Untitled article by D. T. BOURDEAU

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 15, 1867

FromThe Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 18

JETHRO'S WISE COUNSEL TO MOSES.

By D. T. BOURDEAU

“And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from morning unto the evening. And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? And Moses said unto his father-in-law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me, and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 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, rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all seasons: 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. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he said.” Ex. xviii, 18–24.

All must acknowledge the reasonableness of this counsel of Jethro to Moses. It is so replete with common sense and wisdom, that Moses endorses it at once, and shapes his conduct in harmony with it. It is evident that Moses had more burdens upon him than he could well bear up under, and that, unless he changed his course, he must soon break down under the enormous weight of his responsibilities. But the only way to avert this threatening calamity, was for Moses to appoint men of wisdom, God-fearing and disinterested men, to aid him in his arduous work; and they were to refer to him only such matters as were too deep and complicated for them to decide upon. Thus this eminent and useful servant of God could be preserved unto the people of God, to bless them with his rich counsels and instructions. And even then he would have all the labor that he could well perform.

Now this counsel was not recorded that we might view it as applying only in the age in which it was given. There have been in every age those who have sustained the same relation to the people and work of God that Moses did; and we as a people understand that this is true in regard to those whom God has called to lead out under the last message of mercy. Their gifts and experience are precious to the cause, and we desire to have them continue among us. And how shall this object be gained? We answer, By not rolling upon them burdens that we or others can bear. We are sorry to say that this is frequently done, especially at large gatherings, where matters are brought before them that elders and preachers should decide upon. Brethren and sisters, shall we not learn from the past and reform on this point? It is just such burdens as these that have greatly helped in wearing Bro. White's vitality, and bringing him where his gift and experience were for a time nearly lost to the cause. I trust we shall awake to this subject. Order has been established among us to distribute the burdens in the church equally, that some may not be eased while others are burdened. Let us not be guilty of burdening Bro. and Sr. White with matters that we or others can attend to. They are glad to see us, but it should not be expected that they can visit with all; much less that they should be detained by our relating trials, that we have either brought upon ourselves by our lack of consecration and that we should bear ourselves, or that our elders and preachers should help us in deciding upon. Let us cheer these servants of God as we meet them, and give them the friendly hand, with holy buoyancy and encouraging words.

A word to the wise is sufficient.

D. T. BOURDEAU.