What can we learn from Moses' approach to judging disputes among the people? The Scene in the Camp “ The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.” (Exodus 18:13) Imagine the desert sun rising while Moses settles onto a simple seat. All day long, one dispute after another is brought before him. From dawn to dusk, the leader of Israel listens, discerns, and delivers verdicts grounded in God’s revealed will. What Moses Shows Us About God-Centered Judging • Availability ‑ Moses doesn’t hide behind his tent flaps. He places himself where anyone can approach. ‑ Hebrews 4:16 reminds us that God Himself invites such access: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…” • Patient Listening ‑ “Morning till evening” signals endurance. Justice isn’t rushed; people feel heard. ‑ Proverbs 18:13: “He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and shame to him.” • Submission to God’s Law ‑ Verse 16 (just two verses later) makes it explicit: Moses “makes them know the statutes of God and His laws.” ‑ He is not inventing rulings; he is applying what the Lord has spoken (Exodus 15:26; 24:3). • Personal Sacrifice ‑ Long hours, relentless cases—leadership costs something. ‑ Philippians 2:17 has the same spirit: Paul is “being poured out like a drink offering.” Why Moses’ Approach Needed Adjustment • Exodus 18:14–18 shows Jethro asking, “Why do you sit alone…? The task is too heavy.” • Delegation was God-honoring, not faith-lacking. Compare: ‑ Deuteronomy 1:9-18—Moses retells the event, highlighting shared leadership. ‑ Acts 6:1-7—the apostles delegate daily distribution so they can focus on prayer and the Word. Practical Takeaways for Today 1. Be Present ‑ Whether parenting, pastoring, or leading a team, make yourself approachable. 2. Listen Thoroughly ‑ Give people time; reserve judgment until every side is heard (James 1:19). 3. Anchor Decisions in Scripture ‑ Feelings shift; God’s Word stands (Psalm 119:89). 4. Recognize Limits ‑ Exhaustion dulls discernment. Share the load with trustworthy, God-fearing people (Exodus 18:21). 5. Preserve Community Peace ‑ Swift, fair resolutions keep relationships intact—echoed in Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-8. Summing It Up Moses’ dawn-to-dusk judging models availability, patience, Scripture-saturated decisions, and personal sacrifice. Yet even a faithful servant must delegate to stay effective. Following his example means opening our ears, rooting our judgments in God’s unchanging Word, and humbly enlisting others so that justice and peace flow unhindered among God’s people. |
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