When
we look at Exodus 18 we see some important leadership qualities. These
qualities are:
First,
God’s leaders don’t overlook details of His word (18:1-2). Moses had not
circumcised his two sons earlier in Exodus (4:20-26). God brought a strong
rebuke against Moses because of this. Moses sent his wife and children away as
a result. Those in leadership positions for God are held to a higher standard
(James 3) and cannot afford to overlook the commands of God.
Second,
God’s leaders are willing to stand alone (18:3-4). Moses sons were named Gershom and Eliezer. Their names
meant stranger in a foreign land and God is my help respectively. Moses was
willing to be a stranger in a foreign land if that was part of God’s plan. He
was willing to do this because he trusted God enough to trust Him in times of
uncertainty.
Paul
was willing to stand alone with God if need be (2 Timothy 4:16-18). At the end
of his life that is exactly what he was called upon to do. The leader of God
must be willing to stand with no one beside him but God alone if need be.
Martin Luther, when opposing the sinful religious system of his day said, “One
with God is a majority.” That is the mindset a leader of God needs.
Third,
God’s leaders are respectful (18:5-7). Moses was not proud.
He had reason to be. God used him to deliver Israel from Egypt. God had done
great things through Moses. But Moses remained humble as evidenced by his
bowing before Jethro as a sign of respect. God is opposed to the proud but
gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5). Remember that leaders.
Fourth,
God’s leaders give glory to God (18:8-12). Moses shared with his
father in law all that God had done and gave glory to God. The result was
Jethro worshipping God. A leader of God always points people to God not
themselves. Godly leaders seek to decrease and let God increase in the eyes of
those they serve (John 3:30).
The
result is spiritual fruit in the form of conversion. When Moses’ father-in-law
heard the account of YHWH’s victory over Pharaoh and Egypt’s pagan gods he
believed in God: “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in
the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” (18:11)
Fifth,
God’s leaders serve (18:13). Moses served the Lord
from morning to night. He was willing to be spent for the Lord. A servant’s
heart is essential for anyone who wants to be used by God. You can’t serve the
Lord without it! (Mark 10:45).
Sixth,
God’s leaders are teachable (18:14-24). Moses had a heart to
serve but he was serving in a way that would burn him out. Jethro saw this and
counseled Moses to delegate authority to others to spread out the work load.
Moses accepted this wise counsel and was teachable. Leaders don’t’ think they
have to know it all, they are willing to receive teaching and instruction that
will enable them to serve more efficiently and effectively. Teachableness is
what makes leaders good leaders.
Seventh,
God’s leaders teach God’s word (18:16, 20). The godly leadership
of Moses was characterized by relying on God’s word and using it as a guideline
for leadership. Moses taught the word of God (Deuteronomy 1:18; 2 Timothy
3:16-17).
Eighth,
God’s leaders lead by example (18:20). Moses was to “show”
or model and clearly demonstrate what should be done by those he was delegating
to. This is how Jesus taught the disciples; He modeled to them what they should
do (John 13:15; Phil. 2:5).
Ninth,
God’s leaders have the responsibility of selecting other leaders (18:21-22,
25). Looking at this
passage we see Moses took responsibility to “select” other leaders. God’s
leaders take responsibility, or more accurately, they receive God’s authority
and use it for God’s glory.
Tenth,
God’s leaders delegate authority (18:25-27). Moses delegated
authority but did so to qualified men. He implemented what he learned. He took
action. This all made for effective leadership and oversight of God’s people.
Moses chose “able men.” This is how leaders were selected in the book of Acts
too (Acts 6).
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