Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. You will surely wear yourselves outThe phrase "wear yourselves out" comes from the Hebrew root word "נָבַל" (nabal), which means to wither or fade. This imagery suggests a gradual depletion of strength and vitality, akin to a plant losing its vigor. In the context of leadership, it serves as a cautionary note about the dangers of overextending oneself. Historically, leaders who fail to delegate often face burnout, a timeless truth that resonates with modern organizational principles. The wisdom here is that sustainable leadership requires sharing responsibilities to maintain personal and communal well-being. and these people as well
The inclusion of "these people" highlights the communal impact of leadership decisions. The Hebrew word for people, "עַם" (am), refers to a collective group bound by shared identity and purpose. In the context of the Israelites, it underscores the interconnectedness of leader and followers. When a leader is overwhelmed, it affects the entire community, leading to inefficiency and dissatisfaction. This phrase serves as a reminder that leadership is not just about personal capacity but also about the welfare of those being led. For the task is too heavy for you
The word "task" is translated from the Hebrew "דָּבָר" (dabar), which can mean word, matter, or thing. Here, it refers to the responsibilities and judgments Moses was undertaking. The adjective "heavy" comes from "כָּבֵד" (kaved), implying something burdensome or weighty. This phrase acknowledges the enormity of Moses' responsibilities, which were beyond the capacity of one individual. It reflects a divine understanding of human limitations and the need for practical solutions, such as delegation, to manage overwhelming duties. you cannot handle it alone
The phrase "cannot handle it alone" emphasizes the necessity of community and support in fulfilling one's calling. The Hebrew "לְבַדֶּךָ" (levadeka) means by oneself or alone. This statement is a direct acknowledgment of human limitations and the importance of interdependence. In a broader scriptural context, it aligns with the biblical principle that God often works through community and collaboration. It serves as an inspirational reminder that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but a recognition of the strength found in unity and shared purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is leading the Israelites through the wilderness. He is tasked with judging the people's disputes, which is becoming overwhelming. 2. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who observes Moses' leadership burden and offers wise counsel to delegate responsibilities. 3. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. They bring their disputes to Moses for resolution. 4. WildernessThe setting where the Israelites are traveling and where Moses is leading them, highlighting the challenges of leadership in difficult circumstances. 5. Judging the PeopleThe event of Moses sitting to judge the people from morning until evening, which prompts Jethro's advice. Teaching Points The Importance of DelegationJust as Moses needed to delegate responsibilities, leaders today must recognize the limits of their capacity and share the load with others. Seeking Wise CounselJethro's advice to Moses underscores the value of seeking and heeding wise counsel from trusted individuals. Avoiding BurnoutThe warning that Moses would "wear out" serves as a reminder to prioritize self-care and sustainable practices in leadership and service. Community and Shared ResponsibilityThe passage highlights the importance of community and shared responsibility in achieving common goals and supporting one another. God's Design for LeadershipGod's design for leadership involves collaboration and the distribution of tasks, reflecting His wisdom and care for His people. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some areas in your life where you might be trying to handle too much on your own, and how can you apply the principle of delegation? 2. How can seeking wise counsel from others help you in your personal or spiritual journey? 3. In what ways can you contribute to your community or church to help share the responsibilities and burdens? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced burnout. What changes can you make to prevent it in the future, based on the lessons from this passage? 5. How does understanding God's design for leadership and community influence your view of your role in your family, church, or workplace? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 11:14-17This passage also deals with Moses feeling overwhelmed by the burden of leadership and God instructing him to appoint elders to share the load. Acts 6:1-7The early church faces a similar issue of leadership burden, leading to the appointment of deacons to assist the apostles. Matthew 11:28-30Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, emphasizing the importance of not bearing burdens alone. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Able, Alone, Canst, Completely, Exhausted, Handle, Heavy, Perform, Quite, Strength, Surely, Task, Thyself, Wear, Wilt, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:13-24 5636 work, and rest Exodus 18:13-26 5054 responsibility, examples
5358 judges
8438 giving, of time Exodus 18:14-27 5685 fathers, responsibilities Exodus 18:17-18 5634 work, and the fall
5901 loneliness Exodus 18:17-23 5582 tiredness Exodus 18:17-24 5779 advice Library The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]
'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. 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. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 18:18 NIVExodus 18:18 NLTExodus 18:18 ESVExodus 18:18 NASBExodus 18:18 KJV
Exodus 18:18 Commentaries
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