Lessons From Jethro


The Lone Ranger rides again!
There's Power in Praying Together.
Elijah operated as a solo prophet for years until his ego, pride, and discouragement wiped him out. (1 Kings 19) From that time onward God changed his life and ministry by giving him a prayer partner, a soul-mate, a kindred-spirit intercessor. It was only in that context that the "mantle" could be passed on.

A Biblical Principle
Now there is an interesting biblical principle. Mantles are passed from person to person. Anointing rubs off. As Dr. James Kennedy coined in his Evangelism Explosion training, "It is better caught, than taught." Passion in prayer, and anointed praying cannot be taught. It is caught, like a cold or a virus it spreads form one person to another. That was certainly the case in the early church with the manifestation and outpourings of the Holy Spirit. The flame spread from person to person. That’s God’s way!

Wearing Out
Back in the Old Testament Moses example reinforces that principle. Moses was a one-man-show until his father-in-law, Jethro, saw the foolishness of his Lone Ranger strategy. Wisely Jethro urged Moses to enlist the help of others in his ministry. His observations were correct; "What is this thing you are doing to the people? This thing you are doing is not good. You will surely wear away (literally, ‘fading you will fade") you, and this people with you. This thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself." (Exodus 18:14-18

Together, Not Alone
He was advised to set up other wise and godly men to share in the ministry. (verse 21) You see God’s intention is never to have solo servants. God ordained a team ministry for all of his ministering servants from Jethro to Jesus. In the very same context, one chapter later in Exodus 19, and verse 6 God declared, "You shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation."

Moses was a hero, and a hero has an image to keep.But God isn't into solo heros. He wants to teach us to depend on him, and share the glory of answered prayer.