The story of Jethro coming to the aid of Moses is an echo of an earlier story. In today’s reading, Moses has been charged with Israel’s care, but the task soon proves to be too much for one person. Observing his solo leadership efforts, Jethro says, “What you’re doing is not good” (Exodus 18:17).
Not good. Jethro’s words echo God’s words in Genesis 2: “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). If there is to be orderly ruling and subduing, if there is to be fruitfulness and multiplication as God has decreed, the work cannot be done alone. Just as God provided Eve to be a necessary ally to Adam, He now provides Jethro and the leaders of Israel to be necessary allies to Moses.
Don’t miss this: The concept of self-reliance is wholly foreign to the Christian faith. We are created to need God and others. We are designed for interdependence and community. There is no such thing as a Lone Ranger Christian. It matters that we understand this as we listen for the echo of our own story in that of Moses.
You and I may not be called to bring orderly rule to a nation, as Moses did, but we are called to submit our hearts to God as He brings orderly rule to our hearts as new creations in Christ. The Bible calls this sanctification. In God’s name, we take dominion over sin. We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (Acts 6:1–7). Like Moses and Adam, we are called to rule and subdue, to be fruitful and multiply. And like them, it is not good to attempt the good work alone. Nor is it necessary. God has provided necessary allies for us.
First, He has sent His Spirit to comfort and convict. Any effort to grow in holiness apart from the help of the Spirit will teach us, as Jethro says, “The task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone” (Exodus 18:18). But He also sends help in the form of Christian community. He provides us teachers to guide us through the Scripture, mentors to guide us in wisdom, brothers and sisters to encourage us and hold us accountable.
What sin are you striving to rule in your own strength? The thing is too heavy for you. Ask for the Spirit to train and convict you. Seek the ready help of the family of God. Trade self-reliance for the gift of dependence on the Spirit and interdependence with the saints. “In this way you will lighten your load, and they will bear it with you. If you do this, and God so directs you, you will be able to endure” (Exodus 18:22–23).
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39 thoughts on "Jethro’s Visit"
I relate so much to this Katie! Motherhood can feel so lonely and often I feel like I need to just figure it out and get through the day in my own strength. But God says there is a different way then the world suggests. A better way- to rely on Him and His strength, to set aside self reliance and seek community and help from others. I’m so encouraged that weight is not set completely on my shoulders and I have freedom to not be able to be all and do all!
Trading self-reliance for dependence on the Lord through interdependence on His community. This season God is teaching me not to keep my anxieties about TTC to myself. Shared with my cell leaders last night, and recognised that God used them to comfort and encourage my husband and I. God hears our pleas.
Prayer for you sister
Exodus 18:8 “Moses recounted to his father in law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israels sake, all the hardships that confronted them on the way, and how the Lord rescued them.”
I got to thinking about Mark 16:15 “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
And the I thought this:
Do you think Moses would have talked about the Lord the way he did if he hadn’t gone through what he went through?
Probably not.
The Lord tells us to tell the world about Him. What the Lord did in Moses life was unbelievable and honestly amazing if you ask me. The Lord was working in a huge way. Not just in Moses life but the people he encountered and all of Israel & Egypt.
Although it’s hard to go through things, Moses still trusted the Lord and did everything the Lord told him to say and do – even though it was difficult and he questioned the Lord at times. He still did it.
I said to myself: Are you currently going through a trial? Maybe the Lord is working in you so you can talk about Him in a way that you wouldn’t have before. He’s growing you.
This is how I feel in motherhood right now. I needed to hear that I can’t do it alone and to ask the spirit to help me. Thank you God for your word.
This devotional met me right where I’m at. I just found out this past Monday (July 25th) that my Mom is sick presently. She will be healed in Jesus’ name! I tend to be very independent & self-reliant. Holy Spirit, help me during this time to depend on You first and foremost, as well as other people who may be ready & willing to help (Christian & non-Christian). May I be quick to receive their blessings whether it their energy, money, and/or time. Help me to also be quick to bless other people that may currently or who may in the future be caring for a sick loved one.
As a children’s pastor at a small church, it often seems like I’m taking on the children’s ministry alone. Please pray with me that our church will have more people pouring into this next/current generation of believers. It breaks my heart to do it solo not just because it is wearisome, but because the future of the church needs discipleship and to be equipped. It doesn’t happen magically, we the Church do this task. Prayers appreciated. I need a committed, faithful team.
When I read Exodus 18, I thought the meaning is better to share the load then to do it alone.
After my dads accident a couple months ago so many people rallied around my family to lift us up in prayer. It was overwhelming in the best way to be honest. Some people would say something short like they were sorry and thinking about us, but others would continue to step up and show up even when the craziness at the beginning wore off. I believe in the word of God, but sometimes I feel like I struggle to really believe that’s it’s true for me too. God loves me as much as anybody else but sometimes I struggle to really feel that and understand it. I pray I too will keep believing and feeling the love God has for me and everybody else who might feel the same way.
Today’s reading is so beautiful and the message is so much needed, especially to those who are in leadership to accept help and counsel from others (amen Angie Mills). I see the humility Moses displayed when he took instructions from his father in law. I know many people who will not take well advices from the in-laws, perhaps it is naturally a hard relationship, but here Moses did. What an example! And he even took really well the opening line, “what you’re doing is not good”. I noticed in my church how the pastoral leaders have often rejected help and management advices from other people that God brought, and refused to delegate power to other qualified men to oversee the work to ease their load, which always leads to burn out (amen Michelle Patire to your excellent point). Wisdom is here, there is much safety in the multitude of counsellors -Proverbs 11:14, there is safety when you position yourself among wise advisors, One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm- Proverbs 13:20. There is always risk to the lone ranger leadership, which hints pride/self-reliance. I really love today’s devotional and the insights shared.
Thank you to our dear sisters who ask for prayers and share their burden so we can have the privilege of upholding your heavy arms like what Aaron and Hur did for Moses.
Praying for: Angie Mills (for the needed help in your children’s ministry and church overall), Dorothy (for your knee, so happy your camp experience was so lovely), Heidi (this busy season and upcoming seminary), for any unspoken requests and needs to be met by our Merciful God who sees every issue we face. The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed- Psalm 28:8.
Be blessed dear lovely sisters.
Just jumping in here at the end of a great day to say thank you all for your faithfulness. I am so inspired and encouraged by this community! May you all be blessed and may God show you how pleased he is the way you are following after him. I absolutely love the conversation and insight from each of your shares. Let’s keep opening our Bibles together!
In Exodus chapter 17, we see a little bit of ungratefulness from the Israelites. They were mad at Moses and didn’t trust Jesus was there to help them all.
I often wonder how many times we’ve been so selfish, so ungrateful to God over something so small. Well, of course, I hope that we learn to never be like this ( We have to always remember that God’s timing is PERFECT!). Dearest Father, please erase in us all spirits of ungratefulness. You don’t need to help us, and we don’t deserve your help… but you are a amazing God that helps us anyway!!! Help us to never give up on your plans for us. We are grateful for You Lord
and you know, we always need God to help us. We can never try to heal ourselves. God is with us always, so why try to do it on your own? And just sit and think about it for a second, isn’t it amazing how the God of the universe wants to help us heal so we can spread the good news of the Kingdom with others? Wow!
God, we love you. We need you so desperately, every single day. May we look to You always before anyone else, and rely on YOUR strength, and never ours.
In all things, dearest Father, You are worth being worshipped. Nothing is as great as YOU. Take our rebel hearts and make them yours❤️❤️
The story of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms is one of my favorites. It’s such a beautiful picture of the unity we have as believers and the responsibility we have to look out for each other. It reminds me to look for those that may be lonely or discouraged or defeated or worn out and to come alongside them and encourage them, build them up, support them and remind them of the wonderful promises of God. When my dad passed away a few years ago, there were so many believers that did this for me and my family—some in obvious ways and some quietly in the background where we didn’t see or realize until later. But we so appreciated and needed that. And I want to be that “upholder” for others as well!
I so enjoy reading your comments Jennifer Love Jesus!! and I’m loving this Book of Exodus. My favorite study so far!! God bless all of you here!
I’m back from camp. It was a blast. The children were so nice. I hurt my knee twice, to the point for a while I was using a walking stick and it was wrapped. (Yes the nurse needed nursing care, thank goodness there were two nurses at the camp when it happened.) I children looked after me as much as the adults. When I fell the second time three children were right there to help me up, asking “Are you okay nurse Dorothy are you okay?” Such love and Christian community. With the second camp, one of the couples and their son, that was going to help came a day early. In between the camps we went out to eat at a historic restaurant in town, I sat with them. The young boy wanted some of mom’s meal even though he had his own, he had eaten some of it but not enough. I took the rest of his fries and ate them. I’m now his adopted grandma. That whole camp he either hung with his parents or me. I felt honored.
My Christian community grew so much in the last ten days. I’m so happy I took the time off work and did it. I’m still exhausted but I loved every minute of it.
Be blessed and look around you for your Christian community.
Needed to be reminded of God’s graciousness towards us today. I have a one week old baby and twin three year olds and an almost six year old. I am so glad to have God doing this with me as well as the community He put in my life. It’s such a good reminder that I don’t have to do this alone.
Praying for you HEIDI
As women in the word of God, are we answering the call when others around us are in need? What opportunities are present to be like Aaron and Hur? There are times when we need to lean into support and times when we need to become support. May we recognize the opportunity and respond appropriately. Blessings, SRT family!
Michelle Patire I appreciate your insight today. Thank you for causing me to really look at and appreciate the passage regarding Jethro and how he helped so much.
I really liked Jen’s devotion along with the scriptures today. Seek the help of the family of God. Trade self-reliance for the gift of dependence on the spirit and interdependence with the saints. You will lighten your load and they will bear it with you.
Michelle, thank you for your insights.
ANGIE MILLS- definitely praying His plan to support those volunteers will be experienced soon. And that He will continue to breathe His strength and energy into them during this time.
Thank you for being such a support and encouragement for those serving under you. He absolutely sees you. ❤️
I posted a back maybe during the 2nd week (?) that I’ve recently been accepted into seminary- and while I’m so excited to see the What and Why of all He is leading me into, y’all it’s A LOT right now. I already have my degrees, a small practice I’ve owned for 5 years, I’ve been practicing in my field for 20 years- so this is most certainly a switch. I have 3 young kids and that’s busy enough on it’s own, let me assure you! ;) But something our pastor said yesterday really hit me- I realized I’ve been following God’s lead and stepping where He’s asked me to out of obedience. But it’s stopped there. I’ve gone into it trying to rely on me and my own strength and organizational skills and planning and blah blah blah and school hasn’t even started yet and I’m drained. My husband has turned into my “Aaron”, holding my arms up for me in my exhaustion. God hasn’t left me to fulfill His calling on my own- and for me to try to is a direct act of disobedience, distrust, and honestly idolizes myself and my perceive abilities. This whole passage hit so close to home today- so grateful!
We cannot serve God on our own. We must rely on the help we receive from:
-Jesus: He gives us satisfaction in rough & difficult & barren places.
-Close friends: They support us as we fight our battles.
-Godly advisors: They help us judge situations & make decisions.
Though this is true of the Christian life in general, it is especially true for those of us who work in Christian leadership to remember this. I am the children’s minister at our church. Though I have a great group of core volunteers, some are becoming burned out because they are the only volunteer in that class. I have been trying over a year to get them help, but people are not responding. I have been praying for God to change hearts and lead people to volunteer with us. He has answered in some positions, but not all of them yet. It can be discouraging. However, I know that God is good and He does everything for our good & His glory. This time of trial will help us to rely more on Him.
Please pray for the adults in our church to find ways to help the children in our church to grow closer to Christ. Pray for me as I lead my core leadership team, my volunteers, parents, and children. I want to lead each person into a closer relationship with Christ, which means that I also need to be continuing to rely on Christ & other godly people and not myself. This was a much needed teaching today.
Lord, help me to take this to heart and to walk in it. Help me to rely on You & others as I journey this life & lead others to a closer relationship with You.
Sorry you are seeing so many posts from me. My SRT app was acting up and was posting things as I was typing. Then it kicked me off.
10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. – Exodus 17:10-13. Wow I immediately see the image in my head. The Israelites won because of the solid rock foundation and support of other believers. Joshua (Aaron and Hur) obeyed and TRUSTED. So beautiful!!!
We cannot serve God on our own. We must rely on the help we receive from:
-Jesus: He gives us satisfaction in rough & difficult places.
-Close friends: They support us in our battles.
We cannot serve God on our own. We must rely on the help we receive from:
-Jesus: He gives us satisfaction in rough & difficult places.
We cannot serve God on our own. We must rely on the help we receive from:
I really like Jethro. He observes and cares for his son-in-law, Moses, and gives him advice. I think it is interesting that God works through Jethro to help Moses and the Israelites rather than instruct Moses to set up this structure of judges himself.
“We are created to need God and others.” Thankful for this reminder. Church community is so important, even if we think – “I’m good, I’ve got this” we still need each other, we were not created to be alone – and that includes our walk of faith. Pastors need others too. Just as Moses found out, the job is to great for just one -pastors need others to come along side of them in ministry to help “hold up their arms”. Father help me to not be to prideful, afraid or ashamed to ask the help of others when I need it. But most of all to first go to You and seek Your wisdom & direction and to ask to whom should I go. Amen.
I have a tendency to try and prove my capabilities, to others and to myself. As if by doing things on my own, by my own power, it makes means I am sufficient and strong. But which requires more strength and courage, to be vulnerable and ask for help and trust others and God or to grit through and trust only what I know? Going first to be vulnerable in relationship takes a lot more courage because the response is unknown but to not do so denies the opportunity for connection (which does good for everyone) and the chance for others to serve and be used by God, it denies an avenue for God to show up
I have a tendency to
“You cannot do it alone” (Exodus 18:18). A perfect reminder on the Monday morning. We are not called to carry the burdens of work alone. Even the good work Moses was doing in the wilderness was called “not good” by Jethro in Exodus 18. The work was unsustainable. Shared responsibility brings balance. There are seasons when a burden is heavy and extra work is needed. Yet, I am reminded that “it is vain for you to rise early and sit late, eating the bread and anxious toil, thus he provided for his beloved in his sleep” (Psalm 127:2). Father, remind me to lean upon Your leadership and wisdom at work. Show me how to bless while bestowing shared responsibility to my team. Help me lead well with balanced rhythms of work, rest and play. May my hands delegate well. May my countenance be joyful while working hard. Let my leadership bring glory to You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is honestly one of my favorite chapters in the entire Bible. I have loved the exchange of Jethro and Moses. <3 :)
First, Jethro reunites Moses with his wife and children. Then verse 7 is my favorite- "so Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and went into the tent." (Exodus 18:7 NKJV)
Jethro was concerned about Moses's well-being. The next day, he observes the work Moses is doing and tells him straight up, it is going to wear him and the people out… AKA burn out!
Jethro steps in and helps Moses delegate his authority to others who are trustworthy. He does this because he cares for Moses and the work God has called him to.
I just love Jethro. The fact that he worships (offers sacrifices) after hearing all that God did for Israel in Egypt and in their journey just delighted me.
Jethro is #goals. He is a true caretaker of God's people, full of wisdom, and honest worshipper to God.
I thank the Lord for including this story for us to see. The wisdom of delegation – how we are called to bear each other's burdens in community. Also, having someone we submit to is something I notice. Moses bowed to Jethro in verse 7- in honor, respect, and submission. May I be submitted to people who care for me, like Jethro to Moses.
I also see the value of local political authority. There is much purpose in having just local government in place here in the States. I pray I continue to see wisdom about voting for local officials.
Lord thank you for Your Grace and Mercy as You sanctify me.
Great reminder today, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. But we can’t do it alone! ❤️
Great reminder today, that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. But, we can’t do it alone. ❤️
Great reminder today, that we can do all
So thankful for the gift of the Holy Spirit to bring us God’s wisdom and help.
A little off topic but heard a teaching about how we see Christ in Ex. 17:6 that I wanted to share.
“I [God] am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.”
So God places Himself between the rock and Moses. Moses stuck the rock (and striking God?) with the staff. The water flowed giving the people what they needed. Paul refers back to this event in I Cor. 10:1-5: “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
Have a blessed day Shes