JETHRO'S VISIT

Before Moses led Israel out of Egypt he sent his wife and children back to stay with his father-in-law, Jethro. Later, Jethro heard of Israel's wonderful deliverance from Egypt. Then Jethro visited Moses in the desert and brought Moses' wife and children to him.SRme 1.546

"Moses went out to meet. . .[Jethro], bowed before him, and kissed him. [Moses and Jethro]. . .asked about each other's health and then went into Moses' tent.SRme 1.547

"Moses told Jethro everything that the Lord had done to the king and the people of Egypt. . .to rescue the Israelites. [Moses]. . .also told [Jethro]. . .about the hardships the people had. . .on the way and how the Lord had saved them.SRme 1.548

"When Jethro had heard all this, he was happy and said, 'Praise the Lord, who saved you from the king and the people of Egypt! Praise the Lord, who saved His people from slavery! Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods, because He did this when the Egyptians treated the Israelites with such contempt.'SRme 1.549

"Then Jethro brought an offering to be burned whole and other sacrifices to be offered to God; and Aaron and all the leaders of Israel went with him to eat the sacred meal as an act of worship" (Ex. 18:7-12).SRme 1.550

Jethro soon saw that Moses had too much work for one person. The people brought all their problems to Moses. Moses instructed them as to how the law of God and the various rules would help them settle their difficulties.SRme 1.551

Jethro said to Moses, "'Now let me give you some good advice, and God will be with you. It is right for you to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to Him. You should teach them God's commands and explain to them how they should live and what they should do.SRme 1.552

"'But in addition, you should choose some capable men and appoint them as leaders of the people; leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They must be God-fearing men who can be trusted and who cannot be bribed.SRme 1.553

"'Let them serve as judges for the people on a permanent basis. They can bring all the difficult cases [problems] to you, but they themselves can decide all the smaller disputes [problems]. That will make it easier for you, as they share your burden.SRme 1.554

"'If you do this, as God commands, you will not wear yourself out, and all these people can go home with their disputes [problems] settled.'SRme 1.555

"Moses took Jethro's advice and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. He appointed them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They served as judges for the people on a permanent basis, bringing the difficult cases to Moses but deciding the smaller disputes themselves.SRme 1.556

"Then Moses said good-bye to Jethro, and Jethro went back home" (Ex. 18:19-27).SRme 1.557

Moses was not too proud to receive instruction from his father-in-law. God had honored Moses and had done wonderful things by Moses' hand. But this did not lead Moses to feel that he himself needed no instruction. Moses gladly listened to the suggestions his father-in-law, Jethro, made, and adopted Jethro's wise plan.SRme 1.558