June 23, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 18 – Lived Wisdom – When Leadership Is Shared
What we can learn from Moses and Jethro about responsibility, delegation, and spiritual order
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Bible Text – Exodus 18 (KJV)
1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
5 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
12 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
13 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.
14 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?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.
17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
18 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.
19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25 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.
26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Introduction
Leadership is a challenge—especially when you try to do everything yourself. Moses faced exactly this issue: the entire people of Israel came to him with concerns, conflicts, and questions—from morning till evening. But then came Jethro, his father-in-law, a wise observer with a clear outside perspective. His words and advice are still relevant today—not only for leaders, but for anyone bearing responsibility.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Commentary
1. Jethro’s Visit (Verses 1–12)
The first part describes Jethro’s visit—not alone, but with Zipporah, Moses’ wife, and their two sons. This family reunion is touching. It shows that even a great leader like Moses was not isolated—family remained central in his life.
Moses shares with Jethro all that God has done—rescue from Egypt, hardships on the journey, divine intervention.
Jethro’s response is worship:
“Blessed be the Lord …” (v. 10)
This reminds us: God’s deeds deserve testimony and shared joy. Faith grows when others recognize and praise God in our lives.
2. Observation and Advice (Verses 13–23)
The next day, Jethro sees how Moses judges the people all day. His assessment is clear:
“What you are doing is not good.” (v. 17)
Not harsh criticism, but wise concern. Jethro sees: Moses is overwhelmed, the people are exhausted—the system won’t last.
Jethro’s solution: delegation.
He advises Moses to appoint capable men to lead smaller groups:
-
Over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens
-
Qualifications: God-fearing, trustworthy, not greedy (v. 21)
The goal: Relief and effectiveness—for everyone’s benefit.
Still, Moses remains the spiritual leader—handling difficult cases and teaching God’s ways (v. 20). Jethro doesn’t replace Moses—he strengthens his role.
3. Implementation (Verses 24–27)
Moses listens—and that’s not to be taken for granted. Many leaders might resist. But Moses is humble enough to receive good counsel.
He puts the system into place, selects trustworthy leaders, and reorganizes the structure—and it works.
At the end, Jethro quietly returns home. A man of God helped another—and stepped back.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Summary
-
Moses was overwhelmed—but open to correction.
-
Jethro was an outsider—but full of divine wisdom.
-
Delegation created a sustainable order that benefited both Moses and the people.
-
God remains at the center: through prayer, teaching, justice, and shared worship.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Message for Us Today
This story is incredibly relevant. In a time when many in leadership—whether in church, family, school, or work—reach their limits, Exodus 18 tells us: You don’t have to carry it all alone.
-
Share responsibility.
-
Trust others with tasks.
-
Focus on spiritual maturity and character when choosing team members.
-
Be open to advice—even from the outside.
God blesses structure, humility, and teamwork.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Reflection Questions
Are you carrying too much alone? What could you delegate or let go of? Who are your “Jethros”—people who can speak truth to you? Are you willing to stop doing everything yourself—and let God work through a team? Do you know someone who might need your wise and loving counsel?
“You will surely wear yourself out … The work is too heavy for you.” (v. 18)
Maybe God is speaking this verse to you today.
~~~~~~~~~~
June 22 – 28, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 13
The Test of Faith
Read online here
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Introduction
Abraham – the father of faith. And yet, his faith wasn’t a static possession, but a journey shaped by challenges, doubts, and divine tests. In Chapter 13 of Patriarchs and Prophets, it becomes clear: true faith proves itself not in the easy times, but in the difficult ones.
God tested Abraham with a command that is almost impossible to comprehend: “Sacrifice your son, your only son, whom you love.” This story is not just an ancient tale about a man long ago – it is a mirror reflecting our own journey of faith.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Commentary
1. The Beginning of Doubt (Hagar and Ishmael)
- Abraham accepts God’s promise – but does not wait patiently.
- Sarah’s suggestion to take Hagar as a wife is a human solution to a divine promise.
- Consequences: unrest, jealousy, brokenness in the family, mockery, and rejection.
Lesson: When we replace God’s timing with our own methods, we create conflict, not solutions.
2. God’s Promise Stands (Isaac is born)
- Despite human mistakes, God renews His promise.
- Isaac – the child of the miracle – becomes the center of the covenant.
- Ishmael and Hagar are sent away – with divine comfort, but not without pain.
Lesson: God’s plans prevail, even when we take detours. His faithfulness remains constant.
3. The Great Test – The Sacrifice of Isaac
- Abraham receives the hardest command: Sacrifice your son.
- Inner struggle, silence, prayer – no excuses, only obedience.
- Isaac shows willing obedience – he is not forced, but trusts.
- At the last moment, God intervenes: a ram is sacrificed in Isaac’s place.
Lesson:
- Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
- God tests to strengthen – not to destroy.
- Obedience is rewarded – even when we don’t understand everything.
4. God’s Covenant and Prophetic Meaning
- God confirms His covenant with Abraham through an oath.
- The ram as a substitute offering prophetically points to Christ.
- Even angels gain deeper understanding of the plan of redemption through this scene (see 1 Peter 1:10–12).
Lesson: This story is a prophetic shadow of Golgotha.
God gave what Abraham did not have to give – His only Son.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Summary
Chapter 13 shows: Faith doesn’t mean never doubting – it means trusting despite the doubts.
Abraham’s life is a journey from impatience to surrender, from human solutions to divine obedience.
The greatest evidence of his faith was not words, but action. And in that obedience, God’s grace is revealed: He saves – through a sacrifice He Himself provides.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Message for Us Today
God doesn’t test to destroy, but to strengthen.
True faith is shown in action, not in talk.
Obedience to God may cost sacrifice – but it is never in vain.
God’s timing is better than our own impatience.
Our trust in God often becomes most visible when we understand the least.
══════════════════════════════════════════════
Reflection Question
What would you do if God asked something “incomprehensible” of you?
Are there “Ishmaels” in your life – human solutions trying to replace God’s promises?
How is your obedience shown today – even when no one sees it?
Do you know the God who provides “a ram” for you – the solution, when you are ready to trust?
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/23-06-2025-exodus-chapter-18-believe-his-prophets/
