Wednesdays with Moses

Read Exodus 18:13-16 – And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Mosesfrom morning until evening. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” (NKJV)

Every Christian leader has likely encountered this moment in Moses’ life and struggled with what it really means for us. Moses’ system of leadership seemed normal to him, but his father-in-law was quick to point out its flaws. Is this just normal conflict between a man and his wife’s family or is there something in Moses’ thinking that needed shifting? Clearly, Moses believed he was doing what he had to do. This is his job and the people needed him to referee their disputes. After all, he was the man of God among these people so his decisions were the ones they sought. But there’s something more happening here. Moses, like many of us, put himself in an untenable place. He decided that he was a necessary link to people finding the right solutions. The people can’t live without help and he concluded that he’s the only one who can help them. One can either see that Moses had too high of an opinion of his role or too low of an opinion of the people and any others that might be able to help. Here’s a trap for every leader. When you believe you’re the only one who can do what needs to be done, you widen the gap between yourself and everyone else. Such an attitude overvalues yourself, likely leaving you with too much to do, and that attitude undervalues the gifts of others. Jethro will offer Moses a plan, but first Moses will have to change his thinking about himself and about everyone else.

– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.