Essentials for a Healthy Community of Faith

The Lord is our banner also, but in a way even Moses could hardly have imagined. Consider Isaiah 11:10:

Jesus Christ is the banner for God’s people, who rally to Him from every nation! Around His cross we are unified, encouraged, and instructed. It is through Jesus that we experience spiritual victories. Apart from His work and His intercession, we have no hope.

Exodus 18:1-12

This section highlights Jethro’s relationship with Moses (vv. 1-6) and new faith in the God of Israel. The Amalekites and Midianities were closely related. Jethro was a Midianite priest who came to rejoice in Yahweh’s salvation.

The news about Israel spread through the lands (v. 1). You could imagine Jethro and Zipporah asking travelers about the state of the Israelites. Stuart says,

In verses 2-5 the two sons are with them and their names are mentioned: Gershom (“foreigner”) and Eliezer (“God is my help”). Their names summarize Moses, the Israelites, and us!

Notice the love and respect in these verses. Moses went out to Jethro, bowed down, and kissed him. Except for the genealogies, there are no other mentions of Moses’ wife and kids. The focus of the story is more on the conversion of his father-in-law, this Midianite priest. It is understandable that Moses’ wife and kids would become believers, but it is an amazing thing to consider the faith of Jethro. Perhaps the story focuses on his confession because he was a public figure and a religious leader of another faith. His conversion would have been big news! Today this story should encourage believers. Keep spreading the good news to everyone, including your family members! Not only did Jethro receive the good news, but later in the passage, he also gave wonderfully helpful advice to Moses (and us).

Was Moses trying to convert his father-in-law? Yes! Some want to argue that you cannot really call this a conversion here. Okay. Maybe it is a stretch to say that in verse 11 his conversion took place, but at some113 point Jethro got converted. That seems clear to me. And what also is clear is that Moses was telling him the good news. He wanted to see his father-in-law converted.

Notice the summary of the good news (v. 8). Before, there was hardship; after, there was deliverance. Moses probably spent several hours recounting this whole story. God has brought us from death to life, and we should testify to this good news as well.

Jethro rejoiced in all that God had done (v. 9). It seems that Jethro had been skeptical of Moses’ initial call and had questions, but now his questions were answered by the facts of what had happened.

In verse 10 Jethro said, “Praise the Lord ... who rescued you.” What moved Jethro was this personal knowledge of Moses’ story. He knew Moses before the exodus and now after the exodus. He repeated the phrase “from the power of the Egyptians” because this is what amazed him! The defeat of Pharaoh and this superpower nation by Moses and the Israelites could only be explained by the miraculous salvation of Yahweh. So he said, “Praise be to Yahweh.” Based on this truth, Jethro made this awesome confession in verse 11:

That is another way of saying a New Testament phrase “I know the One I have believed in” (2 Tim 1:12) or “I was blind, and now I can see!” (John 9:25). Jethro said, “Now I know who the real God is.” Jesus said, “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent—Jesus Christ” (John 17:3).

Jethro demonstrated that he had converted to faith in Yahweh (v. 12): he worshiped Yahweh according to the Israelite custom. He offered a “burnt offering,” which was understood to atone for past sins and to appeal for forgiveness and acceptance before God. He also offered “sacrifices to God” to be sure to cover for any inadequacies in approaching Yahweh. All of this was to ensure that he was accepted in genuine fellowship with God. He ate a covenant meal with other worshipers of Yahweh in the presence of Yahweh. This signified Jethro’s formal admission into Israel. Notice that the leaders had a meal with him “in God’s presence.”

Let us spread the gospel! How? Be ready to testify of God’s grace in salvation as Moses was here (cf. Acts 20:24). Let us also spread the114 gospel lovingly. Look at the respect and warmth Moses had (cf. 1 Pet 3:15). And let us spread the gospel to the nations. God’s plan for the nations was displayed in Jethro’s conversion. He was outside the people of Israel, yet he was converted. God promised to bless all the nations through Israel. Israel was to be a “light to the nations.” This story shows how their witness began reaching surrounding nations. This is consistent with Exodus 9:16. We all, from every tribe and tongue, are able to sit down with the bread and wine together and celebrate the grace of our Lord Jesus who has delivered us from sin and death.

Exodus 18:13-26

As the story continues, Jethro gave some counsel to Moses telling him that he was trying to do too much. Moses had been attempting to settle multiple disputes. He was like the police, the law, the counselor, the department of motor vehicles, the judge, the theologian, and the pastor all in one. This task was too heavy. Get this picture:

The people stand around all day waiting for an appointment (v. 13). Jethro says, “What are you doing?” (v. 14). Moses basically says, “They need me. I have to tell them what to do” (vv. 15-16). I love Jethro’s response: “What you’re doing is not good” (v. 17). Why? Jethro tells him: “You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you” (v. 18).

In regard to the church, our situation is not exactly the same, but part of what Moses was trying to do is shepherd the people. He was trying to take care of them and instruct them in the ways that please God. Shepherding is hard work. One person cannot do it all. This is similar to Acts 6. There were not enough apostles to take care of the widows, so the church appointed some qualified men to do that, and the apostles would focus on prayer and the ministry of the word.

As a pastor, I can sympathize with Moses. Sometimes people ask, “A ‘Pastor’—is that a full-time job?” I almost laugh when I hear that! It is sort of like the question, “Does your wife work?” I actually tried to think about what I do. Here are a few things:

Before you are tempted to feel sorry for me, remember that my flock is nowhere near as large as Moses’! Imagine, six hundred thousand men, plus women and children! So, what solution gets put forward? The solution for Moses is the same solution for us: share the ministry.

Notice how Jethro counsels Moses. Jethro told Moses to fulfill his ministry (vv. 19-20). Moses was a mediator. He was taking the people to God in prayer and God to people in teaching. Jethro did not tell him to stop doing these tasks. He simply told him that he should develop some organizational structure and get some help.

Jethro told Moses to find capable leaders to help care for the people (vv. 21-23). He was to find “able men,” from among the people, who would be capable of serving in this capacity. They were to be “Godfearing” men. God-fearing men realize that serving God is serious business, regardless of how big or small the job is. They were also to be “trustworthy” men. These are men you can count on. You do not have to question the motives of trustworthy men. They were to “hate bribes.” They would be impartial, honest, and not in it for money. So these were leaders who would be capable and full of integrity. They were going to do the work with Moses.

Moses became the court of last resort or “supreme court” of Israel (v. 22). He remained as judge but delegated most situations to the other men. They “will bear [the burden] with you” Jethro said (v. 22). Notice the result: (1) God will direct you; (2) you will be able to endure; and (1) the people will go in peace (v. 23). In other words, this is best for everyone.

How do we apply this? What can we learn about shared ministry? As mentioned, our situation is different, but there is still the general connection to shared ministry and pastoral care. Let me point out two principles. The New Testament shows us how we should understand shared ministry. A healthy community practices shared ministry by having a plurality of qualified elders who care for the flock (Acts 20:17; 1 Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet 5:1-4). But the elders do not do everything. They116 oversee the ministry of the church. They equip God’s people to do the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11-16). Every member is to serve. Of course, Jesus Christ is the head, the chief Shepherd, and everyone must submit to Him. Under Him, He has appointed elders/pastors as undershepherds to equip God’s people to do ministry together.

Therefore, healthy communities of faith practice shared ministry by having an “every-member ministry.” While some are appointed to leadership, every Christian has a part to play in the body of Christ. Every Christian is a “priest” (Exod 19:6; 1 Pet 2:5-10). You can pray for people. You can care for people. You can teach others. Every Christian has spiritual gifts to use for the good of the body (1 Pet 4:10). Healthy communities of faith have active members serving, loving, and praying. Generally, those who serve best do not care about being known or having a title. We should do this in the spirit of “[carrying] one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).

In verses 24-26 we see that Moses listens. He demonstrates humility. He receives counsel—even from his father-in-law! Will you follow his example and follow the counsel of the wise?

As a community of faith, we need power; we need to speak the good news; and we need a shared ministry. As a community of faith, we—like Jethro and Moses and the elders—gather around one table. We also rally around the cross, our banner, and we enjoy fellowship with one another because of the work of our great mediator, Jesus Christ.