Others may have been tempted to think that Martha was right, doing all the busy work and 'serving', but 'serving' is nothing without having sat at the feet of the Master first.
Note: we are called human' BEINGS', not human "Doings" - ha ha!
My husband is European, and I remember when we first met almost 25 years ago and as we were getting to know each other, I asked his hobbies. At the end of his list, he concluded with, "hiking, reading...and just being." I was puzzled, and asked, "Just being what?" He looked at me just as puzzled and said again, "You know...just being. I like to just be."
Well this went back and forth for a moment or two more, until he explained to me that he enjoyed just sitting, and examining his soul with the Lord, and just sitting in the presence of the Lord, with no 'motive' or 'agenda' or 'need to do something". He liked to 'just be with himself and his Maker!.
That as a very good lesson, for I tend to be a type-A, very busy-minded gal. It is good to push all the unnecessary off of our plate to have time with Jesus.
This lesson reminded me of all that, and I am thankful Gigi.
God bless you!
It was in 2021, Holy Week (as some call the week before Resurrection Day) and I had scheduled a get-away for myself only at a cabin. I had never done this before in the 20 years I was married and raising our sons. I was dealing with a lot and needed this time to regroup, pray, and let the Holy Spirit lead and prompt me.
I arrived at the cabin on Thursday afternoon, got all settled. I had brought my Bible, some Sunday School materials I was to prepare for upcoming lessons, and some home financial things I needed to get around to. I sat on the bed looking at these things I had placed on the shelf, asking God what He wants me to do first-read the Bible, do the SS lesson, etc, and the prompt to my heart was just this. "I want you to just "be" with Me." I was deeply touched by this and so I did just that. i put on some worship music, made myself dinner, set a plate for both me and the Lord, sat down and enjoyed His company throughout the rest of the evening. What a beautiful time this was for me. There was emotional healing and deepening of my sensitivity to His Spirit.
So, I do think that Jethro's advice freed Moses up to learn to "be" with YHWH. Moses was perhaps the greatest leader of all the Israelite nation through all of its history. (Aside from Jesus, of course). The Word speaks of Him as being a friend of God and one to speak to Him "face-to-face". His encounters with YHWH must have been awesome and incredible.
Isn't it mind-boggling that THIS God Who is OUR God....just likes to be with us? I mean - He is in the company of seraphim, and angels and the spirits of just men made perfect in glory - yet, condescends to 'enjoy' us; I know that He is happy totally in Himself, and doesn't 'need' us to be happy...but He CHOOSES to delight in the sons of men! It is just too much for words to describe how astounding this all is! PRAISE THE LORD! :)
It seems somehow, in my own life, it has been the hardest thing to follow the 'easiest' command of Jesus, i.e, "Take MY yoke upon you..." He explains WHY He wants us to do so, and that's because HIS is easy and light. Does Kay listen? Nooooo... "Gimme that big, fat ol' heavy end, Jesus, I'll carry it!!"..and then wonder when I get worn out! Ha ha! Thanks be to Jesus for His patience with such a one as I, for over the years, little by little, I learn to leave the 'heavy work' for Him, and take the easy end with joy and thanksgiving...which includes a lot of 'down time' with Him! As you well know, sweet sister, there really is no place better in all worlds than sitting at the feet of Jesus and admiring Him!
Have a wonder-filled weekend, Gigi!
Love in Jesus and lots of holy hugs!
-Kay-
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