Exodus 18 Đ Moses gets a second councilor, as wise Father-in-law who teaches him to delegate

What concern does Jethro have for his son in law Moses?

18:13-18

What counsel does Jethro give Moses?

18:19-23

Moses doesnŐt understand yet that he doesnŐt have to do it all by himself. This chapter recounts Moses' interaction with his father-in- law Jethro, and his ultimate suggestion to institute a formal bureaucracy. First off, we should notice that Jethro is not an Israelite, but is labeled a "priest" (v. 1), blesses the Lord (v. 10-11), and sacrifices to the Lord with Moses, Aaron, and all of the elders of Israel partaking in that sacrifice (v. 12). So we have a non-Israelite priest worshiping and sacrificing to the Lord, which violates dogmatic notions about who can and cannot be a "priest". Next, we have the institution of a bureaucracy wherein there is no distinction between Church and State. The Church was the State, and this is the ideal for Israel and will return in a Millennial setting (cf. Isa. 2:3, Isa. 9:7).

Brings us to the story of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law.

Verses 9-11 are of interest:

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. (Exodus 18)

Jethro shows an interest in Moses' ability to delegate responsibility:

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: [phrase may mean to obtain a legal judgment from God. Judgment and justice were considered to be God's province, not man's. see below] (Exodus 18)

The phrase "enquire of God" has some interesting implications. Consider the following:

And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. (Genesis 25:22)

And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the LORD will command concerning you. (Numbers 9:8)

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; [but] ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment [is] God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring [it] unto me, and I will hear it. (Deuteronomy 1:17)

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.

"Of course all of this had the highest motivations and the best possible intentions, but it did not please Jethro at all. The High Priest of Midian had several generations of Priesthood training and experiences behind him, extending clear back to Father Abraham" (Third, p. 279).

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.

* "The remarkable quality of this powerful declaration is enhanced by the humility of this master teacher who gave it. So far as the scriptures show, Jethro had never divided the Red Sea. Jethro had never changed a staff into a serpent, nor performed the miracle of the leprous hand. Jethro had never been called upon to liberate between two and three million people from slavery nor command ten terrible plagues to ravage the Egyptian court. Jethro had never produced honey-dew bread from heaven nor made water gush forth in a flood from a rock. Jethro had not done any of these things for the simple reason that God had never commanded him to do them. Nevertheless, he knew that the Priesthood which he, Jethro, had conferred upon Moses, was the channel of power through which these mighty deeds were done. And now, when he saw Moses, this same mighty miracle-worker, this beloved son-in-law and husband of Zipporah, foolishly failing to delegate Priesthood responsibility to others, the wise old patriarch knew it was time to speak out. But when he was all through, when he had given the best advice which the principles of Priesthood procedure would seem to require, he humbly concluded by asking Moses to verify this advice with the Lord. '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.' These were the last words recorded in scripture from this wise and humble man. Jethro thereupon bade his loved ones farewell and departed once again into his own country. Moses never forgot these inspired instructions from Jethro. At the very first opportunity he carried them out. But that opportunity did not come for nearly a year" (Third, p. 280-281).

27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

"'Jethro made a valuable contribution to Moses in suggesting an organization of leaders over units of ten, fifty, one hundred and one thousand to instruct and to judge the people in all but the most difficult of matters, which would be passed up through the system of inferior and superior courts if necessary, until they reached Moses at the head. Moses showed commendable humility and wisdom in accepting the old Priest's advice. (A modern use of the same type of organization is seen in D&C 136.)' (Rasmussen, Introduction to the Old Testament, 1:82-83.)" (Student Manual, p. 124).

"Joseph Smith changed Exodus 18:1 to read 'the high priest of Midian', confirming what is recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 84:6-7, that Jethro held the Melchizedek Priesthood" (Student Manual, p. 124).

Just as Moses was so told to organize and not try to do everything ourselves, we too have the same instruction. If we are to be successful we must learn to delegate effectively. But how do we carry that out, how does one go about dividing up the responsibility?

What are some of the ways that you have divided up the responsibility.?

What has worked?

What has not?

For the purpose of this example I would like to suggest that we divide the responsibilities between the councilors along the three fold mission of the church.

What is the three fold mission of the church?

Proclaim the gospel, Perfect the saints, Redeem the dead.

Based on thatÉlets now make some specific assignments. President is over perfect the saints, 1st over Proclaim the gospel, 2nd over Redeem Dead, Secretary Keeping the presidency in line.

What are some of the responsibilities that go along with perfecting the saints?

Weekly lessons, Sick and ill, Home teaching family accountability

What are some of the responsibilities that go along with proclaiming the gospel?

Sports, social activities, Fellowshipping, service projects, welfare projects, missionary preparation, working with local missionaries, inactive member activation plans,

What are of the responsibilities that go along with redeeming the dead?

Temple work, genealogy work, temple preparation, tutoring, sacrament preparation, ushering, fast offering collection, music, blood drive

Home Teaching who gets that?

Each councilor is responsible for 1/3 of the home teaching

Each one of these can and should have a committee associated with them. What does each committee need?

Chairman, Assistant, Secretary, Committee members.

How do you following up to make sure that the committee is meeting and is effective?

Occasionally meet with the committee, Provide goals for the committee Hold committee members responsible for completion of those goals

Who can you get to be on the different committees?

EveryoneÉinvolve as many as possible