When it comes to trials in life, we often think of them mostly as the loss of a loved one or a job, but the reality is we face trials more often than we like to think. We face a trial when we have to work under the pressure of a deadline. We face a trial when we get so busy with our schedules that we get anxiety and depression because we aren’t managing our health and time properly. The list can go on, but you see, these are things that can become easier if we just lighten our load or learn to share the burdens.
In Exodus 17:8-14, Moses had the job of holding the staff up for long periods of time; whenever his hand would begin to drop from being heavy, then Amalek would prevail, but as long as his hand stayed up, Israel would prevail. Aaron and Hur gave Moses a rock to sit on, and they helped support his hands on each side. Moses had help. His load was lightened because others stepped up to help him. How often do we let people help us?
In the very next chapter in Exodus 18, we see Moses had sent his wife and sons to go live with his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro, being a wise priest of Midian, took them right back to Moses and gave wisdom to Moses. Jethro looked at all Moses was doing and noticed he was doing too much on his own.
18:17,
“The thing you that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.”
Jethro then continues to give Moses wise counsel to divide the load with men, to which Moses has taught the laws and statutes and shown how to walk. These men would be rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They would help Moses judge the people at all times. (18:21-22),
“So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.”
Moses had to send his own family away because he didn’t have the time for them. Trials come in many forms. We have to choose to let people help us when it’s needed so we do not wear ourselves out. The saying, “It takes a village,” rings true in many aspects of the church. We need to lean on each other to help us in the good and bad times.
Heather Jones
Heather Jones, is a 2019 Graduate of Bear Valley Bible Institute with a Bachelors of Biblical Studies. Her and her husband and family live in Vance, Al where her husband, Matt Jones is the pulpit minister at the Mercedes Drive church of Christ. Heather has a book, Good Grief through Kaio publications. Her hobbies include photography, drinking coffee and hand embroidery.