Iron Sharpens Iron: Why You Weren't Meant to Carry the Load Alone

Happy Sunday. About 3,500 years ago, Moses was the mouthpiece for God. I think it's fair to say that he was the most powerful man on the planet at the time. Now, some may argue that Pharaoh would be most powerful, but if you know the story, Moses prevails.

Obviously, God prevails, yet he used his servant Moses in great ways. The exploits of Moses are legendary. Standing up to Pharaoh, leading the children of Israel out of bondage, calling down the plagues upon Egypt, parting the Red Sea. In chapter 18 of Exodus, we read a story of Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro.

Now, Jethro was aware of all of the exploits of his son-in-law, and he had to be impressed. His daughter did well. While Jethro was visiting, he watched how crazy busy Moses was. And verse 13 of Exodus 18 says, "Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening."

Jethro sees Moses settling squabbles and petty arguments, and he thought it was a waste of Moses' time, something he should delegate. So, Jethro goes to his son-in-law, likely again the most powerful man on the planet, and he says, "What is this you're doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge while all these people stand around from morning till evening? What you are doing, Moses, is not good.

You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me, and I'll give you some advice, and may God be with you.

You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions and show them the way that they are to live and how they are to behave. But, select capable men from all the people, men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain, and appoint them as officials over thousands, over hundreds, over 50s and over 10s. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times.

But, have them bring every difficult case to you. The simple cases they can decide for themselves. Now, Moses, that will make your load lighter because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you'll be able to stand the strain and all these people will go home satisfied.

That was his advice. And I think Jethro is a brave man giving unsolicited advice to the most powerful man that existed. That was courageous. He could have kept quiet.

He could have left things alone, but no, Jethro loved Moses and he wanted to help and he came to him out of love. Now, as the story goes on, we're told that Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything that he said. And this story leads us to today's verse from Proverbs. In chapter 27 verse 17, we see this great truth.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. I'm a woodworker and I have diamond hones that sharpen tools. People use grinders to sharpen blades.

Perhaps you have a chef uh a honing rod as a chef to sharpen a knife with. In the metallurgical world, iron is used to sharpen iron. In this verse, friends, are used to sharpen friends. God used Jethro to sharpen to improve Moses.

I love what Jethro did as he began to speak to Moses. He said, "Listen now to me and I will give you some advice and may God be with you." Jethro did this from a point of love. It's likely that he prayed about it and he sought God's wisdom before he spoke.

That's a great example. If we're to help our friends, we should share from love and compassion and not just lash out. There's a big difference between telling someone, "I'm concerned about you and I want to share this with you." versus telling someone, "You big dummy, I can't believe you're so stupid."

You know people like that. Sharpening iron is not a gentle process. There's contact, pressure, even friction. But the purpose is not damage, it is usefulness.

Sharpening iron is not permission to be harsh. It should be done with love after prayer. Today, I am thankful for my true friends who have helped shape me over the years. Every now and then I'll ask my wife, "How would you change me?

What area do I need to improve in?" I'm thankful for her guidance and for her loving suggestions. Maybe you need to ask that question of a trusted friend. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Pray with me. Lord, we probably take our friends and family for granted. Thank you for those people that love us enough to speak up. Help us if we are trying to help another one to do it out of a position of love covered with prayer.

Help Help us to be careful with our words and wise with our words. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. God bless.

Have a wonderful week.