Leadership and Delegation

Jethro and Moses.

Read Exodus 18:13-24. Write answers to the following questions:

“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 inquire 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.”

·         What did Moses do every day?

Moses counseled or judged his people to know what God wanted them to do.

·         How long did it take?

It took from morning until evening.

·         What reason did Jethro give for why these activities were “not good”?

They weren’t good because it was wearing heavy on Moses.

·         How did Jethro suggest Moses should be spending his time?

Jethro suggested that Moses should call trustworthy, able men and teach them ordinances and laws.

·         What did Jethro propose to overcome the challenge?

He proposed that Moses have the men that he taught to be rulers of men to help assist him (Moses) in his work.

How does this account help you understand why each responsibility in a ward is important (see 1 Corinthians 12:14-22)?

“14 For the body is not one member, but many.

 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:”

This account helps you realize that we have need of every talent that one has to offer. That we’re not supposed to be the same because what good would that do if we were all the exact same? Also, the different talents work together to become a greater cause and talent.