Exodus 18

Jethro brings Moseh his wife and two sons , v.1, etc.Moseh relates unto Jethro , what great things the LORD had done for Israel ,7. Jethro blesseth God , and offers sacrifice unto him ,10. He counselleth Moseh, to set up Judges , for the judging of small matters ,13. Moseh followeth his counsel , 24. Jethro returneth to his own Countrey,27.

1. Then Jethro, the Priest of Midian , Moseh his father in Law, heard all what God had done to Moseh and to Israel: that the LORD had carried Israel forth out of Egypt.

2. So jethro Moseh his father in law , took Zippora mosehs wife ( after that he had sent her back .) [Heb.after her sending back.]

3. With her [viz. Zippora's] two sons , whereof the ones name was Gersom , ( for he said , [viz. Moseh, when he gave the childe that name .] I have been a stranger in a strange Countrey .) [to wit, in Midian .]

4. And the same of the other was Eliezer , for (said he) The God of my father hath been my help , and hath delivered me from the sword of Pharao .

5. Now when Jethro , Moseh his father in law came to Moseh, with his sons and his wife, into the wilderness , at the Mount of God , [This was Mount Horeb , whereonGod gave the law Moseh .] where he had camped himself .

6. Then said he to Moseh : [i.e. He sent word to him by some Messenger before his arrival .] I , thy father in law came unto thee , with thy wife, and both her sons with her.

7. Then moseh went forth , to meet his father in law , and he bowed himself, and kissed him , and they asked the one the other [Heb. the man his neighbour ,or, companion] of the welfare : [heb. peace . See Gen.37.14.] and they went to the Tent .[to wit, that of Moseh.]

8. And Moseh related to his father in law , all that the LORD had done to Pharao , and to the Egyptians, for Israels sake . all the toilthat had met [Heb.found] them upon that way , and that the LORD had delivered them.

9. Now jethro rejoiced over all the good, which the LORD had done to Israel ; that he had delivered them out of the hannd of the Egyptians.

10. And Jethro said ; Blessed be the LORD , that redeemed you out of the land of the Egyptians , and out of the hand of Pharao; that redeemed this people from under the hand of the Egyptians .

11. Now I know ,that the LORD is greater, then all the gods : [Understand here the Idols of the Heathen nations, called Gods by name , but being none in deed .] for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, [the sense of these words is, That when the Egyptians conceived , that through the help of their Gods , they would soon suppresse and destroy the people of God , they were by God precipitated into the Red Sea, to the scorn and shame of all their Idol-Gods, in whom they trusted .] he was above them .[i.e.he prevailed against, subdued and destroyed them .]

12. Then Jethro ,Moseh his father in law , took burnt-offering , and slay-offerings to God , [i.e. to offer them up in sacrifice to God .] and Aaron came , and all the chief of Israel, for to eat bread with Moseh his father in law [to eat bread doth here signifie , to be at a festivall meal together .] before the face of God . [i.e. in the fear of the LORD : having the LORD before their eyes , or, before the Majesty of God appearing in the cloudy pillar .Compare Deut.12.7. and 27.7.]

13. Yet it happened on the next day , that moseh sate to judge the people : and the people stood before Moseh , from the morning to the evening .

14. When Moseh his father in law saw all that he did to the people ; [i.e. How did he carry and demean himself towards them] he said; what thing is this , that thou doest to the people ? Why doest thou sit thy self alone , [without any assessors , and assistants in Judgement .] and all the people stands before thee from the morning to the evening ?

15. Then said Moseh to his father in law : because the people comes to me , to ask counsel of God . [Oth. to seek God , i.e. they enquire , what doth agree with the will and command or law of God ; see 1 Sam.9.9.]

16. When they have a cause , then they come to me , to judge between the man and his neighbour :and that I may make known (unto them) Gods institutions and his law .

17. Yet moseh his father in law , said to him : the thing is not good which thou doest . [To wit, in that manner , that thou doest all alone thus .]

18. Thou wilt wholly decay [this is a phrase comparatively taken from flowers , leaves , or herbs ; see Deut.1.9,12.Jethro's meaning is ,That Moseh wore himself out , hearing and judging all bussinesse of the people himself : the people likewise was tired and ill satisfied , with warisome attendance , before they could be admitted and heard. Oth. wear away, fall away, faint .Hebr.thou shalt withering wither .] both thou, and this people , [Heb. also thou, also this, etc.] that is with thee : for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou alone art not able to do it.

19. Here now my voice , i will counsel thee , and God shall be with thee : be thou for the people with God , and bring thou the things before God . [As if he should say , it is enough , that thou be employed in great and weighty affairs , wherein Gods own advice or decision must be had , whereof we read , Numb.15.33,4. And 27.5,6. other smaller matters may be dispatched by others.]

20. And declare unto them the institutions and the laws; and make known unto them the way wherein they are to walk, and the work which they are to do.

21. Yet look thou about all the people , for valiant men , [Oth. strong , able , couragious men ; see Gen.47.6.] fearing God, true men , [Heb. men of truth , or faithfulness :] hating covetousness : [unto these qualifications required in Governours of Nations ,Cities, and Countries , Moseh addes some others yet, Exod.2.6. Deuteronomy 1:16. and 16.18. see likewise , 2 Chro.19.7. and Isa.33.15.] set them over them, Chief of thousands , chief of hundreds , chief of fifties, chief of tens :

22. That they may judge this people at all times ; yet so, that they bring all great matters to thee , but that they judge all small matters : thus ease thy self , and let them bear with thee.

23. If thou do this thing , and God command it thee, then shalt thou be able to subsist ; then shall likewise all this people come to their place in peace . [viz. Into the land of Canaan , or each one to his own home , getting their businesse dispatched , without that tedious attendance from morning to night .Thus a mans house is called his place, Judg.7.7. and 9.55. and 19.28,29.]

24. Moseh now hearkened to the voice of his father in law : and he did all that he had said .[viz. After that God had commanded him the same , Numb.11.16. and having likewise propounded it unto the people , Deut.1.14.]

25. And Moseh chose out valiant men, out of all Israel ,and made them heads over the people : [What Instruction and charge Moseh gave unto these men ,see Deuteronomy 1:16,17.] Chieftains of thousands , Chieftains of hundreds , Chieftains of fifties , and Chieftains of tens .

26. That they should judge the people at all times ; bringing the hard matters to Moseh , but judging themselves every small matter.

27. Then Moseh let his father in law depart ; and he went to his Countrey.[viz.Into Midian .]