Saturday May 02nd, 2026
« Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God »
1 Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the Lord had rescued them from Egypt.
2 Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.
3 (Moses’ first son was named Gershom, for Moses had said when the boy was born, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.”
4 His second son was named Eliezer, for Moses had said, “The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.”)
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses’ wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.
6 Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, “I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons.”
7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other’s welfare and then went into Moses’ tent.
8 Moses told his father-in-law everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles.
9 Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.
10 “Praise the Lord,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!
11 I know now that the Lord is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.”
12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence.
13 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.
16 When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
17 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
18 “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.
19 Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.
20 Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.
21 But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
22 They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
23 If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions.
Spare the rod; spoil the child
Many young people these days see their elders as ‘old school’ and think that they can do without them –
they are making a big mistake.
I know there’s a lot of advancement in science and technology these days,
and that the youth have more access to information than ever before,
but no matter how many resources they have, there is one thing the elders have that they do not, and that is experience.
- The elders have walked the path you are walking now and can tell you the outcome of whatever you are doing, even before you start.
They have experienced far more than internet search engines can show you.
Some of them have made mistakes in the past that you don’t have to make if only you let them guide you.
The problem, however, is that many youths think that they are very wise, and such thoughts can put them in trouble.
There is a popular saying in Africa that what
an elder sees while sitting on a chair, the child cannot see it, even if he climbs an iroko tree.
I learnt a lot from the Late Pa S.G Elton though there were bits of advice he gave at the time that I thought were wrong. Today, I now know he was totally right. Thank God I listened to him.
There are things about yourself that you don’t know and cannot see,
but an elder will see them and advise you appropriately. Proverbs 30:12NKJV says
« There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness »
You could think that your talent and knowledge are enough to make you successful,
but an elder will point your attention to a character flaw that you must get rid of if you really want to be successful.
When you’re employed in an organisation, respect those who have been there long before you.
In church, give ears to what the elders have to say.
At home, don’t neglect the advice of your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties.
When you do this, they will share some of their valuable experiences with you,
and with the help of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom, Isaiah 11:2,
you will be able to put all their bits of advice together wisely.
This will give you an unparalleled advantage over your peers in the journey of life.
Application – The elders in your life are there to guide you with their experiences. Listen to them and honour them.
Author – Bishop Enoch Adejare Adeboye; General Overseer of the RCCG
Posted by Naomie Joseph
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