Exodus 18:13-23

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 for the people, he said, "What is this thing that thou doest for the people? Why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto evening?"

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 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 who are 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 Godward, 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."

Exodus 18:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 18

This chapter gives an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter, the wife of Moses, and her two sons, meeting him in the wilderness, who was kindly received by him, Ex 18:1-7 and on Moses' relating the great things God had done for Israel, Jethro expressed his joy on that account, gave praise to God, offered sacrifice, and kept a feast with the elders of Israel, Ex 18:8-12, and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses had on his hands from morning to evening in judging the people, Ex 18:13-18, he gave him advice to appoint persons under him to receive laws and ordinances from him, he should have from God, and, according to them, judge and govern the people under them, some being rulers of thousands, others of hundreds, others of fifties, and some of tens, Ex 18:19-23, which counsel was acceptable to Moses, and he took it, Ex 18:24-26 and the chapter is concluded with their friendly parting, Ex 18:27.