1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, [and] that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;
2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one [was] Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
4 And the name of the other [was] Eliezer; for the God of my father, [said he, was] mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
5 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of [their] welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, [and] all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and [how] the LORD delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed [be] the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that the LORD [is] greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly [he was] above them.
12 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What [is] this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make [them] know the statutes of God, and his laws.
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.
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.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Summary of Exodus Chapter 18
Exodus Chapter 18 recounts the arrival of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, to meet Moses after the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Jethro brings with him Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. The chapter highlights themes of leadership, delegation, and the importance of wise counsel.
Key Events
- Jethro’s Arrival
- Moses’ Greeting and Sharing of Experiences
- Jethro’s Advice on Leadership
- Moses’ Implementation of Jethro’s Suggestions
Detailed Analysis
Jethro’s Arrival
Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, hears about the miracles God performed for the Israelites. He decides to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and their sons. This reunion signifies the importance of family and support systems during challenging times.
Moses’ Greeting and Sharing of Experiences
Upon meeting Jethro, Moses expresses his gratitude and shares the story of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. This moment emphasizes the importance of storytelling and sharing experiences as a means of building relationships and reinforcing faith.
Jethro’s Advice on Leadership
After hearing Moses’ account, Jethro observes Moses’ heavy workload as he judges the people from morning until evening. He offers practical advice:
- Delegate responsibilities to capable leaders.
- Establish a system where leaders handle smaller cases, while Moses focuses on major issues.
- Choose leaders who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain.
This advice is crucial as it addresses the issue of burnout and inefficiency in leadership. It illustrates the need for shared leadership and the wisdom in empowering others.
Moses’ Implementation of Jethro’s Suggestions
Moses heeds Jethro’s counsel and begins to appoint leaders over the people, creating a hierarchical structure for governance. This decision not only alleviates Moses’ burden but also fosters community involvement and strengthens the leadership framework among the Israelites.
Thematic Elements
- Leadership and Delegation: The chapter underscores the importance of effective leadership and the necessity of sharing responsibilities.
- Family and Support: Jethro’s visit highlights the role of family support in times of transition and challenge.
- Wisdom and Counsel: The value of seeking and accepting wise counsel is a central theme, showcasing the importance of mentorship.
Conclusion
Exodus Chapter 18 serves as a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites’ journey, illustrating essential principles of leadership, the importance of community, and the value of wise counsel. Jethro’s advice not only aids Moses in his role but also sets a precedent for future governance among the Israelites.
