DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BLIND SPOTS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – BLIND SPOTS

"Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said." (Exodus 18:24)

I must admit that one of the greatest challenges in my life is listening to the counsel and advice of other people. It is difficult for me to admit that I may not have all the answers, and that someone else might be able to speak truth into my blind spot. It is also difficult for me to delegate responsibility to others because in my pride, I think I can do it best.

It is especially difficult for those in the place of leadership, but I think it is common to all of us. We are afraid to relinquish control and think it is a sign of weakness to change the way we do things. Moses gives a model for us to have a different perspective.

In this case, Moses' father-on-law had come to visit Moses and he brought Moses' wife, Zipporah, along with their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. Moses told Jethro how God had done such miraculous things in delivering the nation from the bondage of Egypt, and Jethro rejoiced and came to the faith that the Israelite God was above all other gods.

One morning Jethro observed that there was a line of people waiting from morning to evening to speak to Moses. Jethro confronted Moses and Moses explained that they came to him for judgment in civil matters. Jethro told Moses to his face that what he was doing was not right. He needed to delegate some responsibility to others to hear the common cases, and if there was something too difficult for them, they could bring it to Moses. Otherwise, if Moses kept us this pace, he would wear himself out.

Moses listened and did as Jethro advised, forming several layers of judges, some over ten, then a higher lever over 50, and over hundreds, and over thousands. It would be similar to our judicial system, with lower courts, circuit courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court that hears the really tough cases.

It takes humility to submit myself to someone else. I am still learning that it is not weakness to yield myself and my way of doing things, to my wife, to my elders, to God Himself. It is wisdom to listen to other people. They may see something that is in my blind spot and I don't see. They can provide a different perspective, and I can learn from them, and through them God's kingdom can be increased.

Love, Dad