“Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens” (Exodus 18:21 ESV).
Moses wrote this passage to Israel to describe how the LORD used Jethro’s counsel to reshape the nation’s leadership structure in the wilderness. Up to this point, Moses had been judging every dispute by himself, from morning until evening. Jethro observed that this was unsustainable and warned that both Moses and the people would wear out. He advised Moses to appoint qualified, God-fearing, trustworthy men to share the responsibility. Moses recorded how this plan created layers of care and leadership so that smaller matters were handled quickly and only the most difficult cases came to him. This strengthened Israel’s system of justice and care, protected Moses from burnout, and ensured the people’s needs were met in a timely and appropriate way. The focus was not merely efficiency, but raising up leaders who feared God and loved truth.
We see a similar pattern in our church today. We have delegated a portion of pastoral care to our Community Group Shepherds so that every person receives prayer, guidance, and encouragement in a smaller setting. Like the first-century church who met “in the temple and from house to house” (Acts 5:42), we gather on Sundays to worship and throughout the week in small groups in our homes. Still, we admit that members often want the pastor for every need. But we must learn to trust the Shepherds God has raised up among us. This means we not only train and equip leaders, but we also grow as a church family that gladly receives care through them.
I don’t think Israel actually had community groups, but the leadership principles that Jethro gave Moses certainly inform how we do groups today.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for caring about both leaders and your people. Help us to share responsibility wisely, to trust the leaders You provide, and to serve one another well in every setting. Guard our hearts from pride and teach us to value the body working together in unity under Christ’s authority. In Jesus’ name, amen.