Exodus 18:17

17 Then Jethro said, "You are not doing this right.

Exodus 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 18:17

And Moses's father in law said unto him
Having observed what he did, and heard his answer to the question he put to him:

the thing that thou doest is not good;
not meaning that it was not morally good, or that it was morally evil; for it was certainly a good thing to inquire of the mind and will of God for the people, and to hear and decide matters in controversy between them, and do justice to both parties; but it was not good for the health of Moses; it was not commodious and convenient for him; it was not for his bodily welfare; it was too much for him, as he explains himself in the next verse.

Exodus 18:17 In-Context

15 Moses answered, "I must do this because the people come to me to learn God's will.
16 When two people have a dispute, they come to me, and I decide which one of them is right, and I tell them God's commands and laws."
17 Then Jethro said, "You are not doing this right.
18 You will wear yourself out and these people as well. This is too much for you to do alone.
19 Now let me give you some good advice, and God will be with you. It is right for you to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to him.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.