Not a Lone Ranger: Ex 18:13-27

Ex 18:13-27 13) The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood round him from morning till evening. 14) When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand round you from morning till evening?” 15) Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will.

Ex 18:13-27 16) Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and laws.” 17) Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18) You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.

Ex 18:13-27 19) Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20) Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 21) But select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain — and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Ex 18:13-27 22) Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23) If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” 24) Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Ex 18:13-27 25) He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26) They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. 27) Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.

1: The PROBLEM (18:13-18)

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a)

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) Acts 14:23; 20:17 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders [Or Barnabas Ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 20:17) From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) Acts 21:18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) 1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) 1 Timothy 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) Titus 1:5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might Straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint [Or ordain] elders in every town, as I directed you.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) James 5:14 Is any one of you sick 2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) James 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) 1 Peter 5:1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow- elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:

2: The SOLUTION (18:19-22a) 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to Those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” [Prov. 3:34]

3: The RESULTS (18:22b-27)

What does He want me to do?