19 April 2010
Psalm 25; Exod. 18:13-27; 1 Pet. 5:1-14; Matt. 1:1-17,3:1-6

This passage from Exodus is generally cited as wisdom from Jethro that helped Moses to lead the people without burning out and by allowing others to step into leadership roles. It is mainly interpreted approvingly as an Old Testament way of organizing the church to allow for people to use their gifts in the service of God and the people. There is, however, a dissenting voice on this interpretation. That dissent is based in verse 24 where Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all he said. The question arises as to whether God said to do this. It is true that God blessed it, but nowhere else in the book is Moses encouraged to listen to the voice of another with respect to his leadership of the people. We have a great benefit in that we have the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us. We have to be careful in how we use wisdom from others that requires us to see if it comports with the Word and we also have to spend the time in prayer to discern if God is using the person to speak to us on His behalf.

Matthew uses the Word to discern John’s mission and message. John himself pointed to this passage to define his work. What he was calling for was the preparation of a people for the coming of the Lord in accordance with the prophetic word. Preparation was in repentance, the people of God preparing themselves by ridding their lives of sin to receive the holiness of God. John’s message was plain and simple and later, after his death, when Jesus was asked the source of His authority, His response was to ask, “The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" The answer was plainly that it was of God as it fit the Word, but the Pharisees couldn’t say it because they had not believed it. The test of a message is relatively simple, is it Biblical?

Peter exhorts the elders on how to lead God’s people that have been placed under their care. He speaks of the Great Shepherd and the accounting leaders will give to Him when He returns. He then turns to those younger ones to submit to the authority of the elders. All of this, Peter says is to be done in humility. In all things we are to remember that we have an enemy who would love to devour us if given the opportunity. In all these things Peter refers to Scripture to make his arguments. If we are in the Word, and it abides in us, we are able to resist the enemy as Jesus did when faced with temptation.

Make me to know your ways, O LORD;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.