INTRODUCTION:
Moses’ father-in-law came for a visit and as any astute, successful man, he had a sharp eye and observed Moses, his son-in-law, at work.
- His interest was more than a passing one, where he watched Moses at work and tried to compare his son-in-law with his work ethics or style.
- His interest was also more than a personal one though he wanted a successful son-in-law for his daughter and grandchildren. This would guarantee their future.
- His interest was in God’s as he was a humble, experienced and wise man and God wanted to use him to help his servant Moses.
This was a case where a good father-in-law offered counsel and not criticism.
- He offered his experience and not just cash to help solve problems.
- He offered to teach rather than spoon-feed.
- His solution was well-thought-out and workable.
I can compare Moses’ management to that of any well-meaning church’s pastor and leaders trying their best in a not too common area of work.
The missions strategist works on a budget with time, funds and personnel as three of the most valuable resources at hand. How he applies these at the field in various degrees at different times and intervals comes with experience and learning. Jethro’s ways and methods showed the way and lit up the path for this challenging job of managing missions work.
Here are five principles applied by Jethro in the passage. They were observation, investigation, consultation, mobilisation and execution.
1. OBSERVATION (v13 – 14a)
And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people,
Jethro Saw and Over Many Days.
He was the first customer surveyor. All eyes and ears (a reference to our senses). Careful observation reveals facts and evidence; with these come recommendations to solve problems or challenges at hand.
What did he see? People stood in line—morning to afternoon.
Today’s organization is reactive to problems and situations. It’s a knee jerk thing. They have no time to observe and apply wisdom. Many are fire-fighting the symptoms rather than curing the cause. Observation gives an understanding of the “cause and the effect.” It will bring us to the source of the symptoms after that yielding action steps to solve the problems.
2. INVESTIGATION (v14b – 16)
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?”
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.16 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.”
Jethro was interviewing, asking questions and investigating.
A. Jethro’s Questions
“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?”
B. Moses’ Answers
“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.”
C. Moses Answered the First Question
There were legitimate and real needs. Moses was doing it within the scope of his responsibilities. They were biblical and valid.
D. Moses did not answer the Second Question
Morning till evening. Long lines and “alone” doing it. The problems laid in the Delivery of justice, not justice itself. The Process and Strategy were not up to mark. It was also wrong in its methodology and execution.
It was too much business for Moses to undertake alone; it would harm his health and bring fatigue to himself. Worse, it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people.
Wisdom is, we must neither do less than our capability and responsibility nor over-work ourselves so much that we go beyond our strength.
3. CONSULTATION (v19-20)
v19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. v20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do.
Jethro exceeded Moses in his administration and management. But Moses excelled in the things of God. Yet Moses applied his ears to listen. He did not think that this would undermine or diminish his authority in any way.
A. Jethro counselled Moses face to face
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry James 1:19
- Listen now to my voice (Basic courtesy)
- I will give you counsel (Direct communication)
B. Jethro counselled Moses to seek God
- God will be with you (God must be in it)
- Stand before God for the people (Lead people to God)
- Bring the difficulties to God. (God will undertake the burden)
C. Jethro counselled Moses to lead the people
- Teach them the statutes and the laws
- Show them how they must walk and the work they must do
4. MOBILISATION (V 21, 22a)
v21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge.
The word “moreover” emphasise responsive actions. The critical act was in the human resource with Jethro laying out some clear criteria. Careful selection and a structured organisation were mandatory.
A. Selection Based on Traits and Abilities
In today’s world of human resourcing, both church and secular, there are prescriptions for recruitment. One most often quoted has these characteristics for a potential recruit: character, call, calibre, charisma and chemistry.
Under the inspiration of God, Jethro gave Moses the specifications of the recruits: able men, such as fear God, men of truth and hating covetousness.
Moses trained able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
B. Selection, Training and Organising
These were work processes. There was the division of labour, the span of control and unity of command.
- Let them judge the people at all times.
- Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to Moses, but every small matter they shall judge.
5. EXECUTION – GOING FAR AND ARRIVING (v22b, 23)
v22 So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
The idea of implementation is always to go far, deep and wide as far as the project goes. Executives failed to see that and thought speed is the main thing. They ended up doing all the jobs as they were unhappy with their teammates. The well-led team will perform sooner or later.
Moses listened to Jethro and did everything as advised and subsequently got the results (v24).
A. Outcomes from the Execution of Jethro’s Counsel (v 22b, 23)
- People would bear the burden with Moses
- It would be easier for Moses
- Fulfilled God’s command
- Moses would be able to endure, and all the people would also go to their place in peace.
B. Moses Renewed Leadership
Moses’ leadership was at a state of decline due to a lack of administrative and management wisdom. God sent Jethro as a renewal agent and built and increased his capacity. It released Moses from his poor leadership. The oft said statement, “Don’t expect any change if the method remains the same.”
It is vital to get outside help, especially when intractable situations rear their ugly heads. Sometimes there is a need for a specific type of personality or leadership to bring a culture or system change that produces momentum for positive development to take place. Jethro certainly brought a management culture and system change. He brought this about within the context of a God-honouring leadership.
