Exodus 18

Shared Strength

So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” ~ Exodus 18:14

Have you ever tried to do everything on your own, thinking it was the only way to make sure things were done right? It can feel easier in the moment to take on more than you should, but eventually, the weight becomes too heavy to carry alone and it won’t be long before you crash and burn.

In Exodus 18, Moses found himself in that very situation. He was leading the Israelites through the wilderness, and the people came to him from morning until evening with their questions, disputes, and problems. When his father-in-law Jethro saw this, he respectfully questioned Moses’ method and offered wisdom that would change everything. Jethro told Moses that what he was doing was “not good” because it would wear him out and exhaust the people. Instead, he encouraged Moses to choose capable, trustworthy people to help share the load. Moses listened, and the results were peace, order, and renewed strength.

This is something I struggle with on an ongoing basis. It feels like I am always slipping back into the mentality that it takes less time to do things myself than to show others how and get some help. But it doesn’t take long before I am in over my head again and frantically looking for someone who can pitch in. Whether it’s in ministry, work, or personal life, I keep thinking that being responsible means carrying it all myself. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit continues to remind me, just like He did Moses, that sharing responsibility is not a sign of weakness, it is wisdom. When I finally allow others to help, I experience more peace, better results, and greater joy.

This chapter reminds me that God never intended for me to carry everything alone. He places people in my life for a reason. Some are there to support, some to advise, and others to serve alongside me. When I learn to trust others and share the responsibility, I make room for God to multiply the results and strengthen the entire team.

He has the same wisdom for you in whatever you are carrying alone today. There are people around you who want to help and are just waiting for the opportunity to step in and use their gifts to be a blessing. Don’t try to do it all yourself. Bring others along and watch their talents shine as they bless you with their abilities.

Here are some ways you can get started today:

• Take time to pray about the areas of your life where you are doing too much alone. Ask God to show you where you can share the load.
• Identify trustworthy people who can help, whether at work, in ministry, or at home. Start by delegating one small task and build from there.
• Be willing to accept advice from those who care about you, even if it challenges your routine or pride.
• Remember that letting others help creates opportunities for them to grow in their gifts.
• Rest in knowing that shared responsibility allows you to focus on what God has specifically called you to do.

Today I want to encourage you to let go of the mindset that you must handle everything on your own. God designed you to live in community and partnership. When you allow others to carry part of the weight, you make room for God to strengthen both you and those around you. You will find greater peace, balance, and joy when you let His wisdom guide you to share the load.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Exodus 18:1–27

1 And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 

2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, 

3 with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) 

4 and the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); 

5 and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 

6 Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. 

8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. 

9 Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 

10 And Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 

11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” 

12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 

14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?”

15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 

16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”

17 So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 

18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 

19 Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 

20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 

21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 

22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 

23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 

25 And 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 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Journal:

• What areas of my life am I trying to handle alone that I need to release to God or share with others?
• Who has God placed in my life that I can trust to help carry the load?
• How can I create space for others to use their gifts while I focus on what God has called me to do?