Exodus 18:13-27 The next day, Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?..”

In this five-part devotion, we will explore the characteristics of a leader as seen in a specific incident in the life of Moses—the greatest leader of the nation of Israel in Exodus chapter 18. The background to this incident is that the nation was brought out of bondage to Egypt through the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea and now, as they wander through the wilderness, God, through Moses, begins to bring order and leadership to the nation.

Some scholars estimate that as many as 2 million people were part of the exodus; with that many people, conflict would arise, and thus the need for leadership. In Exodus 18 we see the set up for dealing with these conflicts—the establishment of the seat of judgment—or the place where people would bring their grievances and have a judgment rendered. In verses 13–16, the Scriptures tell us the problem that outlines the first characteristic of a good leader. Moses, sitting in the seat of judgment, creates a situation in which people must stand in line all day, awaiting the opportunity to state their problem and hear his ruling based on the statutes of God.

The Importance of Listening in Leadership

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, states the problem—the people stand in line all day and are getting worn out waiting… Have you ever felt that way? Jethro goes on to explain the solution and in this we see Moses exhibit perhaps the greatest characteristic of leaders: listening!

First, he does not get haughty or proud, though he is the leader of 2 million people: he listens to others who are in the thick of the issue.

Second, he also listens to Jethro, his father-in-law. Moses understands that he does not know it all and therefore he needs to hear wise counsel. Jethro offers that and Moses listens.

Third, and most important, Moses listens to God. Jethro states that his counsel is wise and if Moses will heed it, God will be with him. He also states that people are to bring their difficulties to God, not Moses. Notice the dramatic shift. God and His statutes are the answer to their difficulties.

Good leadership begins with listening. Listening to others, listening to wise counsel and most of all, listening to God. 

Those are not wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled. Bible Hub