How does Jethro's question connect with Proverbs 15:22 on seeking advice? Opening Snapshot: Jethro Steps In Moses has led Israel out of Egypt, but the daily load of judging disputes has him seated from dawn to dusk. Jethro, his father-in-law, watches and speaks up. Jethro's Question Unpacked (Exodus 18:14) “When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, ‘What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all the people stand around you from morning till evening?’” Key observations • Jethro notices a leadership bottleneck. • His questions expose an unsustainable pattern. • By asking, he gently invites Moses to rethink his method without attacking his motives. Proverbs 15:22: Wisdom in a Sentence “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Key observations • Scripture states a timeless principle: counsel multiplies success. • The verse establishes the divine endorsement for seeking outside input. • It affirms that multiple advisers improve both planning and execution. Threads that Tie the Two Together • Jethro becomes the “many advisers” Proverbs describes, modeling the principle centuries before Solomon penned it. • Moses’ lone-judge approach illustrates “plans fail for lack of counsel”; the system is already fraying. • Jethro’s counsel leads to shared leadership, mirroring the proverb’s promise of success through advisers. • The episode confirms the literal accuracy of Proverbs 15:22 by showing it played out in real history. • God’s providence is evident: He brings Jethro at the precise moment Moses needs guidance, underscoring that seeking counsel aligns with His design. Practical Takeaways for Today • Leadership flourishes when accountability and shared wisdom replace isolation. • No calling, however spiritual, exempts believers from the safeguard of godly counsel. • Welcoming questions about our methods opens the door to God-given improvements. • Delegation is not a sign of weakness but of obedience to a biblical principle. • Churches, families, and workplaces thrive when decisions are weighed by multiple scripturally grounded voices. Supporting Scriptures • Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12—“Two are better than one… a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” • Proverbs 11:14—“For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” • Acts 15:6, 22—The Jerusalem Council demonstrates collective discernment among apostles and elders. • 2 Timothy 2:2—Paul commands passing truth to “faithful men,” illustrating shared responsibility. |
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