Majoring in the Minors
“They shall judge the people at all times; have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them judge every minor dispute themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.” Exodus 18:22 AMP
Sometimes the terms major and minor aren’t that different. In the Bible there are Major Prophets and Minor Prophets…the Major Prophets aren’t more spiritual/wise, their books are simply bigger than the Minor Prophets’.
However, there can be drastic differences between major and minor things. A major procedure is typically far more invasive/expensive than a minor one. A major car accident usually causes more damage/injury than a minor one.
In today’s verse, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, watched Moses sit from dawn until dusk judging all the disputes people had with one another and making known the statutes of God and His laws (vs. 15-16). He tells Moses what he’s doing is not good and Moses is going to wear out both himself and the people, “because the task is too heavy for you [to bear]; you cannot do it alone” (vs. 17-18).
Jethro advises Moses of a better way (asking God to confirm his advice) in telling Moses to represent the people before God and bring their disputes and causes to Him (vs 19). Rather than do everything for the people, teach them the decrees and laws—show them how they should live and work (vs. 20). Select reverent, competent, honest, God-fearing men and place them as leaders of thousands down to tens (vs. 21).
Exodus 12:37 tells us there were about 600,000 men besides women and children in the wilderness. Can you imagine the number of major and especially minor disputes happening on a daily basis? Moses was majoring in the minors—he just couldn’t see it.
The last several years have been a bit of a blur with multiple family members having multiple health issues. While most of the issues have indeed been major, I felt responsible for handling every minor detail. To say that I wore myself (and those closest to me) out is an understatement. As more and more happened and I got more and more exhausted, the Lord finally told me if I continued at the pace I was going I would end up back where I started 13 years ago with a chronic health condition which basically stopped my life for two years.
The tasks were too heavy for me and I could no longer bear them alone. My husband kept trying to get me to let some of them go…to delegate…and I finally did. I listened to the Lord and started saying no to the things I could. By majoring in the minors, not only did I almost push my health back over the edge, but I didn’t give other family members opportunity to help which, once asked, they invariably did.
Father God, forgive us for sometimes majoring in the minors. Reveal people who can share our burdens and remind us to bring our causes to You. Amen.
I see myself in what you have shared. This past year things are finally settling down and I realized I had to give myself permission to recover and heal. I am having to learn to let go and let others do what needs to be done.
I’m there too. Since my dad died 2-1/2 years ago, my sister and I have mostly been doing what needs to be done for Mom. Some of the hardest years of my life. Yet we had no choice but to trust God, because I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my marriage and my health with too much time in San Jose, and my sister had her own family struggles. Plus, half the time we didn’t know how to proceed anyway. The hardest part is that there seemed to be no other capable people because my never-married brother who is still at home has Aspergers and can’t really manage strangers. So the only capable One is God, and it’s thanks to Him Mom is in one piece still. I don’t dare try to take any credit. I’m so thankful for His provision for Mom and making me a more patient and gracious person in the process.