17 And Moses' H4872 father in law H2859 said H559 unto him, The thing H1697 that thou doest H6213 is not good. H2896
18 Thou wilt surely H5034 wear away, H5034 both thou, and this people H5971 that is with thee: for this thing H1697 is too heavy H3515 for thee; thou art not able H3201 to perform H6213 it thyself alone.
19 Hearken H8085 now unto my voice, H6963 I will give thee counsel, H3289 and God H430 shall be H1961 with thee: Be thou for the people H5971 to God-ward, H4136 H430 that thou mayest bring H935 the causes H1697 unto God: H430
20 And thou shalt teach H2094 H853 them ordinances H2706 and laws, H8451 and shalt shew H3045 them the way H1870 wherein they must walk, H3212 and the work H4639 that they must do. H6213
21 Moreover thou shalt provide H2372 out of all the people H5971 able H2428 men, H582 such as fear H3373 God, H430 men H582 of truth, H571 hating H8130 covetousness; H1215 and place H7760 such over them, to be rulers H8269 of thousands, H505 and rulers H8269 of hundreds, H3967 rulers H8269 of fifties, H2572 and rulers H8269 of tens: H6235
22 And let them judge H8199 the people H5971 at all seasons: H6256 and it shall be, that every great H1419 matter H1697 they shall bring H935 unto thee, but every small H6996 matter H1697 they shall judge: H8199 so shall it be easier H7043 for thyself, and they shall bear H5375 the burden with thee.
23 If thou shalt do H6213 this thing, H1697 and God H430 command H6680 thee so, then thou shalt be able H3201 to endure, H5975 and all this people H5971 shall also go H935 to their place H4725 in peace. H7965
24 So Moses H4872 hearkened H8085 to the voice H6963 of his father in law, H2859 and did H6213 all that he had said. H559
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Exodus 18
Commentary on Exodus 18 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 18
Ex 18:1-27. Visit of Jethro.
1-5. Jethro … came … unto Moses, &c.—It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Ex 19:1, 2; compare De 1:6, 9-15).
6. and thy wife, and her two sons—See Ex 4:20.
7. Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, &c.—Their salutations would be marked by all the warm and social greetings of Oriental friends (see on Ex 4:27)—the one going out to "meet" the other, the "obeisance," the "kiss" on each side of the head, the silent entrance into the tent for consultation; and their conversation ran in the strain that might have been expected of two pious men, rehearsing and listening to a narrative of the wonderful works and providence of God.
12. Jethro … took a burnt offering—This friendly interview was terminated by a solemn religious service—the burnt offerings were consumed on the altar, and the sacrifices were peace offerings, used in a feast of joy and gratitude at which Jethro, as priest of the true God, seems to have presided, and to which the chiefs of Israel were invited. This incident is in beautiful keeping with the character of the parties, and is well worthy of the imitation of Christian friends when they meet in the present day.
13-26. on the morrow … Moses sat to judge the people, &c.—We are here presented with a specimen of his daily morning occupations; and among the multifarious duties his divine legation imposed, it must be considered only a small portion of his official employments. He appears in this attitude as a type of Christ in His legislative and judicial characters.
the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening, &c.—Governors in the East seat themselves at the most public gate of their palace or the city, and there, amid a crowd of applicants, hear causes, receive petitions, redress grievances, and adjust the claims of contending parties.
17. Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing … is not good—not good either for Moses himself, for the maintenance of justice, or for the satisfaction and interests of the people. Jethro gave a prudent counsel as to the division of labor [Ex 18:21, 22], and universal experience in the Church and State has attested the soundness and advantages of the principle.
23. If thou shalt do this thing, &c.—Jethro's counsel was given merely in the form of a suggestion; it was not to be adopted without the express sanction and approval of a better and higher Counsellor; and although we are not informed of it, there can be no doubt that Moses, before appointing subordinate magistrates, would ask the mind of God, as it is the duty and privilege of every Christian in like manner to supplicate the divine direction in all his ways.