Dependency – Exodus 18:17
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.”
Few people have had the intimacy Moses had with God. He stood on holy ground as the Lord spoke to him in a burning bush.[1] He walked with the Lord throughout the long, arduous journey from Egyptian captivity to the edge of the Promised Land, speaking with Him as one speaks with a friend.[2] He received from Him precise answers to his own as well as his people’s questions. Undeniably, God, having chosen Moses for a sacred ministry, remained in close fellowship with him as He led him along each leg of his journey. As Moses sought His counsel, honored and obeyed His statutes, and served Him faithfully, God was beside Him, always available to him, always guiding and protecting him.
Yet, God did not make Moses a spiritual island. Rather He used others to support him when his strength failed and to counsel him when his vision fell short. When Moses’ outstretched arms became heavy as he stood over the battle at Rephidim, God could have given him supernatural endurance. However, He chose Aaron and Hur to come beside him and hold up his arms until he could safely let them down.[3] When Moses sat as judge and arbitrator over the disputes of the Israelites from morning to night, the Lord gave his father-in-law, Jethro, the discernment to see not only the potential danger to Moses and the people, but also the missed opportunities to build a stronger nation. Jethro, having a loving bond with his son-in-law, gave Moses sound instruction on how to restructure Israel’s leadership lest Moses wear himself out from carrying an overbearing load, even as he failed to adequately address the people’s needs.[4]
God has not lessened His people’s dependency upon each other in this current age, for He has interwoven into our lives those whom He would have help and instruct us when we grow faint or go astray. In the same manner, we are to help and instruct others according to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Look around. Who are your Aarons, Hurs, and Jethros, and who are you to help and encourage as these men helped Moses? Seek to recognize them, and allow the Lord to be your one true guide while welcoming the interdependencies within the body of Christ.
Graciously, prayerfully, accept
others’ kind offerings of support even as you support them in return, and you
will flourish, being perfectly complete, lacking nothing.[5]
[1] Exodus 3:2-5
[2] Exodus 33:11
[3] Exodus 17:8-13
[4] Exodus 18:12-23
[5] Romans 12:3-5
