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 show 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.
The book of Exodus is the second book of the Old Testament in the Holy Bible. It continues the story of the Israelites who were enslaved in Egypt and their journey to freedom led by Moses. Chapter 18 of Exodus is a pivotal chapter in the book, as it marks a significant shift in the Israelites' journey. In this chapter, we see the arrival of Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, and his wise counsel, which brings about organizational and spiritual changes to the Israelites. The main themes of this chapter revolve around leadership, delegation, and the importance of seeking wise counsel.
The chapter begins with the arrival of Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law. Jethro had heard of the Israelites' journey and the miracles that God had performed for them, and he came to see for himself. This is the first time that Moses is reunited with his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, since he left Midian to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Jethro was overjoyed to see his family, and they all shared a meal together. This reunion is significant as it shows that despite the hardships and challenges, Moses' family is still intact, and they are able to be together again.
This reunion also highlights the importance of family and the support system it provides. Despite Moses' great responsibility as the leader of the Israelites, he still takes the time to be with his family and share a meal with them. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great tasks, it is essential to prioritize and nurture relationships with loved ones.
The next day, Jethro observes Moses as he sits from morning till evening, judging and settling disputes among the Israelites. Seeing this, Jethro advises Moses to delegate some of his responsibilities by appointing capable leaders to handle smaller disputes, while he handles the more significant ones. Jethro's wise counsel is based on the principle of division of labor, and it highlights the importance of effective leadership.
Jethro's counsel also shows that even great leaders like Moses need help and cannot do everything on their own. By delegating responsibilities, Moses is able to focus on the more critical tasks and not get overwhelmed by the smaller ones. This is a valuable lesson for leaders in any setting, as it is essential to delegate tasks and trust in the capabilities of others.
Following Jethro's advice, Moses appoints leaders to handle the smaller disputes among the people. He chooses men who are "able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness" (Exodus 18:21). This criteria for leadership highlights the importance of integrity and righteousness in leaders. It also serves as a reminder that leaders should be chosen based on their character and not just their skills and abilities.
Moses also sets up a hierarchical system of leadership, with the leaders of tens, fifties, hundreds, and thousands. This structure allows for a more efficient and organized way of handling disputes and ensures that everyone has access to justice. This system of leadership also mirrors the structure of the Israelites' encampment, with the tribes arranged in a similar order. This shows the importance of structure and organization in a community.
After witnessing the organization and structure of the Israelites' leadership, Jethro praises God and acknowledges Him as the one true God. He says, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods; for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them" (Exodus 18:11). This recognition of God's power and authority is significant as it shows that even those who were not part of the Israelites' journey can see and acknowledge the greatness of God.
Jethro's recognition of God also serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing one's faith and experiences with others. Through Moses' leadership and the miracles God performed, Jethro was able to see the power of God and come to believe in Him. This highlights the impact that one's actions and faith can have on others.
The main themes of leadership, delegation, and seeking wise counsel in Exodus chapter 18 hold valuable lessons for leaders in any setting. It highlights the importance of effective leadership, the need for delegation, and the benefits of seeking wise advice. It also emphasizes the importance of integrity and righteousness in leaders and the significance of structure and organization in a community.
This chapter also serves as a reminder of the power and grace of God. Through Jethro's recognition of God, we see that even those who were not part of the Israelites' journey can come to know and believe in God. It also shows that God can use even the most unlikely people, like Jethro, to bring about change and wisdom.
In addition, the reunion of Moses with his family highlights the importance of nurturing relationships and finding balance in one's responsibilities. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of great tasks, it is essential to prioritize and value one's loved ones.
Overall, Exodus chapter 18 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Exodus, as it marks a significant shift in the Israelites' journey. It brings about organizational and spiritual changes that serve as valuable lessons for leaders and individuals alike. It also highlights the power and grace of God and the importance of family and community.
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