Exodus 18:10-27, CEB

Sharing is not part of the human psyche.  We are raised to possess and control.  But in the story of Moses there is another moment where God offers a holy perspective through Jethro his father-in-law.  The idea of lessening the burden of carrying the entire load of people is referred to as delegation of authority.  It’s another way to say shared leadership.  Jethro offers Moses some insight about shared leadership.

Partner with the right people who possess godly wisdom!
The next day Moses sat as a judge for the people, while the people stood around Moses from morning until evening.  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What’s this that you are doing for the people?  Why do you sit alone, while all the people are standing around you from morning until evening?” Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.  When a conflict arises between them, they come to me and I judge between the two of them.  I also teach them God’s regulations and instructions.”  Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing isn’t good.  You will end up totally wearing yourself out, both you and these people who are with you.  The work is too difficult for you.  You can’t do it alone.”   Exodus 18:13-17

Choose trustworthy, compassionate, and capable people!
“Explain the regulations and instructions to them.  Let them know the way they are supposed to go and the things they are supposed to do.  But you should also look among all the people for capable persons who respect God.  They should be trustworthy and not corrupt.”   Exodus 18:20-21

Develop a system that connects people to God and each other!
“Set these persons over the people as officers of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.  Let them sit as judges for the people at all times.  They should bring every major dispute to you, but they should decide all of the minor cases themselves.  This will be much easier for you, and they will share your load.”  Exodus 18:21-22

Listen for God’s next for the people!
Moses listened to his father-in-law’s suggestions and did everything that he had said.  Moses chose capable persons from all Israel and set them as leaders over the people, as officers over groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.  They acted as judges for the people at all times.  They would refer the hard cases to Moses, but all of the minor cases they decided themselves.  Then Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, and Jethro went back to his own country.   Exodus 18:24-27

Hear the W.O.W., the Words of Wisdom,
“When we share our life, we expand the kingdom!”