Exodus 18:13-26. It is Not Good that Man Should Be Alone.

Exodus 18:13-26

“It is not good that man should be alone.”

This is my favorite text on leadership in the entire Bible and I am continually challenged by it. But before we dive in we must understand the context of Jethro’s advice to Moses. Immediately before in ch. 17:1-7 the people grumble and blame Moses in the wilderness. As the Lord directs Moses to bring water from the rock at Horeb, He instructs Moses to take elders with him and perform the miracle in their sight. In 17:8-13, when Amalek attacked Israel, Moses was physically unable to keep his hands up to win the battle without the help the Aaron and Hur on either side. The lesson from context is:

There will always be difficulty from people within and without, and God is preparing Moses to be a better leader by not leading alone. Israel’s history is no different than life in our local churches, the people will always praise or blame the man God has called to lead. Yet, there is strength and solidarity in numbers. Also, we are weak, and even the most energetic of us get tired and worn out, by ourselves, our arms and heads will droop. But what a blessing it is to have men beside us, standing in agreement who will prop us up!

Israel is approaching Mount Sinai to receive the ten words of the Lord in chs. 19-20, and the Lord instructs Moses to have men in place before the tablets are given. The wisdom of Jethro to Moses in ch. 18 is strategically placed.

Jethro’s Wisdom

1-12. Moses’ father-in-law deserves some attention. He is a caring man with an interest in Moses’ personal and family welfare (6-7). When he hears of the work of the Lord in Israel, he rejoices, and blesses the Lord, proves that the God of Israel is greater than all other gods, offers sacrifices and has fellowship among the leaders of Israel (9-12). When he speaks to Moses, he lends wisdom and investment to the counsel he will give. Everyone needs at least one Jethro in their life.

Moses’ Predicament

13-14. Moses is in a common leadership dilemma: since there are always problems to fix and people needing help Moses is stretched to his limit! Moses is judging the people (deciding among them) ‘from morning till evening’. This is a tall task for one man, considering Israel was ‘six hundred thousand men… besides women and children’ (Ex. 12:37). The wise, older man surveys the situation with a perspective that can usually only be seen from the outside and rightfully points out Moses’ potential for burnout in verse 14.

He asks the key question, “why do you sit alone”? From the beginning, God’s design for man was not for him to be alone (Gen. 2:18). This is true in the home and the church, only God is self-subsistent and self-sufficient! But men struggle with this, we don’t like to ask for directions, we don’t like to ask for help, and we don’t like to admit we can’t do everything. Jethro rightly observes there is a problem with what Moses is doing ‘for the people’! Instead he is says, “Moses, think about what is actually best for the people!”

Jethro’s Assessment

15-18. Jethro now judges Moses, saying “what you are doing is not good”. What Moses was doing was in fact good, he is helping people understand and apply the law of God. Moses may have been effective, but he was highly inefficient. While it may be good for those he is able to help for a time, it is not sustainable. Many men keep up a sprinter’s pace in ministry and life, which we can all do for a time, but eventually our legs and our lungs will give out. Jethro as a seasoned older man sees what is coming down the road for Moses, making three profound statements:

1. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out.
2. For the thing is too heavy for you.
3. You are not able to do it alone.

Moses may have been an extraordinary man with an extraordinary calling, but he is still finite. “Moses you are not Superman! You can’t be expected to put all this on your shoulders.” As men, our flesh does not want to hear that something is too much for us, but when our spirit hears these words, we rejoice in the opportunity for relief. The problem is if we don’t have a Jethro in our lives, it may never come.

Jethro’s Counsel

19-20. Obey my voice… and God will be with you: Moses, this is not an optional suggestion but a piece of optimal advice in the form of command with divine approval.

You shall…: What Moses was doing was indeed good. Continue to: intercede and judge the people, bring their cases before the Lord, divide and apply the law of the Lord, help them walk in a way that is pleasing to Him! But, how he was doing it is not good, he needed to add this important thing:

21-22. Look for able men from all the people: This is never meant to be the task for one man alone, if Moses couldn’t, we certainly cannot either. This high calling is not meant for any empty suit, or the first man you come to, don’t look for superficiality or proximity, but for character and competency in three key areas:

1. Men who fear God: This is intentionally first, those who fear God, who love Him and revere Him will tremble at the thought of sinning against Him! He will be a faithful co-laborer, because He serves the same Master, he is not your “yes man”.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Ps. 147:10-11

2. Who are trustworthy: We all know how important it is to have people you trust and rely on in life, but especially in ministry. When you have the perilous task of climbing a mountain, you want trustworthy men holding the rope, working toward the same end, pleasing the same Master. We need to know that the job will be done and done well. Which is why the next characteristic is also imperative. 

3. Who hate a bribe: They should despise the very thought that money could sway their affections from the Israel of God! Any judge who can be bought is not worthy of his position. We need men who are looking for treasures in heaven, not on earth. If you are enticed by the world’s goods and don’t know the value of an immortal soul, you have no place overseeing kingdom resources.

Place such men over the people, as ‘chiefs of thousands… hundreds… fifties… tens.’, No one is identical in gifting or capacity but they are all useful in kingdom work. Paul makes this clear in 1 Corinthians 12 that every part of the body is indispensable, especially those who are not always visible or presentable. Speaking plainly, every healthy church is comprised of an eldership with varied gifts, who are not meant or able to handle the same load or type of responsibility, along with deacons and mature members all caring for one another according to their ability to build up the whole body into their head, Christ (Eph. 4:15).

And let them judge the people at all times. We do not get to choose to serve the King only when it suits us, or it is convenient. As you well know, problems rarely arise when it is convenient for us, and the wisdom God has given us is not for our sake alone. Praise God when we have trustworthy men who can come to us, and we can go to them. We must not be afraid to ask for help, and we must not be afraid to let other trusted leaders decide for themselves. “So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.”

23. If you do this: here is the great promise, for Moses and I also contend, for us! “If you do this, God will direct you.” When we work according to God’s design, He will be pleased to direct us and bless our efforts. We may not know exactly how it will all work out, and what exactly will transpire, but we trust that whether we plant or water, God will bring the increase (1 Cor. 3:6-7). The fruit and the results are not up to us, it is in much better hands, because we “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good”. (1 Pet. 4:19). Trust Christ with His church for His glory, and He will complete the work He began!

And this has practical benefits as well, “if you do this… you will be able to endure, and all the people will go to their place in peace.” Do this for your own good, and the good of the people, for the long haul!

24-26. Jethro served his purpose and departed, and I think we can safely infer from context that Moses did indeed endure, and the people were able to go to their place in peace.

Finally, but most importantly, we must ask ourselves, where is Christ in this text? Moses points us to Christ and He appoints us to our places as elders, deacons, members in every local gathering according to our giftings, as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

There is much more we can pull from an important text like this, but I hope you spend time in prayer, seeking the Lord as you meditate on all the wisdom found here and its’ New Testament counterpart Acts 6:1-7.