Jethro's Organizational Management Scheme for Moses and Israelites Still Used Today
by Owen Borville
August 2, 2019
Bible
After 3,500 years since the time of Moses, Jethro's advice to Moses (described in Exodus 18) regarding a new organizational management scheme is still being used by companies and organizations in today's modern world and reflects how much the Bible has influenced the world today.
As Moses led his people the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land, the journey proved difficult. The people multiplied greatly and Moses attempted to manage all of these thousands of people by himself in the wilderness. Moses and the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years to travel approximately 240 miles because of the lack of organization and the burden on Moses. He had no organizational system to manage so many people. If anyone had an issue, they came directly to Moses and Moses dealt with the issue.
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. Exodus 18:17-20 KJV.
After consulting with Jethro, his father-in-law and Midian priest, Moses was advised to create an organizational chart in which powers were delegated to multiple assistants who were assigned over certain numbers of people. Moses was advised to name several rulers under him, each of which would supervise over thousands of people. Under these rulers would be even more rulers each of which would rule over hundreds of people. Under these would be rulers over 50 and under them would be rulers of 10 people each. This system would create a large organizational umbrella where powers would be delegated to multiple people and smaller issues would be resolved by the lower rulers without need to consult the higher rulers or Moses. Only the most difficult or complex issues would be sent to Moses himself to resolve. This organizational chart would take much of the burden off of Moses and allow him to better lead the people instead of attempting to resolve every issue himself. After following Jethro's advice, Moses and the Israelites reached the Promised Land in less than one year.
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. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Exodus 18:21-26 KJV.
by Owen Borville
August 2, 2019
Bible
After 3,500 years since the time of Moses, Jethro's advice to Moses (described in Exodus 18) regarding a new organizational management scheme is still being used by companies and organizations in today's modern world and reflects how much the Bible has influenced the world today.
As Moses led his people the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promised Land, the journey proved difficult. The people multiplied greatly and Moses attempted to manage all of these thousands of people by himself in the wilderness. Moses and the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years to travel approximately 240 miles because of the lack of organization and the burden on Moses. He had no organizational system to manage so many people. If anyone had an issue, they came directly to Moses and Moses dealt with the issue.
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. Exodus 18:17-20 KJV.
After consulting with Jethro, his father-in-law and Midian priest, Moses was advised to create an organizational chart in which powers were delegated to multiple assistants who were assigned over certain numbers of people. Moses was advised to name several rulers under him, each of which would supervise over thousands of people. Under these rulers would be even more rulers each of which would rule over hundreds of people. Under these would be rulers over 50 and under them would be rulers of 10 people each. This system would create a large organizational umbrella where powers would be delegated to multiple people and smaller issues would be resolved by the lower rulers without need to consult the higher rulers or Moses. Only the most difficult or complex issues would be sent to Moses himself to resolve. This organizational chart would take much of the burden off of Moses and allow him to better lead the people instead of attempting to resolve every issue himself. After following Jethro's advice, Moses and the Israelites reached the Promised Land in less than one year.
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. 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Exodus 18:21-26 KJV.
