"And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening. 14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? 15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: 16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. 17 And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. 18 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. 19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: 20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: 22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. 23 If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace" (Exodus 18:13-23).
When Moses' father-in-law observed how Moses spent all day everyday counseling and ministering to his people, he gave him some wise counsel. Jethro, Moses father-in-law advised Moses to get some help from faithful men lest he wear himself out. "It was good and sound advice...It could hardly have been better. It is always better to set one hundred men to work than attempt to do the work of one hundred men" (F.B. Meyer).
Notice also that Jethro prefaced his sound advice, "If thou shalt do this thing" (seek able men to help you) with "and God command thee so." In other words, he's saying, "don't just take my word for it, but make sure to check with God and seek his approval." As Christians we should seek the wise counsel of others. But be careful with those so called "prophets" who will tell you that they have a word from God for you. You can learn from others but you must seek God and His will for yourself. You must search the scriptures daily to make sure that what you are being thought from even the godliest of men is sound doctrine (Acts 17:11).
The Apostle John said, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1 John 2:27). Once again, John is not saying that we are not to learn from others, but that we must not rely solely on the teaching of others to know God's will for our lives. God has given each of his children the Holy Spirit that He might personally guide them into all truth. If you pray and seek the Lord through his word, the Holy Spirit will enable you to discern God's will for yourself. If the Holy Spirit does not bear witness in your heart that what someone else in telling you is true according to God's word, you are under no obligation to follow.
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