Order and Law

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ORDER AND LAW

Exodus 18:13-27

Preparation for Sinai

I want to introduce the text this morning by pointing out it’s location in the book –

-You will notice that this event immediately precedes the giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai.

-The giving of the Law begins with the Ten Commandments.

-Just before the receiving of the Law, God gives civil order to the community for the

practical implementation of the Law.

-This is why the title of the message is “Order and Law” because the order comes

before the Law.

It is important to remember that God is giving birth to a nation –

-God is changing Jacob’s family of 70 people into the nation of Israel –

-They have a national history that gives them an identity –

-You could say they have a National Anthem that enshrines that identity.

-Order and Law isn’t just a good idea but it is essential for a functional society.

The “big picture" of this text is how it prepares the people for what they will get at Sinai – It’s the

order before the Law –

-And in the unpacking of this event, we will get a simple and concise strategy for

leadership –

Read Exodus 18:13-27

Pray

An Unsustainable System – vs. 13-18

The first thing we see here is Moses’ unsustainable system of governance –

-v. 13 – “The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around

Moses from morning till evening.”

-Think about those words – “The next day…”

-Moses had not seen his wife and two boys for 10 months.

-His father-in-law, Jethro, brought them to him at Mt. Horeb.

-The very next day Moses is back at work from sunup to sundown!

-Probably a reflection of an imbalance!

-What did a day at the office look like for Moses?

-People bringing their disputes, one after another, all day long!

-And you know how people are – they bring their disputes and get into

disputes while they’re there! (“I was in line first…!)

-If you have people, you have problems –

-And if you have a lot of people, you have a lot of problems!

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Sometimes you must need fresh eyes on something – and that’s what Jethro provides –

v. 14 – “When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said,

‘What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people

stand around you from morning till evening?’”

-There’s a question we should ask more often, “What are you doing?”

-He sees the problem in three parts –

-One – You sit alone.

-It’s not good to be alone.

-Where have we heard that before?

-In the Garden when God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”

-Two – The people stand around –

-This implies there was no order or structure.

-Three – All day long!

-Nerves run thin…

We already know these folks have a problem with grumbling…

-We are looking at an unsustainable system!

Jethro points out that this isn’t going to work for anyone –

-As he says in verse 18 – “You and the people will wear yourselves out.”

-Moses will burn out and the people may resort to anarchy!

Sensible Solution – vs 19-23

The thing Moses was doing was not wrong – it was very much right!

-People need arbitration –

-Where there’s people there’s problems…

-It just that there was a better way to go about it.

-The right thing being done the wrong way – so a solution was needed.

God is solution oriented!

-We see this in the gospel –

-We see this in the early church – Acts 6

The sensible solution –

-One – Moses must continue to teach what is right and wrong –

-vs. 19, 20 – “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, 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.”

-There is right and wrong!

-Everyone can’t just do what’s right in their own eyes are it ends in chaos.

-Example of the Book of Judges

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-Two – Able, qualified men, must be brought in to help –

-v. 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.”

-What great timing for Father’s Day!

-Every man here should aspire to be this kind of man –

-A man who is “able” –

-The Hebrew word can mean “strength, efficiency, competent,

noble”

-A track record of competency.

-A man who “fears God” –

-Brother, there is a God and He’s not you!

-A man who fears God will respect God’s law and submit himself to

it.

-A man who fears God will see the need for law and order.

-A man who fears God is a man who worships God. He doesn’t just

see the need other have for God but the need he has for God!

-A man who is “trustworthy” –

-This man has proven himself in being faithful and worthy of trust

from previous responsibilities.

-A man who “hates bribes” –

-He is honest and ethical.

-He believes and contributes to a just society.

-Three – A structure of responsibility –

-v. 22 – “And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall

bring to you, but in a small matter they shall decide themselves. So, it will be

easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.”

-T.E.A.M = Together Everyone Accomplishes More

Implementation through Delegation – vs. 24-27

So, Moses implements the counsel of his father-in-law –

-The structure of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens is still followed today in judicial

systems like the United States.

-We call it an “appellate court” or “appeals court” system.

-Decisions are made at a local level can be appealed to courts with greater jurisdiction

with the highest being the Supreme Court.

The end goal and result is what Jethro predicts in verse 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.”

-This is the goal of a civil society – people living in peace.

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A Strategy for Leadership

1 – Define your Purpose

2 – Clarify your Strategy

3 – Identify your Team

4 – Satisfy your People