Accepting Worthwhile Advice

“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. . . . “This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. . . . Select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders.” . . . Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. Exodus 18:17-18, 21, 24

When we marry, we commit to leaving our parents and cleaving to our spouse. But leaving parents does not mean that we will not consider their suggestions. After all, our parents are older than we are, and perhaps wiser. Your parents or in-laws may have some good advice.

In the book of Exodus, we see that Moses was an overworked administrator until he took the advice of his father-in-law. Jethro observed Moses spending hours judging all the Israelites’ disagreements and suggested that Moses was on the fast track to burnout. When he shared the principle of delegation, Moses said to himself, Why didn’t I think of that? That night he talked with his wife about the idea and the next day posted a sign outside his office: Help Wanted. Well, not exactly. But he did appoint several managers, to whom he delegated much of his work. It was one of the best decisions Moses ever made, and he got the idea from his father-in-law.

In following Jethro’s advice, Moses demonstrated his own maturity. He did not feel compelled to rebel against a good idea simply because it came from his father-in-law. He didn’t feel the need to prove his own intelligence. Rather, he was secure enough in his own self-worth that he could accept a good idea, regardless of its source. I hope that you will be as wise as Moses.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank you for the wisdom and experience you have given my parents and my parents-in-law. You know how easy it is for me to discount their suggestions. When they give good advice, please show me how to accept it graciously.