Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
Exodus 18:10-24
10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” 12 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God. 13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.
During my college years I had the privilege of being surrounded by a few godly men of God who nurtured my personal and spiritual growth. The one who stands out though was a man named Chip Dickey. Pastor Chip played the role of grandfather in my life. He was one who I went to for wisdom, encouragement and advice while I was trying to navigate through my college years. He played a major role in my development as a man of God and a minister of the gospel to which I am thankful for even to this day.
In Exodus 18 we see a great example of mentorship displayed. Moses’ father in law Jethro is in town and catches us with Moses. Through their interaction he hears of the greatness of the Lord and what He had done with the people of Israel. Jethro then gets right with the Lord and worships Him. The following day, Jethro is able to step in and see a glimpse of how Moses does ministry. Because of his love for Moses, Jethro invests into Moses’ life. The value of mentorship.
It has been said before that our Christian life is personal but not private. The reality is that we cannot truly live the christian life alone. We need other believers to fellowship and connect with, but also we need people who are willing to invest in our lives as mentors as Jethro was with Moses, choosing then in turn to reciprocate that process.
So it begs the question: What makes for a good mentor in the faith? I believe it is someone who cares enough to step into another’s life and invest in them for their benefit and growth. Jethro displayed a heart of compassion and care for Moses and his ministry as a leader of the people of Israel. His main intent was not to be critical, but to step in and share the truth in love on how to more effectively lead God’s people. We do not invest in other’s lives for our own glory, but for God’s glory and the growth and maturity of the individual we are mentoring.
After Moses heard the wisdom from Jethro, he could have just blown him off. I mean, he was Moses, the man God had chosen to lead the people out of Egypt. His mindset could have been that he didn’t need any counsel or wisdom. However, that was not how he responded. In verse 24 it says that Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law. Moses respected the wisdom that was given to him, humbled himself, and responded by implementing the truth into his life. Never underestimate the power of wise counsel. The call is to be like Moses and humble ourselves to allow wise and Godly individuals to step into our lives, speak truth, and then respond.
The value of mentorship. Do you have a mentor/mentors in your life? Are you a mentor to others who may be young in the faith? May we come to full understanding of the value of mentorship and be intentional in giving and receiving it!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father Lord, thank you for this narrative regarding mentorship in Exodus 18. Help me to see the true value and need of mentors in my life. Help me to humble myself and allow godly influences to speak into my life. Also, open up opportunities for me to be a mentor to someone else. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.