Chapter Eighteen
Advice from Jethro
18:1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.
Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, had heard about what God had done for Moses and the Israelites bringing them out of Egypt. Now with Moses back in Midian, Jethro comes out to visit him. Some believe that this event occurred later after the law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai.
18:2 Now Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her home, 3 along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”),
Jethro was coming with Moses’ wife Zipporah, who had left him and returned home after the circumcision of the son (see Exodus 4:25-26), and their two sons. The firstborn son was named Gershom, essentially meaning sojourner.[1]
18:4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”).
Moses’ second son was named in honor of God saving him from being put to death by Pharaoh after killing the Egyptian (see Exodus 2:15). This is the first time the second son’s name is given. The name Eliezer is applied to various people in the Old Testament (first encountered in Genesis 15:2, referring to Abraham’s servant), which essentially means “My God is help” or “God is my helper.”
18:5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6 And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent.
The Israelites were now encamped at the mountain of God, also known as Mount Sinai (and Mount Horeb, used interchangeably). Apparently not far from Rephidim where they fought Amalek and near the rock that Moses struck to get water.
When Moses heard that Jethro was coming with his family, he went out to greet them, and he bowed down and kissed them (undoubtedly the custom of the day). They each enquired about each other’s welfare and then went into a tent.
18:8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them.
Moses told his family all that had happened since he left Midian, including all the details of the chase by Pharaoh’s army, the bitter water, the lack of water, the lack of food, the battle with Amalek, and undoubtedly Moses spoke about the people’s behavior and all their grumbling. Moses made it clear that it was always YHWH who delivered them.
18:9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Hearing about a God that delivers His people, would have been absolutely astonishing to anyone living at that time. Hearing how YHWH delivered the Israelites amazed Jethro, who then rejoiced, not over the hardships Moses and the people of Israel endured, but from recognizing that YHWH is the true God.
18:10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
Jethro’s enthusiasm brings him to proclaim a blessing to God, who delivered Moses and the people from Pharaoh and the hands of the Egyptians. The Hebrew word translated here as ‘blessed’ refers to bending at the knees, the word is used over 300 times in the Old Testament. Many can relate to the concept of God blessing them or others but rarely about people blessing God. We can bless God by recognizing and acknowledging who He is and what He has done for us.[2] Here Jethro joyfully responds appropriately to the news about a mighty God and what he did for his son-in-law and the people.
18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”
Jethro further acknowledges that YHWH is greater than all gods, as the arrogant Egyptians with all their gods and goddesses were no match to YHWH.
Jethro responded to the news about God with great enthusiasm. “Praise the LORD,” Jethro said, “for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt! I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians.” (Exodus 18:10-11, NLT) He was convinced by God’s signs and wonders and was willing to accept the truth and follow YHWH.
18:12 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
Jethro undoubtedly asked Moses how to appropriately seek forgiveness and give honor and thanks to God, as he offers Him a burnt offering and sacrifices, perhaps on the same altar Moses recently built (see Exodus 17:15). Aaron and the elders of Israel join them to eat bread before God. This is considered to be a joyful occasion acknowledging God’s greatness (see Deuteronomy 12:7), some suggest that the meeting was to formalize a treaty while others believe it may have served as a formal admission of Jethro into Israel.
18:13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening.
As their leader, Moses was also responsible for being the arbiter in any disputes. With the potential of several million people having to get along with each other, one can easily see how this task would have been necessary and very time consuming.
18:14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.”
Jethro sees Moses listening and arbitrating with what was probably a sizable crowd. Moses was undoubtedly listening to disputes, conflicts, and complaints over a wide variety of issues. He diligently listened to each person regardless of how long the issue would take. Jethro then asked Moses what was he doing for the people and Moses replied that the people come to him to inquire of God (“for judgment is God’s,“ see Deuteronomy 1:17). Jethro noticed that Moses was taking on this responsibility alone.
In his decisions Moses used the statutes of God and His laws, since no one else knew God and His rules, he was their only opportunity for justice. Through his decisions, he was also teaching them God’s law.
18:17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.
Jethro tells Moses that he is going to wear himself and the people out to exhaustion if they continue meeting like that. He further tells him that the process is simply too much of a burden for one man, and he should not do it alone.
18:19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do.
Before Jethro offers his advice to Moses, he assures him that he will continue to be the one that brings the people’s cases before God and will continue to teach God’s statutes and laws.
18:21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”
Jethro’s advice for Moses was to no longer face these people alone. He suggested that Moses find appropriate men to be as chefs over a varied number of people. They would listen to the people and render decisions, if they cannot decide or if the problem is too great, the matter would be brought to Moses to decide. This way all minor cases could be resolved without taking any of Moses’ time. Jethro concludes by saying, “If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” (Exodus 18:23, NLT)
Moses would still lead the people, but without being worn out. This advice appears to be sound and appropriate, however, many ask the question, “where is God in this advice?” It is true that the advice is coming from Jethro, who only recently became aware of God, but since he is suggesting God-fearing men and includes a stipulation of God’s approval, it does not appear to be a problem.
18:24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.
Moses must have liked the idea and received approval from God, as he did exactly as Jethro suggested. He chose appropriate men to listen to the people and assigned them to listen to the people to act as judges every day. It would seem reasonable to think that Moses trained these men in God’s statutes and law before placing them over the people. This section, combined with the text of Numbers 11:16-30, is believed by some to be the precursor to the leadership council later known as the Sanhedrin.
Soon after Moses was done setting up this network for quicker justice, Moses said good-bye to Jethro, who returned to his own territory (Hebrew word ‘ě·rěṣ’,[3] can be translated earth, land, country, territory, ground, etc.)
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[1] See commentary under Exodus 2:21-22.
[2] See Considerations under Genesis 14:19-24.
[3] Strong’s Hebrew 776.