Leadership lessons from Jethro…

Not Jethro Tull.  Or Jethro from the Beverly Hillbillies.   Sunday morning at actionchurch we talked about Moses’ Father-in-law Jethro coming to visit him.  I didn’t get a chance to talk about the second half of Exodus chapter 18.  It’s an amazing story…so if you’ll allow me a little “sermon overtime” here goes:

Like every Son-in-law, Moses took  Jethro on a little tour of the “family business”. He took his father-in-law to the “office” and showed him around.   He showed Jethro how he was leading the people.  Showed him how he spent all day settling disputes and making decisions and judgements.  Jethro’s response…

 17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. 18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. 19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice…  Exodus 18: 17-19

Wow, that must have stung.  To be told by your father-in-law that the way you are doing things… the way you are leading… is “Not Good!” had to be painful.  The important point of the story though, is that Moses listened to his recently-converted-pagan-priest-father-in-law.  He didn’t resist.  Moses didn’t say, “I’m the guy with the shepherds stick that turns into a snake”.  “I’m the guy that told Pharoah ‘let my people go'”!   He didn’t say, “I was the one talking to God when the Red sea parted…I think I know a little something about leading people”!

Instead, Moses listened to his father-in-laws wisdom.  He delegated his reponsibility.  He chose “capable men” and appointed them as leaders.  He changed the way he led his country.   Jethros wise advice changed the way armies, nations, countries and churches are lead to this day!  

Take the time to read the whole story here:  Exodus 18.  

God sends people to help us grow as leaders.   Sometimes they have to tell us that the way we do things is “not good”.   Most of the time it hurts to hear. Most of the time they are right… 

Who has God sent to you?

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