And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of GOD:
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
And Moses chose 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. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. (Exo 18:13-15, 17-18, 25-26)
Here we have the establishment of a tiered judicial system and the practice of delegating responsibilities to others over smaller groups. Jethro recognized that Moses was wearing himself out trying to manage literally millions of people and more requests than one person could handle. Setting up a tiered system of lesser judges and letting them manage locally would save all the people. This is the pattern for our own judicial system, both state and federal.
It is also a pattern of authority and responsibility that is useful for any organization, with the caveat that these judges were not rulers, but servants. Public servants are to serve the people, and in this case, interpret and apply the Law and settle disputes and disagreements. They served along side the priests who represented the people to GOD.
Today we have many who think that public service somehow makes them a ruler, or that a position of ministry makes them an authority instead of a servant. Jesus said those who would be great must be the servant of all, and He lived that example. GOD's people are to serve, to minister to one another and to those without in love so that others see Jesus in us. GOD's people are to learn and grow in Christ, for the servant of GOD is to be wise and have the mind of Christ. GOD's people are to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who came to seek and to save the lost. As they go, they are to proclaim the Good News of Salvation through faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to those around them, that they might hear and believe and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. Just as GOD calls His servants to serve, GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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