EVERY SMALL MATTER

"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." (Exodus 18:22)

WHEN MOSES WAS TENDING SHEEP in the wilderness, before Israel came out of Egypt, Jethro, the priest of Midian, had given him Zipporah, his daughter, as his wife (Ex 2:21). Sometime during Moses' commission to deliver Israel and their actual freedom, he had sent Zipporah and his two sons back to her father. Now, after the deliverance, word of the mighty acts of God got back to Midian. Jethro took Zipporah and her two sons through Moses (Gershom and Eliezer), and went to meet Moses in the wilderness. After he had presented himself and Moses' wife and sons, Moses declared to Jethro how God had mightily delivered them (18:6-8). As a result, Jethro "rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel," saying "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them" (18:10-11). He then presented a burnt offering and "sacrifices for God," while all the elders of Israel ate bread with them (18:12).

THE FOLLOWING DAY, Moses "sat to judge the people," settling grievances they had with one another, and delivering the mind of God on the matters. It was a long day for the man of God, as the people "stood around him from morning until evening," presenting their cases. Here were some counseling sessions that certainly would prove too challenging to the professional counselors of our day!

MOSES' FATHER-IN-LAW, Jethro, observed the events of the day, and became quite concerned about them. He noticed there was a lot of trivia that was unworthy of the attention of a man endued with such wisdom as Moses had from God. He asked Moses, "Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws" (vs 15-16, NIV). The answer was not satisfactory for Jethro. He told Moses what he was doing was "not good." It was not a wise employment of his wisdom and knowledge – settling trivial matters. He and the people would wear themselves out. He said, "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone" NIV (v 18). He then suggested that able and wise men be chosen from the people to judge "every SMALL matter," with only the larger things being brought to him. Moses then implemented the plan, making his burden more bearable.

MANY A PERSON, laboring for the Lord, has worn themselves out dealing with "small matters." It would be like the Apostles spending time administering food rather than preaching and praying (Acts 6:2-4). The institutional church demands such menial servitude, but discerning souls must refuse to give it. There are people who can resolve "small matters," yet are confused by the large ones. There are also people capable of judging large matters, but are worn out by smaller ones. Blessed are the servants of God who can discern such things, and give themselves appropriately to the work of the Lord.

IT IS NEVER GOOD to bombard discerning servants of the Lord with "small matters" that do not require their wisdom and expertise in the Word. It is quite true that the modern church requires this of those they call "ministers." However, men of God must refuse to expend their energy on things that do not have eternal consequences, and can be resolved by others who are better suited for such things. Those who can "handle the Word of God aright" (2 Tim 2:15) must not be asked to wear themselves out serving tables, or doing servile tasks. In the words of "the twelve," "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables" (Acts 6:2). It still is not reasonable to do such a thing – whether it is required by the institution or not.

THERE IS A SUPERIOR WORK to be done by those appointed to feed the sheep. These are they who have been placed first in the church: "And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that . . . " (1 Cor 12:28). The apostles remain with us through their doctrine, as recorded in Scripture. The prophets are those who speak "unto edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Cor 14:3). The teachers are those who expound the things of God to the people. Ephesians 4:11-16 spells out the divinely established objectives for the teaching ministries of the church, and they are intended to be fulfilled.

ANY CONGREGATION that does not allow for the preeminence of these ministries, or seeks to bleed off the energies of those who are in these categories, has, by that very circumstance, ceased to be a valid and productive assembly. Further, those who encourage the maintenance of menial tasks by men of true spiritual understanding must be purged from positions of prominence. Such have violated the will of the Lord. At the very best, they are spiritual toddlers who have no right to lead the people in their tottering and uncertain ways.

– Given O. Blakely