• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

Text: Exodus 18: 17-23

MEDITATION

Exodus 18:17-23

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.
19 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.
20 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.
21 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. 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.”

MEANINGFUL APPLICATION TO LIFE

1. The wisdom of Jethro

a. He thought that Moses’ approach was not very wise.

i. Moses would wear out in the long run.

ii. The people would also wear out, waiting to see Moses.

b. The counsel of Jethro

i. Moses must not continue to do this work alone.

ii. Others must help out.

iii. Moses will continue to fulfil his God-given task.

c. Teaching the people:

i. Teach the people the laws of God.

ii. Show them the walk that must be maintained.

iii. The work that must be done.
The statutes and laws of God must be understood and appreciated.

d. Selecting leaders

i. Able people

ii. God-fearers

iii. Men of truth

iv. Not covetous

e. Appointment of leaders

i. Rulers of thousands

ii. Rulers of hundreds

iii. Rulers of fifties

iv. Rulers of tens

f. They will help with the work of judging. They will ease the burden of Moses.

g. Potentially good results:

i. Moses will be able to endure.

ii. The people will go away in peace.

经文：出埃及记 18:17-23

沉思

《出埃及记 18:17-23》
17 摩西的岳父说：“你这做的不好。
18 你和这些百姓必都疲惫，因为这事太重，你独自一人办理不了。
19 现在你要听我的话，我为你出个主意，愿神与你同在。你要替百姓到神面前，将案件奏告神。
20 又要将律例和法度教训他们，指示他们当行的道、当做的事。
21 并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人，就是敬畏神、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人，派他们做千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长，管理百姓。
22 叫他们随时审判百姓，大事都要呈到你这里，小事他们自己可以审判。这样，你就轻省些，他们也可以同当此任。

23 你若这样行，神也这样吩咐你，你就能受得住，这百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处。”

在生活里有意义地应用

1. 叶忒罗的智慧

a. 他认为摩西这做的不好

i. 摩西长期这样做会疲惫

ii. 百姓也会应为等见摩西而疲惫

b. 叶忒罗的主意

i. 摩西不能继续独自一人办理这工作

ii. 需要其他人的帮助

iii. 摩西会继续做上帝给予他的工作

c. 教训百姓：

i. 将上帝的律例和法度教训他们

ii. 指示他们当行的道

iii. 当做的事

上帝的律例和法度必须被百姓理解和感激。

d. 拣选首领

i. 有才能的人

ii. 敬畏神

iii. 诚实无妄

iv. 恨不义之财的人

e. 首领的当任

i. 千夫长

ii. 百夫长

iii. 五十夫长

iv. 十夫长

f. 他们会帮助摩西同当审判的工作。摩西就会轻省些。

g. 可能有的好结果：

i. 摩西将能受得住

ii. 百姓也都平平安安归回他们的住处