HELEN SANDERS
5-13-2026
TOO HEAVY

In Exodus chapter 18 we see Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, bringing Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom, and Eliezer back to Moses. He had sent them away earlier but now they were back with him.

Moses told Jethro all that had happened to Pharaoh and how God led the Hebrews out of Egypt. This caused Jethro to acknowledge that Jehovah truly was greater than all gods.

Jethro was the priest of Midian and had much wisdom. He watched day after day as Moses was judging the problems in the over million-man camp. People stood in line from morning to evening awaiting judgment of their situations by Moses. It was a heavy burden for Moses.

Jethro told Moses in Exodus 18:17-18, “And Moses’ father-in-law said unto him, ‘The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.”

Then, like a wise person, he showed Moses the solution. Moses should continue judging the hard cases, but he was to find God-fearing leaders among the Hebrews that would judge the everyday problems. Some would judge thousands, some hundreds, some fifty, and some ten. This would take the burden off Moses.

There are times when you, also, need help when the burden is “too heavy” for you to carry alone. We must never think that it shows weakness in getting help. It actually shows strength that we can trust God enough to let go of some things.

Many leaders burn out because they think nobody can get the job done but them, so they push and push themselves until they cannot do it anymore. Leaders should never have that “only me” kind of attitude. They must trust God to show them who can help them. It not only takes the burden off of the leader, but also gives the helpers an opportunity to be used by God.

This is true in families also. Let your children take on some responsibilities when they are young. This shows you trust them, and will develop character and work ethics in them. Will they make mistakes? Yes, because they are learning; but you will love them and help them get back on track just like God does for us when things get too heavy.