Exodus - Part 21 - Exodus 18:13-19:8

Moses and the Israelites are near Mt. Sinai. After the battle with the Amalekites, Moses’s father-in-law Jethro comes to visit. He saw how Moses would spend all day as a judge for any disputes or questions about the law. People would come to him all day long.

Jethro told Moses that this practice was not good because it would wear Moses out. So, he advised Moses to appoint rulers over the people. These were to be able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness. In other words, trustworthy leaders. They would handle all the small issues and anything they couldn’t resolve would be brought to Moses. Moses took his advice and some time after, Jethro went back to his land.

Jethro’s advice allowed Moses to move from a place of just surviving to a way of thriving. Hearing and resolving everyone’s disputes was important, but it took away from other important tasks. He learned to delegate the responsibility of leading the people and prevented himself from burnout. This principle is true today in modern life. No one person can do everything themselves. If we try to do everything ourselves, we quickly become exhausted.

Three months after leaving Egypt the Israelites are at the foot of Mt. Sinai. God calls to Moses from the mountain and Moses goes up. God tells Moses to speak to the people saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

God reminded the Israelites how He supported them like an eagle with an eaglet. An eagle will break up the comfortable nest to encourage eaglets to fly. While they are learning to fly, the eagle will fly under the eaglet to catch it if it falls, and encourage the eaglet to keep flying. It’s a wonderful metaphor for God’s provision. These words also established a conditional covenant between God and the Israelites. If they listened and kept the covenant with God, they would be blessed. When Moses relayed the message the people responded and said that they would do everything the Lord said.