Exodus 18:13-27
13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 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. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”
24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ex 18:13-27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Moses finds himself overloaded with work. Everything can get to be a little too much when you have to judge all the people. Moses like any good boy asks his father-in-law for some good advice. The Father-in-law wisely tells him to enlist further help. God would have Moses set over the people elders or local leaders. Moses sets chiefs over hundreds, fifties and thousands who will be able to stand in judgement over these people.
God has enlisted his people to have leaders and Priests for millennia. Moses was to lead the people of Israel on their journey through the Wilderness and to the promise land. Later God would have King David Shepherd his people to lead them in time of struggle. Ezekiel talks about Watchmen and Shepherds who were supposed to lead the people of God. These people would help to judge what is right and wrong. These people are supposed to speak to the people of God his Holy Word.
You may not be set over thousands or hundreds but you have been called to speak the word of God. All Christians are called to tell the truth to the world. All Christians have been redeemed through the Blood of Christ and this is part of his holy Word. A Judge can proclaim or sentence one to judgment but he can also release one from judgment. Jesus Christ is our Great Judge and he has proclaimed to each of us death in Baptism and New Life through his forgiveness of your sins.
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