Jethro is a fascinating character in Exodus who is a significant character in the life of Moses. Jethro was in all likelihood a polytheist who worshipped several gods and certainly believed there was more than one. He sheltered Moses as he was fleeing from Egypt and gave his daughter Zipporah in marriage to Moses. Then in Exodus 18 there is the passage beloved of Christian leaders everywhere where Jethro gives Moses advice on delegating leadership. I’ve heard any number of talks on leadership with this example.
What struck me afresh in this story was the little bit before his famous advice on delegation.
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you!
Exodus 18:17-19
Jethro’s words should be read in context, he’s visiting Moses with his family. They’ve had meals, they’ve talked, listened to each other and cared for each other. In other words, what happens here happens in the context of relationship. Jethro speaks to someone who is prepared to listen to him. Yet even so, he is refreshingly direct.
“What you are doing is not good.”
Jethro having studied Moses saw that something was wrong. How often does our courage fail us with our friends when we see them doing something wrong? We might say something to someone else but the idea of confronting even a friend, especially a friend, is a task we readily avoid.
“You will certainly wear yourselves out…”
We need to be willing to say to our friends that sin causes us to perish, we will literally wear ourselves out as a result. It will cause death, decay, despair and disappointment.
“This thing is too heavy for you.”
If ever there was a year that illustrated that life can be ‘too heavy’ it’s 2020. There are thousands of people exhausted, frustrated, disappointed, scared, uncertain, angry and all these emotions are fuelled and amplified by the very worst aspects of social media and echoed back to them thousand times over.
“You are not able to do this alone.”
Lockdown. Social distancing. Isolation. Quarantine. Rule after rule trying to keep people away from each other and after a while, the dam bursts and people gather. Together. Crowds. Parties.
People instinctively believe, and live as if it was true, that life is not meant to be lived alone. They do often reject the deeper truth that it is God with whom they are primarily made to live with and for.
Jethro doesn’t hold back he tells Moses to listen and obey him and God be with you! There is an exhausted world that needs to hear this simple message:
What you are doing is not good.
This thing is too heavy for you.
You will certainly wear yourselves out.
You are not able to do this alone.
And then simply tell them Jesus’ words.
28 Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus lifts the heavy burden off exhausted and worn out people and brings life, light and love to their souls. It’s what the world needs, it’s what I need.
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