Exodus 18:17

17 Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it.

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 said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me with questions about God.

16 When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions."

17 Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it.

18 You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you - you can't do this alone.

19 Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God.