Burning Out For God

Exodus 18:5,9,12,17-23 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the desert, where he was camped near the mountain of God… Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians… Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God… Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 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. 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. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 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. 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. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

Well meaning visitors are often a great blessing as was Jethro whose visit brought Moses and the Israelites much comfort both then and even today. Jethro’s visit was not only a formality but because God led him to.

We know that God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and take them to a land of their own but how then could Moses pass on the mantle of leadership to others?

Jethro clearly had an agenda to visit Moses both to glorify God for His blessing upon Moses and the Israelites and to offer advice. Clearly God purposed this visit and Jethro complied.

The burnt offering and sacrifices Jethro made to God are added proof that He was here on a mission and his role as a priest comes to the fore.

The advice he offers Moses stemmed from the exhausting work Moses had to put in to help the Israelites. Two million needs could not be met by one man, Moses, and this was reflected in the amount of time Moses spent as judge and leader to this nation.

Clearly Moses was not God but was sent by God to lead and he still was challenged by the humanness of his person. He was limited to two ears that could listen to one voice at a time and one mind to offer God’s direction.

When we compare Moses to Jesus, we can see that there is a vast difference as much as there are similarities. Clearly Moses operated in God’s wisdom and direction whereas Jesus operated in His own wisdom under God’s blessing.

As christians, we often operate in our own strength and wear ourselves out but we need to remember that the church is a body that has many parts. Different members of the body have different gifts and all put together glorify God.

No one person is sufficient to cover all aspects of faith but collectively God is to be served and is glorified in our collective service as children of God.

Some of us are gifted teachers, some are blessed as intercessors, others as administrators, few as evangelists, some as ministers of hospitality, etc. Collectively we are God’s love manifest in human form to serve the world around us and glorify Jesus’ name.

If you are one who has not been saved by Jesus yet, I invite you to call on Him today and be filled by His Holy Spirit that will transform you into being of great worth to Him and His kingdom and to be filled with divine purpose and a life of freedom from sin.

If you are one who is saved and is weary from your work for Christ, know that God did not purpose us to be worn out but instead Jesus said in Mat. 11:28-30, ‘“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”’

Lets serve God with our all and be a blessing to the world and glory to Him but lets not try to become God by being all and burning ourselves in the process.

In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

If you would like to know about Jesus, then please click here.