Principle 3 -Teaches the Word
Exodus 18:20 (KJV) “And thou (Moses) should teach them Ordinances and Laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.” Moses has threefold responsibilities:
- Teach them Ordinances and Laws – Theory (Exodus 18:20; Philippians 4:9).
- Show them the Way to Walk – Lifestyle (Exodus 18:20).
- The Work to do – Practical (Exodus 18:20; Isaiah 2:1-5; 2Timothy 2:2).
The Potential Leaders should be taught God’s Word (“Ordinances and Laws”) – 2Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inspiration in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
- For “doctrine” (what is right).
- For “reproof” (what is not right).
- For “correction” (how to get right).
- For “instruction in righteousness” (how to stay right).
1. The Doctrine of the Inspiration of Scripture is important; the Doctrine that Satan attacked since the beginning (“Yea, hath God said?”– Genesis 3:1). God’s Word is Infallible and Reliable because:
- God is the God of Truth – Deuteronomy 32:4 “He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice; a God of Truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.”
- Jesus is “the Truth” – John 14:6 “Jesus said unto him, I am the way the Truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”
- The Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Truth” – 1John 5:6b “And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is Truth.”
- The Scripture is “the Word of Truth” – John 17:17 “Sanctify them through Thy Truth; Thy word is truth.”
2. The Holy Spirit used men of God to write the Word of God – 2Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV) “Knowing this first, that no Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation. For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” The Spirit of God does not erase the Personality of the Writers. In fact, God in His Providences prepared the Writers for the task of writing the Scriptures. Each Writer has his own distinctive style and vocabulary. Each Book of the Bible grows out of a special set of circumstances. In God’s preparation of men, in His guiding of history, and in His working through the Spirit, God brought about the miracles of the Scriptures:
- Revelation is the communicating of truth to man by God.
- Inspiration is the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit on the Bible’s Writers, which guaranteed that what they write is accurate and trustworthy. The inspiration is the recording of the communication in a way that is Infallible.
3. 2Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inspiration in righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The Word of God is profitable:
- For “doctrine” (what is right).
- For “reproof” (what is not right).
- For “correction” (how to get right).
- For “instruction in righteousness” (how to stay right).
A “born-again” Christian who studies God’s Word and applies what he learns will grow in holiness and avoid many pitfalls in this world.
4. The Word of God equips us for service (2Timothy 3:17). A person can become “a man of God” if he studies the Word of God and applies it to his life. Men of God named in the Bible were basically men of God’s Word. God’s Word:
- Perfects – Complete, in fit shape, in fit condition. It is implies being fitted for us.
- Furnished – Equipped for Service. In other words, God’s Word furnishes and equips the Believer so that he can be effective in God’s Work (Ministry).
The Jethro’s Principle of the Purpose of Bible Study (not Academic – Bible School for diploma/degree) is to understand Doctrines and to Equip of the Saints for the Work of the Ministry (Ephesians 4:12), so that others can come to the Knowledge of the Truth (Ephesians 4:13-16). Training based in intellectual achievements with emphasis on academic diplomas/degrees, is good and may be necessary, in the longer term, but for the current Jethro’s Principles, situations, may/may not produce the Leadership needed to win lost souls to Christ or build Growing Churches. Teach the Potential Leaders from God’s Word and Guide their lives in living out God’s Word.
Principle 4 – Shows Them the Work
Exodus 18:20 (KJV) “And thou (Moses) should teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”
1. The Potential Leaders after they have been taught for a season must be engaged in doing – Acts 1:1b “Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach” (Marks 6:30; Ezra 7:10; Matthew 5:19). The Principles of “Do & Teach” shown in God’s Word:
- Jesus – Acts 1:1b “Of all that Jesus began both to do and teach.”
- Prophet – Ezra 7:10 “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it. And to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”
- Apostles – Mark 6:30 “Then the Apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.”
- Kingdom of God – Matthew 5:19 “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandants, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.”
If we teach the Potential Leaders on soul-winning – then immediately sent them out to win souls. If we teach the Potential Leaders on Divine Healing and Deliverance, then they should be exposed to in the practical. This is Christ’s method of mentoring – Matthew 10:1“And when His had called unto Him His twelve Disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
2. Jesus’ Training is on the job and short-term with both the twelve Apostles and the Seventy Disciples (Matthew 10). Jesus demonstrates what they should do, and then sent them out to do the same thing.
3. Training should be kept to about six-monthly intervals because the longer the training program, the less effective the Potential Leaders. The Trainees should be put “on the job training” to use the knowledge acquired. If necessary, the Trainees should be brought back for further training, periodically, in upgrading.
4. The Training should be 50% teaching and 50% doing. What is taught should be put into practice (doing). Keep the emphasis on practical training. The Training is bible-centred, short-term, and practical. Dedication and commitment are expected of the Potential Leaders.
Principle 5 – Transfers the Anointing
Numbers 11:16-17 (KJV) “And the LORD said unto Moses, gather unto Me Seventy men of the Elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the Elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the Tabernacle of the Congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there, and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”
- Joshua – Deuteronomy 34:9 (KJV) “And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the Spirit of Wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him. And the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”
- Joshua – Numbers 27:20 (KJV) “And thou (Moses) shall put some of thine honour upon him (Joshua), that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.”
Laying on of hands for the impartation of the Anointing is an important aspect (but most neglected) Principle in Leadership Development. Without the Enabling Power (Anointing) of the Holy Spirit the Potential Leaders will find God’s Work a heavy burden. Jesus never sent a Person to represent Him without Anointing him with the Power of the Holy Spirit:
- Matthew 10:1 (KJV) “And when He had called unto Him His twelve Disciples, He gave them Power (Authority – the Anointing) against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”
- Luke 10:1, 18-19 (KJV) “After these things the Lord (Jesus) appointed other Seventy also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place, where He Himself would come…..And He (Jesus) said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you Power (Authority – the Anointing) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
- Acts 1:8 (KJV) “But ye shall receive Power (Authority – the Anointing), after the Holy Spirit is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
Jesus began His ministry only after He had been Anointed by the Father with the Holy Spirit, at His water-baptism (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10) – Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath Anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
1. A successful Leader who carries a strong Anointing of the Holy Spirit in his life should be involved in the training of Potential Leaders and pass the Anointing to them by the laying on of hands. The example of Moses – Joshua (Numbers 27:15-23; Deuteronomy 34:9); Moses – the Seventy Elders (Numbers 11:16-17); Elijah – Elisha (2Kings 2:9-15).
2. The transference of Anointing is God’s Sovereign Act using the Person, for His (God’s) Glory, for example:
- Joshua – Numbers 27:20 (KJV) “And thou (Moses) shalt put some of thine honour upon him (Joshua), that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.”
- Joshua – Deuteronomy 34:9 (KJV) “And Joshua, the son of Nun, was full of the Spirit of Wisdom; for Moses, had laid his hands upon him. And the children of Israel hearkened unto him and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”
- Seventy Elders – Numbers 16-17 (KJV) “And the LORD said unto Moses, gather unto Me seventy men of the Elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the Elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the Tabernacle of the Congregation, that they may stand there with thee. And I will come down and talk with thee there, and I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”
- Elisha – 2Kings 2:9-15a (KJV) “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit (Anointing) be upon me…..And when the sons of the Prophets, who were looking on at Jericho, saw him, they said, the spirit (Anointing) of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.”
It seems in the Early Church, the Leaders and the Congregation spent times of fasting, prayer and ministering to the Lord (Acts 1:14; Acts 13:1-4). Out of such times, the Holy Spirit spoke and Anointed them, and they went out Empowered by the Spirit and successfully fulfilled their Ministries.
Principle 6 – Transfers the Burden
Exodus 18:21-22 (KJV) “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons; and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge; so, shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” Numbers 11:16-17 “And the Lord said unto Moses, Gather unto Me……the elders of Israel…..that they may stand…..with thee. And…..they shall bear the burden of the people with thee.” The burden upon Moses is too heavy (Exodus 18:14, 18). Jethro, Moses’ father-in law gives him a word of wisdom by suggesting that he (Moses) brings in a Team of “qualified men” (Exodus 18:18,19-23)
- Jethro’s proposal is good. Moses is to organise the camp so that every 10 families rather than persons, thus following the natural tribal division, have somebody to talk to about their problems. It a ruler of 10 could not solve the problem, it could be referred to the ruler of 50, then 100, and then 1,000 (Note: Numbers 31:14, 28) indicates that the Army is organised on a similar plan (1Samuel 22:7; 1Chronicles 12). After that, it would be referred to Moses himself.
- D.L. Moody may have had this in mind when he said: “I would rather put 10 men to work than do the work of 10 men.”
- A system such as this would separate the simple problem (“small matter”) from the more complex matter (“greater matter”) so that Moses would be freed to be Shepherd, Official Representative and Administrator of the “Church in the Wilderness” (Acts 7:38).
- This arrangement would also test the seriousness of the people, for not all of them would be willing to let the ruler “take their case to a higher court.”
- It is advisable to yoke a younger Leader to an experienced older Leader in order to bring forth patience endurance of the younger Leader.
- Look out for the person who reaches out for responsibility and accountability rather than authority because authority without responsibility and accountability damages God’s work and His people – Not Lordship – 1Peter 5:2-3 “Feed (shepherd) the flock of God….Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock.” God makes us Overseers over His flock (Acts 20:28; 1Peter 5:2) and we are not to be lording over His flock (1Peter 5:3). Leadership position should be used to teach, bless, heal the broken-hearted, break bondage, and restoration (Luke 4:18).
- Responsibilities of Rulers – Exodus 18:21 (KJV) ““Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” Men who have been placed over to rule (rule = standing as example) God’s people must demonstrate that they have:
- Rule over their own spirit (Proverbs 16:32; 25:28).
- Rule over their own household (1Timothy 3:4, 11; Titus 1:6; Abraham – Genesis 18:19; Joshua – Joshua 24:15).
- Rule over the House of God (1Timothy 1:5).
- Placed as Leaders to lead and rule over the thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, according to one’s ability to handle (Note: Some have rejected the Jethro’s Principle because it is given by Moses’ father-in-law, and that, if the advice is taken literally, there would have been 78,600, judges in all, over the Nation of Israel).
- Judges – Men able to always judge the people (Exodus 18:22; Deuteronomy 1:16-17). Discernment not critical is needed. Give good counsel, and answers to the problems, insight, decisions based on principle of God’s laws, not poor judgement:
- Judge with justice (Isaiah 1:17; Deuteronomy 1:16).
- Judge with mercy (Psalm 101:1).
- Judge without partiality or favouritism (Proverbs 24:23; Deuteronomy 1:17).
- Judge beyond natural sense (Isaiah 11:1-5).
- Judge with knowledge, understanding and wisdom (2Chronicles 1:7-12; Deuteronomy 1:13).
- Men to bear the burden with Moses (Exodus 18:14-18, 22; Numbers 11:11-17).
- Men with the same spirit upon them (Exodus 18:25; Numbers 11:16,17; 1Corinthians 1:10; Psalm 133).
- Since Israel is a strong patriarchal society, the emphasis is on men, but throughout Scripture, the Lord called and used many gifted women to serve Him and His people.
- Moses’ Responsibilities – Exodus 18:19b-20 (KJV) “Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”
- Moses is to represent the people before God, interceding and seeking God’s direction in the difficult cases – “Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God” (Exodus 18:19b, KJV).
- Moses has threefold responsibilities – “And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do” (Exodus 18:20):
- Teach them Ordinances and Laws – Theory (Exodus 18:20; Philippians 4:9).
- Show them the way to walk – Lifestyle (Exodus 18:20).
- The Work to do – Practical (Exodus 18:20; Isaiah 2:1-5; 2Timothy 2:2).
- The measure of ability and commitment is the measure of responsibility, which becomes the measure of authority and the measure of the person’s accountability. The person only has authority where he has responsibility and commitment. The Jethro’s Principle illustrates the “Team Ministry” under Moses.
Morning Dew . Life 