Exodus 18:1-27

Even the strongest and most capable of leaders needs help and advice from others.  It is often very hard for us to see our own failures and weaknesses.  We can become blind to solutions that others can easily see.  It is essential that we realize how much we need one another to help us serve the Lord to our full potential.  A wise leader will always be open to counsel and not be threatened by the advice of others.  God is faithful to provide the help and encouragement that we need, but we must be humble enough to recognize our needs and be encouraged by others.

MOSES IS ENCOURAGED BY THE RETURN OF HIS FAMILY: During the confrontation in Egypt Moses left his family with his father-in-law for their own protection.  Moses has been through many difficult days and had to face these situations without the comfort of his family.  Now that a certain level of stability has been established, it must have been a great encouragement to have his father-in-law bring his wife and children back to him.  Certainly Jethro would miss his daughter and grandsons but he knew that they needed to be with Moses and so he brought them to him.  Our families are a great source of blessing and comfort to us.  While there may be times where brief separation may be required in order to further the work of God; as a rule, God wants us to be together so we can help one another through the trials of life.  God gave Moses the encouragement he needed through his family.

MOSES IS ENCOURAGED BY THE RECOUNTING OF GOD’S PROVISION: When Jethro arrives Moses is able to tell him all about the amazing things that the Lord has done.  Leadership can be a very lonely place but God is faithful to provide the encouragement we need when we need it.  What a blessing it must have been for Moses to be able to share about all that God had done over the last several months in Egypt.  Sometimes it is important for us to be able to open up and share with others about what God is doing in our lives.  When we share our sorrows and blessings with others life becomes so much easier and more enjoyable.  Sorrow shared is sorrow divided.  Joy shared is joy multiplied.  Leaders must look for others with whom they can share their joys and sorrows.

MOSES IS ENCOURAGED BY RECEIVING WISE COUNSEL: As soon as Jethro saw what Moses was doing on a day to day basis, he knew it was too much for any person to handle.  Many times leaders begin to think that they are the only ones who can handle things and they end up taking on far too much responsibility.  The wise leader will look for others who can be trained to help carry the load and will then delegate responsibilities to them.  Moses was too close to the situation to see the problem or a solution but Jethro could see both the problem and the solution.  Jethro was wise enough to give Moses the advice he needed and Moses was humble enough to listen to the advice of his father-in-law.  This is a great example of how the family and the body of Christ in general should function.  We must always be willing to help one another, train one another, serve one another and receive help from one another.  God is faithful to provide the help and encouragement that we need but we must be humble and willing to accept that help from within the body of Christ.