Exodus 18

Jethro's Advice

1 And a Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that b God had done for Moses and for Israel His people - that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took c Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, 3 with her d two sons, of whom the name of one was 1 Gershom (for he said, e "I have been a 2 stranger in a foreign land") 3 4 and the name of the other was 4 Eliezer 5 (for he said, "The God of my father was my f help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh"); 5 and Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at g the mountain of God. 6 Now he had said to Moses, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her." 7 So Moses h went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and i kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. 8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the LORD had j delivered them. 9 Then Jethro rejoiced for all the k good which the LORD had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

10 And Jethro said, l "Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 "Now I know that the LORD is m greater than all the gods; n for in the very thing in which they 6 behaved o proudly, He was above them." 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, 7 took a burnt p offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel q to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.

13 And so it was, on the next day, that Moses r sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone 8 sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?" 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because s the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 "When they have t a 9 difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws." 17 So Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good. 18 "Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; u you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 "Listen now to my voice; I will give you 10 counsel, and God will be with you: Stand v before God for the people, so that you may w bring the difficulties to God. 20 "And you shall x teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and y the work they must do. 21 "Moreover you shall select from all the people z able men, such as a fear God, b men of truth, c hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 "And let them judge the people at all times. d Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for e they will bear the burden with you. 23 "If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their f place in peace."

24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And g Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the h hard 11 cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and i he went his way to his own land.

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 2:16
    Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their father's flock.
    Exodus 2:18
    When they came to Reuel their father, he said, "How is it that you have come so soon today?
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 106:2
    Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?
    Psalms 106:8
    Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, That He might make His mighty power known.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 2:21
    Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.
    Exodus 4:20 - 26
    Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
  4. Cross References
    Exodus 2:20
    So he said to his daughters, "And where is he? Why is it that you have left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.
    Exodus 4:20
    Then Moses took his wife and his sons and set them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
    Acts 7:29
    Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 2:22
    And she bore him a son. He called his name Gershom, for he said, "I have been a stranger in a foreign land.
  6. Cross References
    Genesis 49:25
    By the God of your father who will help you, And by the Almighty who will bless you With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lies beneath, Blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
  7. Cross References
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
    Exodus 3:12
    So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.
    Exodus 4:27
    And the LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him.
    Exodus 24:13
    So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 18:2
    So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground.
  9. Cross References
    Genesis 29:13
    Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things.
    Exodus 4:27
    And the LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him.
  10. Cross References
    Exodus 15:6
    Your right hand, O LORD, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O LORD, has dashed the enemy in pieces.
    Exodus 15:16
    Fear and dread will fall on them; By the greatness of Your arm They will be as still as a stone, Till Your people pass over, O LORD, Till the people pass over Whom You have purchased.
    Psalms 81:7
    You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah
  11. Cross References
    Isaiah 63:7 - 14
    I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD And the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
  12. Cross References
    Genesis 14:20
    And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he gave him a tithe of all.
    2 Samuel 18:28
    So Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "All is well!" Then he bowed down with his face to the earth before the king, and said, "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delivered up the men who raised their hand against my lord the king!
    1 Kings 8:56
    Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses.
    Psalms 68:19
    Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah
    Psalms 68:20
    Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 12:12
    For I will pass through the land of Egypt on th...
    Exodus 15:11
    Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is...
    2 Chronicles 2:5
    And the temple which I build will be great, for...
    Psalms 95:3
    For the LORD is the great God, And the great Ki...
    Psalms 97:9
    For You, LORD, are most high above all the eart...
    Psalms 135:5
    For I know that the LORD is great, And our Lord...
  14. Cross References
    Exodus 1:10
    "come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land."
    Exodus 1:16
    And he said, "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.
    Exodus 1:22
    So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, "Every son who is born you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.
    Exodus 5:2
    And Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.
    Exodus 5:7
    You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 1:51
    He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
  16. Cross References
    Exodus 24:5
    Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.
  17. Cross References
    Genesis 31:54
    Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
    Deuteronomy 12:7
    And there you shall eat before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the LORD your God has blessed you.
  18. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 33:4
    Moses commanded a law for us, A heritage of the congregation of Jacob.
    Deuteronomy 33:5
    And He was King in Jeshurun, When the leaders of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together.
    Matthew 23:2
    Saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat.
  19. Cross References
    Leviticus 24:12
    Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the LORD might be shown to them.
    Numbers 9:6
    Now there were certain men who were defiled by a human corpse, so that they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came before Moses and Aaron that day.
    Numbers 9:8
    And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
    Numbers 27:5
    So Moses brought their case before the LORD.
    Deuteronomy 17:8 - 13
    If a matter arises which is too hard for you to judge, between degrees of guilt for bloodshed, between one judgment or another, or between one punishment or another, matters of controversy within your gates, then you shall arise and go up to the place which the LORD your God chooses.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 24:14
    And he said to the elders, "Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.
    Deuteronomy 19:17
    Then both men in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.
  21. Cross References
    Numbers 11:14
    I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me.
    Numbers 11:17
    Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.
    Deuteronomy 1:12
    How can I alone bear your problems and your burdens and your complaints?
  22. Cross References
    Exodus 4:16
    So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
    Exodus 20:19
    Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.
  23. Cross References
    Numbers 9:8
    And Moses said to them, "Stand still, that I may hear what the LORD will command concerning you.
    Numbers 27:5
    So Moses brought their case before the LORD.
  24. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 5:1
    And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: "Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them.
  25. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 1:18
    And I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do.
  26. Cross References
    Exodus 18:24
    So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law ...
    Exodus 18:25
    And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and...
    Deuteronomy 1:13
    'Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable ...
    Deuteronomy 1:15
    So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and kn...
    2 Chronicles 19:5 - 10
    Then he set judges in the land throughout all t...
    Psalms 15:1 - 5
    LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may...
    Acts 6:3
    Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you se...
  27. Cross References
    Genesis 42:18
    Then Joseph said to them the third day, "Do this and live, for I fear God:
    2 Samuel 23:3
    The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.
  28. Cross References
    Ezekiel 18:8
    If he has not exacted usury Nor taken any increase, But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity And executed true judgment between man and man.
  29. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 16:19
    You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
  30. Cross References
    Leviticus 24:11
    And the Israelite woman's son blasphemed the name of the LORD and cursed; and so they brought him to Moses. (His mother's name was Shelomith the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    'You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.'
  31. Cross References
    Numbers 11:17
    Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 16:29
    "See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."
  33. Cross References
    Exodus 18:21
    Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
    Deuteronomy 1:15
    So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.
  34. Cross References
    Job 29:16
    I was a father to the poor, And I searched out the case that I did not know.
  35. Cross References
    Numbers 10:29
    Now Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses' father-in-law, "We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, 'I will give it to you.' Come with us, and we will treat you well; for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.
    Numbers 10:30
    And he said to him, "I will not go, but I will depart to my own land and to my relatives.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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