Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 138

"Thus says the LORD: I remember you, the kindness of your youth, the love of your bethrothal, when you went after Me in the wilderness, in a land not sown." Jeremiah 2:2

Text: Exodus 18 : 13-16

MUTUAL LOVE

God loved Israel! He did many things for the nation out of His deep and infinite love for His people. The prophet Jeremiah, reflecting the voice of God, spoke about the beautiful love that the children of Israel had for Him as they left Egypt and made their way to the Promised Land!

MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNED ALONG THE WAY

Moses had fared rather well in leading the children of Israel. His leadership must be described as remarkable, because he was literally a novice at leadership at this high level. One saving factor was that he had a humble heart and had a good listening ear.

“And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people;
and the people stood before Moses from morning to 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?'”
EXODUS 18:13-14

1. Careful observations

Jethro may have been quite old, but he was most astute in his observation. He was naturally curious as to how Moses was going to lead the children of Israel. He knew that there were at least a million people out there, depending on Moses’ instruction and leadership! What was Moses’ plan of action as he sought to fulfill his ministry as the leader of Israel? What he observed disturbed him immensely. Moses seemed to be doing the work all by himself!

2. Astute questions

Jethro had to express his heartfelt concern. Did Moses plan to continue to do what he was doing? Was he planning to minister to a million people all by himself? “What is this thing that you are doing for the people?” This was an inevitable question that Jethro had to ask his son-in-law!

A HUMBLE REPLY

Moses was not upset by Jethro’s questions! He knew his father-in-law meant well. He answered very simply.

“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.”
EXODUS 18:15-16

Moses felt that he was just trying to help people understand God and His laws!