Exodus Chapter 18

Jethro Visits Moses

¹ Jethro/Reuel, priest in Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard what all God had done for Moses and his people in bringing them out of Egypt. ² He’d taken Moses’ wife Zipporah after Moses sent her away ³ with her two sons Gershom (because he said, “I’ve been a ‘foreigner’ in a foreign land”) ⁴ and Eliezer (because he said, “My father’s ‘God helped’ me, and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword”). ^5-6 Jethro/Reuel came to Moses with his wife and two sons, where Moses camped at the mountain of God. ⁶ He sent word that he was bringing them. ⁷ Moses went out to meet him, bowed and kissed him. They asked each other how they were doing and went into the tent. ⁸ Moses told him what all Yahveh had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, the hardships they’d had on the journey, and how Yahveh had delivered them. ⁹ Jethro/Reuel was overjoyed at Yahveh’s goodness to Israel. ¹⁰ He said,

“Bless Yahveh that delivered you from Pharaoh and the Egyptians’ control. ¹¹ Now I know he^Y is greater than all other gods. He proved it when they dealt arrogantly against the people.”

¹² Jethro/Reuel brought a burnt offering and sacrifices for God, and Aaron came with the elders to eat a meal with him in God’s presence.       

Ex 18:1-12

¹³ The next day Moses sat judging the people. They stood around him from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When Jethro/Reuel saw what he was doing, he asked,

“What are you doing? Why sit to judge so many people by yourself from morning to evening?”

¹⁵ “They come to me to ask God. ¹⁶ When they have a dispute, I decide between them, and teach them God’s laws and statues.”

¹⁷ “That’s not good. ¹⁸ You and the people will both wear out. Your job’s too big. ¹⁹ Here’ssome advice, and God be with you. Be the people’s representative to God and bring the disputes to him. ²⁰ Then teach them the laws and statutes, how they’re supposed to act and what they’re supposed to do. ²¹ Select capable men that respect God, truthful men that hate dishonest gain. Make them leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. ²² Let them judge lesser matters. They can bring major disputes to you. It’ll be easier on you; they’ll help you bear the burden. ²³ If you do that—and God agrees—you’ll hold up under the work, and the people will go home satisfied.”

²⁴ Moses took his advice ²⁵ and chose capable men to lead thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. ²⁶ They judged on a regular basis and dealt with smaller issues. More difficult disputes they took to Moses. ²⁷ Moses said goodbye to Jethro/Reuel, and he went back home.       Ex 18:13-27