January 21, 2023 - Exodus 18-20

Hillary Clinton, a number of years ago, wrote her book (I suppose she wrote it rather than having a ghost writer do the work but who knows) It Takes a Village. I didn’t read it but I recall that many critiqued the book, arguing that she was arguing largely for a big government, socialized sort of upbringing for children. Probably not far off, I suspect. Anyway, there is an important principle we do well to remember, i.e., that, sometimes, we need others. Solomon advised, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

This principle is in play, here. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, seeing how Moses was wearing himself out, advised him, “You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God . . . 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. And let them judge the people at all times” (18:19-21). In other words, “Moses, get some help!” In the church, God has similarly placed “the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12) and, also, “the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:16). God’s provisions for us, his people, are wonderful!

The Lord is King! lift up thy voice,

O earth, and all ye heavens, rejoice;

from world to world the joy shall ring,

‘The Lord omnipotent is King!'

The Lord is King! who then shall dare

resist his will, distrust his care,

or murmur at his wise decrees,

or doubt his royal promises? -- Josiah Conder (1836)