QT 9 Apr 10

Ex 18:18 (NIV) You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.

NOTE: This is good counsel for any man for a number of reasons. One, people business is very wearing. Two, not only can't one person handle it alone, it usually is not good. When one person becomes the supreme voice of justice and reason, it time, it perverts into something very ugly. There is protection in wise counsel of many wise individuals. Unfortunately, too many people prefer to tune themselves in to the voices they want to hear, or tickle their fancy, than to really listen to godly counsel.

Ex 18:19-23 (NIV) Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21 But select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain — and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

NOTE: Jethro gives many point of wise counsel. First, we need to take things to God. They are not brought to us, but are for God to decide. Even when someone asks me for advice, I need to remember to add the quick prayer for wisdom. Two, we should be always teaching people decrees, laws, and, I would add, principles. Three, we should always have application in our teaching, showing people how to live and the duties they are to perform. Fourth, we must raise up "capable men (and women)" who are honest to lighten the load, and (now I will spiritualize this to my time and culture) to make disciples in the church. Too few people in the body of Christ take their role as a member of the body seriously. Consequently, the body is often not able to stand the strain, nor is the body satisfied.