Have you ever heard of Jethro? He’s not as famous as Moses or Joshua, but his story shows us something really important: God can use anyone, even in ways that seem small, to make a big difference. Sometimes, the advice we give, the help we offer, or the wisdom we share can have a ripple effect far greater than we imagine.
Jethro was Moses’ father-in-law, a priest of Midian. He wasn’t an Israelite, but he had a deep respect for God and a lot of wisdom. After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, Jethro came to visit Moses in the wilderness. When he arrived, he saw something that concerned him.
Moses was trying to do everything on his own. He was the leader of a massive group of people, and they came to him with every problem, big or small. From morning until evening, Moses would sit and listen to their disputes, offering advice and making decisions. It was exhausting work, and Jethro could see that it was wearing Moses out.
Now, it would have been easy for Jethro to just keep quiet. After all, Moses was the leader chosen by God, and Jethro was just his father-in-law. But Jethro didn’t stay silent. He cared about Moses too much to let him burn out. So, he spoke up.
Jethro said to Moses, “What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone” (Exodus 18:17-18). He then offered a simple but brilliant solution: Moses should appoint capable men to serve as judges over smaller groups of people. They could handle the simpler cases, while Moses would only deal with the most difficult ones. This way, Moses wouldn’t be overwhelmed, and the people would still get the help they needed.
Moses listened to Jethro’s advice, and it changed everything. By delegating some of the responsibilities, Moses was able to focus on what really mattered—leading the people and hearing from God. The entire nation of Israel benefited from this wise counsel, and it all started with Jethro, a man who wasn’t afraid to speak up and offer a helping hand.
Jethro’s contribution might seem small—after all, he just gave some advice—but it had a huge impact. Without Jethro’s wisdom, Moses could have easily burned out, and the people might have suffered from the lack of leadership. Jethro’s story reminds us that sometimes, the things we consider insignificant can actually be a big deal in God’s eyes.
How many times do we overlook the small things we can do to help others? We might think, “What difference can my advice, my encouragement, or my support really make?” But Jethro shows us that God can use even the simplest acts of kindness and wisdom to bring about great change. We never know how God might use our words or actions to impact someone else’s life.
God used Jethro in a powerful way, not by giving him a grand mission or a mighty task, but by giving him the wisdom to offer help where it was needed most. And Jethro didn’t hesitate to step in. He cared enough to see what was happening, and he had the courage to speak up. His advice didn’t just help Moses; it helped the entire nation of Israel.
So, what can we learn from Jethro? We learn that in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as an insignificant contribution. Whether it’s a word of advice, a helping hand, or a listening ear, God can use our small acts of service to bring about big changes. Jethro’s story encourages us to be attentive, to care deeply, and to be bold enough to offer our help, even when it seems like a small thing.
In a world that often values the big and the bold, Jethro’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, it’s the quiet acts of wisdom and kindness that have the most lasting impact. God sees and values every contribution, no matter how small it might seem. And when we offer what we have, God can use it in ways we could never imagine. Just like Jethro, we can make a difference by being willing to step up and offer what we can, trusting that God will use it for His greater purpose.