Jethro's Advice

An old priest's wisdom: do not carry it alone

Mount Sinai · 1446 BC · Ex 18:1–27

Story

News of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel reached Midian. Jethro, the priest of Midian, brought Moses' wife Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, to the wilderness camp at the foot of the mountain of God, to see his son-in-law. Moses went out, bowed down to his father-in-law and kissed him. In the tent Moses told him everything, all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to Egypt, every hardship on the road, and how the Lord had saved them.

As he listened, Jethro's face brightened. He cried out. Praise the Lord, who has rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods. Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron came, with all the elders of Israel, and they ate bread with him in the presence of God.

The next day Moses sat alone from morning till evening, hearing the people's disputes. When Jethro saw it, he said, Go on like this and you will wear yourself out, and the people with you. Appoint men you can trust, let them handle the small matters, and bring only the great ones to you. Moses did just as his father-in-law said. Then Jethro went home to his own land.

God's Words

What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you to carry alone.

Look among the people for capable men who fear God, who are honest and hate bribes, and appoint them as leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods.

The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Ex 18:1–27

Background

Pause and Reflect