ADVICE TO KEEP THE PEACE
If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure,
and all these people can go home in peace.H7965
Exodus 18:23
Exodus 18:23 (VOICE) If you do what I advise and God directs you, then you will be able to handle the pressure. Not only that, but all these people standing around needing help, they will be able to return to their tents at peace.
What advice had Jethro given Moses? When Jethro brought his daughter Zipporah and grandsons to their father, Moses, in the wilderness he was concerned about the way Moses was handling disputes among the Israelites. Moses was trying to do it all himself, but he was just one man trying to govern at least two million people! Yikes!!! Jethro cautioned him against burning out and proposed a flow chart for delegating this responsibility. He instructed Moses to choose from the people wise, godly men of character, who would not be tempted to take bribes, to judge the lesser disputes among all the people. Only the most important cases would be brought before Moses. In this way, the people would still remain at peace with each other, and Moses would not be physically, spiritually, and emotionally taxed beyond human limits.
Warren Wiersbe describes Jethro’s wisdom:
Exodus 18:14–23 Jethro knew that Moses’ leadership was crucial for the future success of Israel and that any activity that drained his energy or wasted his time was bound to hurt the nation. Also, he didn’t want his son-in-law to wear himself out and leave Zipporah a widow and his two grandsons without a father. No one man could minister personally to two million people and last very long. Moses had to confess that the work was too much for him (Num. 11:14). (10)
Jesus taught us “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). We, like Moses, need to realize that many times we cannot be the peacemaker alone. We must rely on the Holy Spirit within us, but we must also have the wisdom to seek godly advice and help when the task becomes overwhelming. Where do we need to be peacemakers? In our homes, with our extended families, in our schools, in our churches, in our workplaces, and sometimes in our communities—wherever God has planted us. If God sends us a “Jethro” to advise us not to try to do everything ourselves, we need to listen.
Father, help us to be peacemakers in our sphere of influence. Help us to work with others to achieve peace. May Your peace flow through us. May we be living examples of shalom—nothing missing, nothing broken, completely whole!