Week 5 Exodus 18
There’s only one Jethro in the bible: Jethro the priest of Midian.
Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law. After Moses had escaped from Egypt he settled in Midian and married a woman named Zipporah – Jethro’s daughter. By chapter 18 Jethro already had a long connection with Moses. I’ve thought for a long time that Jethro was an okay guy. Recently though I’ve had a niggling doubt.
The thing is this: Jethro observed his son-in-law’s work regimen and figured he’d burn out. So he advised Moses to offload some of his responsibilities. And Moses did just that: Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
What surprises me is that Exodus says nothing about the Lord authorizing the organizational change.
Was it bad or dangerous advice? I don’t think so.
Was Jethro a friendly & believing advisor? Sounds like it (he had told Moses that: now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods).
Was Moses reprimanded for taking independent action? Doesn’t look like.
Is there any law against taking some personal initiative? Not really.
So here’s the thing. I don’t necessarily think that Jethro’s advice was not good. From outside appearances it was realistic practical sensible & efficient. But that’s not my concern. My concern is that there’s no hint that the advice came from the Lord. And good advice not endorsed by the Lord could end up being questionable advice.
Note: quotes from Exodus 18:1 24 10-11 (NASB)