Exodus 18:17

17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.

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 to inquire of God.

16 When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God."

17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.

18 You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.

19 Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases before God;