EXODUS –LESSON 31
LEARN: Psalm 40:1-4
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust,
and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
READ: Exodus 18:13-27
1. What duty did Moses carry out the day after Jethro’s arrival? v 13a
NOTE: The office of ruler in ancient times, whether exercised by a king, a prince, or a mere chieftain, was always understood to include within it the office of judge. PULPIT COMMENTARY, The book of Exodus, p. 91
2. What was the difficulty of this office of judging the people for Moses? v 13
3. What was Jethro’s question to Moses concerning his judging of the people? v 14
4. Verse 16 gives Moses’ answer to Jethro concerning the reason for having the people standing by him from morning to evening for judgment. What was his answer?
5. We see here that the people were seeking an answer to their situations. They did not want to have a man’s opinion on what should be done, but specifically they wanted to know what ____________________________and ____________were concerning the matter. v 16
6. How did Jethro respond to Moses concerning the entire situation? v 17
7. Such a difficult duty and responsibility must have been extremely tiring for Moses. What did Jethro warn Moses would happen not only to Moses himself, but also to the whole nation if he continued to carry out the necessary judging by himself? v 18
8. Returning to verse 18, what is the application that can be made to every local church fellowship?
9. Find Scripture that speaks to every believer concerning this matter.
10. First Jethro gave Moses the warning, then he gave him wise counsel as regards to the way the leader should deal with judicial matters. What was Jethro’s counsel to Moses? v 19
v 20
v 21
v 22
v 23a
11. Looking back at the counsel given to Moses, starting at verse 19, find New Testament Scriptures which relate the same counsel as is given in each of the verses listed in this passage of Exodus, that are just as applicable to the church today.
NT for verse 19
NT for verse 20
NT for verse 21
NT for verse 22
NT for verse 23a
12. According to verse 21, what are the characteristics that are always essential for those who have positions of leadership in God’s economy?
13. Find Scriptures that show what happens when God’s criteria for choosing leaders or rulers is not followed.
14. What blessing is accrued to those who follow God’s design? v 23b
15. Though Moses was a great leader, chosen by God to lead the nation of Israel out of slavery and into the land promise by God, what was his response to counsel given him by his father-in law? v 24
16. What does Moses response in this matter teach us about his character?
17. Is this response a sign of weakness on Moses part? Explain, your answer by showing what characteristic Moses displayed in this situation.
18. Find Scripture showing that the Lord desires that his people exhibit the attribute shown by Moses in this situation, and abhors the opposite attribute?
19. How did following the counsel of Jethro work itself out practically in the nation? vv 25, 26
20. After Jethro had accomplished the task that the Lord had sent him to Moses for, what did he do? v 27
21. Moses must have been very thankful for the wise counsel that Jethro brought. When someone comes into our lives briefly and brings us godly help, it is hard to see that individual move on, or be removed from us. How can looking at Esther 4:14b help us put things into perspective?
22. Even as believers we have a tendency to start to trust in others, rather than to look to the Lord. What must we constantly be reminded of? Psalm 40:4
23. List other Scripture that speaks of our need to trust in the Lord alone.