Wise Advice in the Wilderness: Jethro’s Visit to Moses (Exodus 18:1–27)
Leading people is never easy — especially when those people are tired, frustrated, and figuring out life in a desert. That’s exactly where Moses was when his father-in-law, Jethro, came to visit. What followed was a powerful moment of wisdom, humility, and learning how to lead better.
A Family Reunion and a Story Worth Sharing
Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, had heard about all the amazing things God had done to free the Israelites from Egypt. He brought Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and their two sons back to him and wanted to hear the full story.
Moses welcomed Jethro and told him everything: the plagues, the Red Sea crossing, and how God had taken care of them in the wilderness. Jethro was amazed and gave thanks to God. He even offered a sacrifice and joined Moses and the leaders in a special meal. It was a joyful reunion — but Jethro wasn’t just there for a visit.
Jethro Sees Something That’s Not Working
The next day, Jethro watched Moses at work. From morning until evening, Moses was busy listening to people’s problems and making decisions. He was doing everything himself, trying to help a huge crowd of people with every little issue.
Jethro asked, “Why are you doing all this alone?” He could see that Moses was getting worn out, and the people were waiting in long lines with their problems. It wasn’t a healthy or sustainable way to lead.
Simple but Wise Advice
Jethro didn’t just point out the problem — he offered a solution. He told Moses:
“You can’t do this all by yourself. Teach the people God’s laws. Then, choose capable, trustworthy men to handle the smaller matters. Let them judge the simple cases, and only bring the hardest ones to you.”
This advice was practical, caring, and wise. It would make things easier for Moses and better for the people.
Moses Listens and Makes a Change
Instead of getting defensive or ignoring the advice, Moses listened. He took Jethro’s words to heart and set up a system where leaders helped carry the responsibility. Each group of people had someone they could turn to for help.
Thanks to Jethro’s advice — and Moses’ willingness to accept it — things got much better. The people’s needs were met more quickly, and Moses was no longer overwhelmed.
What We Can Learn
This story is more than just a leadership tip from the Bible. It teaches us a few important life lessons:
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We all need wise voices in our lives. Sometimes others can see things we don’t.
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Good leaders don’t try to do everything. They share the load and trust others to help.
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Humility makes us stronger. Moses, though a great leader, was open to learning and growing.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re leading a team, raising a family, or just trying to handle life’s daily responsibilities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The story of Moses and Jethro reminds us that we don’t have to do it all. Asking for help, sharing responsibilities, and being open to advice can make a big difference.
Sometimes the wisest thing we can do is listen — and make a change.
Exodus 18:1-27 (WEB)
18:1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, received Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her away, 3 and her two sons. The name of one son was Gershom, for Moses said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land”. 4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.” 5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with Moses’ sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of God. 6 He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.”7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how the LORD delivered them. 9 Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. 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; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods because of the way that they treated people arrogantly.” 12 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.13 On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning to the evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?”15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone. 19 Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God. 20 You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you. 23 If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all these 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. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. 27 Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.