Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Rev Xi An Poon
主題經文：「你和這些百姓必都疲憊；因為這事太重，你獨自一人辦理不了。」——出埃及記18:18
引言
出埃及記第17章，以色列人接連面對兩場危機：先是沒有水喝，百姓與摩西爭鬧；後來又遭受亞瑪力人的攻擊。雖然神使磐石出水，也帶領以色列人得勝，但摩西已經承受極大的壓力。尤其在與亞瑪力人爭戰時，摩西的手漸漸沉重，需要亞倫和戶珥扶住他的手。這已經顯明一件事：即使摩西是神所揀選的領袖，他仍然不能獨自承擔所有事情。
第19章，以色列人即將來到西奈山與神立約，成為祭司的國度和聖潔的國民。但在進入這個重要階段之前，神先在第18章整理摩西的家庭、生命和服侍方式。摩西的岳父葉忒羅，因為聽見神為以色列人所做的一切，便帶着摩西的妻子西坡拉和兩個兒子來見他。葉忒羅不但聽見神的作為，也近距離觀察摩西的生命，發現他正在獨自承擔所有百姓的事情。
葉忒羅提醒摩西：「你這做的不好。」因為這樣下去，不但摩西會疲憊，連百姓也會一同疲憊。第18章讓我們明白，神沒有叫摩西放下使命，而是教導他不要再獨自承擔使命。真正的輕省，不是逃避責任，而是在健康的關係中，接受提醒、彼此連結，並讓合適的人一同承擔。
一、分享神的作為，使人走進關係
經文：出埃及記18:1–12
「摩西的岳父，米甸祭司葉忒羅，聽見神為摩西和神的百姓以色列所行的一切事。」——出埃及記18:1
神拯救以色列人離開埃及，不單是為了以色列人自己，也是要讓外邦人知道耶和華是誰。葉忒羅雖然沒有親身經歷十災，也沒有跟隨以色列人走過紅海，但他聽見神為摩西和以色列人所做的一切，就帶着摩西的妻子和兩個兒子來到曠野。
摩西沒有把自己的成就告訴葉忒羅，而是向他述說耶和華怎樣攻擊法老和埃及人、怎樣拯救以色列人，也述說他們在路上所遭遇的一切艱難，以及神如何搭救他們。
摩西把焦點放在神身上，因此，葉忒羅聽見後便歡喜，稱頌耶和華，並且宣告：「我現今……得知耶和華比萬神都大。」——出埃及記18:11
當人聽見神在我們生命中所做的事，最重要的不是他們稱讚我們，而是他們把榮耀歸給神。葉忒羅後來向神獻上燔祭和平安祭，亞倫和以色列的眾長老也一同來到神面前吃飯。這裏的「吃飯」或「吃餅」，重點是獻祭以後在神面前共同用膳和彼此相交。雖然當時以色列人的主要食物包括嗎哪，經文卻沒有說他們只是在吃嗎哪；重點是葉忒羅從群體之外，走進了對神的敬拜和神百姓的相交中。
同時，葉忒羅也把摩西的妻兒帶回他的身邊。這提醒我們，服侍神並不表示可以忽略家庭。神不只關心摩西怎樣帶領百姓，也關心他作丈夫和父親的生命。疲乏有時不只是因為事情太多，也可能是因為我們在忙碌中失去了關係。當我們重新與神、家人和屬靈群體連結，生命便重新得到支持和力量。
二、接受生命的觀察，看見自己的盲點
經文：出埃及記18:13–18
「摩西的岳父看見他向百姓所做的一切事，就說：你向百姓做的是甚麼事呢？你為甚麼獨自坐着，眾百姓從早到晚都站在你左右呢？」——出埃及記18:14
葉忒羅不但聽見摩西述說神的作為，也親眼看見摩西怎樣服侍。第二天，摩西從早到晚坐着審判百姓，所有大大小小的事情都集中在他一個人身上。百姓若有問題，就要排隊等候摩西處理。摩西的動機是好的。他希望幫助百姓求問神，也要把神的律例和法度教導他們。然而，好的動機不代表所用的方法一定正確。
葉忒羅看見後，很直接地對摩西說：「你這做的不好。你和這些百姓必都疲憊；因為這事太重，你獨自一人辦理不了。」——出埃及記18:17–18
摩西或許已經習慣了這種服侍方式，甚至認為自己正在忠心服侍神，因此沒有察覺其中的問題。但葉忒羅站在旁邊，卻看見摩西自己看不見的危機。我們的生命也是如此。正如保羅所說：「我們成了一臺戲，給世人和天使觀看。」別人不單聽我們所講的，也會觀察我們怎樣生活、服侍和對待身邊的人。
因此，我們需要一些能夠接近我們、了解我們，也願意向我們說誠實話的人。健康的關係不只是彼此安慰，也會幫助我們看見自己的盲點。摩西雖然是神所揀選、帶領百姓走過紅海的領袖，卻沒有因為自己的身分而拒絕岳父的提醒。他沒有為自己辯護，也沒有說：「這是神交託給我的工作，你不明白。」他願意停下來聆聽。
很多時候，當我們感到疲乏，第一個反應是更加努力。但神有時不是叫我們再努力一點，而是要我們謙卑下來，聽聽身邊的人怎樣看我們。走向輕省的第一步，往往不是減少工作，而是承認自己有看不見的地方，並願意接受提醒和調整。
三、建立共同承擔，讓眾人得到平安
經文：出埃及記18:19–27
「要從百姓中揀選有才能的人，就是敬畏神、誠實無妄、恨不義之財的人，派他們作千夫長、百夫長、五十夫長、十夫長，管理百姓。」——出埃及記18:21
葉忒羅沒有叫摩西放下神所交託的使命，而是幫助他分辨：哪些責任必須由他承擔，哪些事情可以交給別人。
摩西仍然要：
- 在神面前代表百姓；
- 把百姓的案件帶到神面前；
- 教導他們神的律例和法度；
- 指示他們當走的路和當做的事。
但是日常的案件，可以交給其他敬畏神、有才能、有誠信的人處理，只有重大的事情才帶到摩西面前。這不是逃避責任，而是分辨責任；不是放棄權柄，而是成全別人；不是把工作推給別人，而是讓神的使命成為眾人共同的使命。
葉忒羅提出建議時也很有分寸。他沒有利用岳父的身分操控摩西，也沒有代替神向他下命令。他說：「你若這樣行，神也這樣吩咐你，你就能受得住，這百姓也都平平安安歸回他們的住處。」——出埃及記18:23
葉忒羅只是提出合宜的建議，最終仍讓摩西把事情帶到神面前，尋求神的確認。
而摩西也顯出屬神領袖的謙卑：「於是，摩西聽從他岳父的話，按着他所說的去行。」——出埃及記18:24
摩西願意放下「只有我才能做」的想法，選立合適的人共同承擔。這樣不但摩西能夠受得住，百姓也能平平安安回到自己的住處。這就是神所賜的輕省：不是一個人甚麼都不做，而是每個人都在合適的位置上承擔自己的責任。
一個領袖若把所有事情和權力都集中在自己身上，最後不但會累垮自己，也會使別人沒有成長和參與的機會。真正屬神的領袖，不只是自己完成工作，更要發現、裝備和成全更多生命，一同建立神的家。
總結
出埃及記第18章向我們顯明一條從疲乏走向輕省的道路：第一，重新進入關係。摩西與家人重新連結，葉忒羅也因聽見神的作為，走進敬拜與神百姓的相交中。第二，謙卑接受觀察。葉忒羅看見摩西服侍中的危機，摩西也願意聽取提醒，看見自己的盲點。第三，建立共同承擔。摩西分辨自己真正的責任，成全合適的人一同服侍，使自己能夠承受，百姓也得到平安。
神沒有叫摩西放下使命，而是叫他放下獨自承擔使命的方式。真正的輕省，不是沒有責任，也不是遠離所有的人；真正的輕省，是在健康的關係中，讓人走近我們、提醒我們、扶持我們，並與我們一同承擔神的託付。當我們願意從「只有我可以做」，走向「讓我們一同承擔」，我們的生命、家庭和服侍就能在神的次序中，從疲乏走向輕省。
省察
- 我現在的疲乏，是否因為自己承擔了太多本來可以與別人一同承擔的事情？
- 我是否願意讓別人走近我的生命，聆聽他們誠實的提醒，並成全更多人與我一同服侍？
禱告
親愛的天父，感謝祢不但把使命交託給我們，也把家人和同工放在我們身邊。求祢赦免我們常常依靠自己，獨自承擔一切。賜我們謙卑受教的心，懂得接受提醒、分辨責任，也願意成全別人。求祢帶領我們在健康的關係和共同承擔中，從疲乏走向輕省。奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。
Theme Verse: “You will surely wear yourselves out, both you and these people who are with you. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” —Exodus 18:18 NKJV
Introduction
In Exodus 17, the Israelites faced two crises. First, they had no water and contended with Moses. Then the Amalekites came and attacked them. Although God provided water from the rock and gave Israel victory, Moses was carrying tremendous pressure.
During the battle against Amalek, Moses’ hands became heavy, and Aaron and Hur had to support them. This already revealed an important truth: although Moses was chosen by God, he was never meant to carry everything alone.
In Exodus 19, Israel would arrive at Mount Sinai, enter into covenant with God, and be established as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. But before this important stage, God first dealt with Moses’ family relationships, personal life, and way of serving.
When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, heard everything God had done for Israel, he brought Moses’ wife Zipporah and his two sons to meet him. Jethro not only heard about God’s works; he also came close enough to observe Moses’ life. He soon realised that Moses was trying to carry the needs of the entire nation by himself.
Jethro warned him that if this continued, both Moses and the people would become exhausted.
Exodus 18 teaches us that God did not ask Moses to abandon his calling. Instead, He taught Moses to stop carrying that calling alone. True rest does not come from escaping responsibility. It comes through healthy relationships, humble correction, and sharing responsibility with the right people.
- Share God’s Works and Draw People into Relationship
Scripture: Exodus 18:1–12
“And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people.” —Exodus 18:1 NKJV
God delivered Israel from Egypt not only for Israel’s sake, but also so that the nations might know who the Lord is.
Jethro had not personally witnessed the ten plagues or walked through the Red Sea. However, when he heard everything God had done for Moses and Israel, he brought Moses’ wife and sons into the wilderness to meet him.
Moses did not tell Jethro about his own achievements. Instead, he testified about what the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians, the difficulties Israel had experienced along the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.
Because Moses placed the focus on God, Jethro rejoiced, blessed the Lord, and declared:
“Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods.” —Exodus 18:11 NKJV
When people hear what God has done in our lives, the purpose is not for them to admire us. It is for them to recognise God and give glory to Him.
Jethro then offered a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and the elders of Israel joined him in eating a meal before God. Although manna was one of Israel’s main foods at that time, the passage does not specifically say that they ate only manna. The emphasis is that they shared a sacrificial meal together in God’s presence.
Jethro had been outside the community, but after hearing about God’s works, he entered into worship and fellowship with God’s people.
Jethro also brought Moses’ wife and sons back to him. This reminds us that serving God does not give us permission to neglect our families. God cared not only about Moses’ leadership of Israel, but also about his life as a husband and father.
Sometimes we are weary not only because we have too much work, but because busyness has disconnected us from important relationships. When we reconnect with God, our family, and our spiritual community, our lives begin to receive strength again.
- Receive Honest Observation and Recognise Our Blind Spots
Scripture: Exodus 18:13–18
“So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, ‘What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?’” —Exodus 18:14 NKJV
Jethro not only heard Moses’ testimony about God’s works; he also observed how Moses served.
The following day, Moses sat from morning until evening judging the people. Every matter, great or small, came to him, and the people had to stand and wait for him to resolve their problems.
Moses had good intentions. He wanted to help the people seek God and teach them God’s statutes and laws. However, good intentions do not always mean that our methods are healthy.
When Jethro saw what was happening, he spoke directly to Moses: “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out.” —Exodus 18:17–18 NKJV
Moses may have become accustomed to this pattern. He may even have believed that he was simply being faithful to God. Yet Jethro could see a danger that Moses could not see for himself.
Our lives are also being observed. Paul said that we have been made “a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” People do not only listen to what we say; they also observe how we live, serve, and treat those around us.
We therefore need people who can come close to us, understand us, and speak honestly to us. Healthy relationships do more than comfort us—they also help us recognise our blind spots.
Although Moses was God’s chosen leader who had led Israel through the Red Sea, he did not reject his father-in-law’s advice. He did not defend himself or say, “God gave me this ministry, so you do not understand.” He was willing to stop and listen.
When we become exhausted, our first reaction may be to work even harder. Yet sometimes God is not asking us to try harder. He may be asking us to humble ourselves and listen to what the people around us can see.
The first step towards rest is often not doing less, but admitting that there are things we cannot see and being willing to receive correction.
- Share Responsibility So That Everyone May Find Peace
Scripture: Exodus 18:19–27
“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.” —Exodus 18:21 NKJV
Jethro did not tell Moses to abandon the calling God had given him. Instead, he helped Moses distinguish between the responsibilities he must carry and those that could be entrusted to others.
Moses still needed to:
- Represent the people before God;
- Bring their difficult matters before God;
- Teach them God’s statutes and laws;
- Show them the way they should walk and the work they should do.
The everyday cases, however, could be handled by trustworthy people who feared God. Only the difficult matters needed to be brought to Moses.
This was not escaping responsibility, but recognising responsibility. It was not giving away his authority, but empowering others. It was not pushing work onto other people, but allowing God’s mission to become a shared mission.
Jethro also showed wisdom and proper boundaries when giving his advice. He did not use his position as Moses’ father-in-law to control him, nor did he claim to speak in God’s place. He said:
“If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” —Exodus 18:23 NKJV
Jethro offered wise counsel, but Moses still needed to bring it before God and receive His confirmation.
Moses then demonstrated the humility of a godly leader: “So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” —Exodus 18:24 NKJV
Moses released the idea that everything depended on him. He appointed suitable people to share the responsibility. As a result, Moses could endure, and the people could return home in peace.
This is the kind of rest God gives. It does not mean that no one carries responsibility. It means that everyone carries the right responsibility in the right place.
When a leader keeps all the work and authority centred on himself, he will eventually become exhausted, and others will have no opportunity to grow. A godly leader does not merely complete the work personally; he identifies, equips, and empowers others to build God’s house together.
Conclusion
Exodus 18 reveals a pathway from weariness to rest.
First, we reconnect through relationships. Moses was reunited with his family, while Jethro heard about God’s works and entered into worship and fellowship with God’s people.
Second, we humbly receive observation. Jethro recognised the danger in Moses’ way of serving, and Moses was willing to listen and face his blind spot.
Third, we establish shared responsibility. Moses identified his essential calling and empowered suitable people to serve alongside him. As a result, he could endure, and the people received peace.
God did not ask Moses to abandon his mission. He asked him to abandon the way of carrying the mission alone.
True rest does not mean having no responsibility or withdrawing from people. True rest is found in healthy relationships—when we allow others to come close, speak honestly, support us, and share God’s calling with us.
When we move from “Only I can do this” to “Let us carry this together,” our lives, families, and ministries can move from weariness to rest under God’s order.
Reflection
- Is my present weariness partly caused by carrying responsibilities that could be shared with others?
- Am I willing to let others come close, listen to their honest counsel, and empower more people to serve alongside me?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for not only giving us a calling, but also placing family members and co-workers around us. Forgive us for relying on ourselves and trying to carry everything alone. Give us humble and teachable hearts. Help us receive correction, recognise our true responsibilities, and empower others. Lead us through healthy relationships and shared responsibility, from weariness into Your rest. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church 
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