Exodus 18: Wise Counsel From Jethro
Moses' father-in-law rejoices in God's deliverance, then counsels Moses to share the burden of judging by appointing capable leaders.
Exodus 18 (WEB)
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Yahweh had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, received Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her away,
3 and her two sons. The name of one son was Gershom, for Moses said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land”.
4 The name of the other was Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword.”
5 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the Mountain of God.
6 He said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, have come to you with your wife, and her two sons with her.”
7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and bowed and kissed him. They asked each other of their welfare, and they came into the tent.
8 Moses told his father-in-law all that Yahweh had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardships that had come on them on the way, and how Yahweh delivered them.
9 Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Yahweh had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 Jethro said, “Blessed be Yahweh, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the thing in which they dealt arrogantly against them.”
12 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13 On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from the morning to the evening.
14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, “What is this thing that you do for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning to evening?”
15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
16 When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you; for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone.
19 Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
20 You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
22 Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.
23 If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all of these people also will go to their place in peace.”
24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
25 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 They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way into his own land.
Exodus 18 (KJV)
1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt;
2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back,
3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:
5 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:
6 And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father in law all that the Lord had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the Lord had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
12 And Jethro, Moses’ father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father in law before God.
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 to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:
16 When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do 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 that is 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 God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew 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.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
25 And 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 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Exodus 18 (ASV)
1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, how that Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt.
2 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her away,
3 and her two sons; of whom the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been a sojourner in a foreign land:
4 and the name of the other was Eliezer; forhe said, The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh.
5 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mount of God:
6 and he said unto Moses, I, thy father-in-law Jethro, am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.
7 And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, and did obeisance, and kissed him: and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
8 And Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how Jehovah delivered them.
9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which Jehovah had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.
10 And Jethro said, Blessed be Jehovah, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.
11 Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yea, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them.
12 And Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood about Moses from the morning unto the evening.
14 And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand about thee from morning unto even?
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 a man and his neighbor, 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 that is with thee: for the 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 be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:
20 and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the 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 unjust gain; 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 seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: 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 also shall go to their place in peace.
24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
25 And 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 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
27 And Moses let his father-in-law depart; and he went his way into his own land.
Summary
Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, hears all that God has done for Israel and comes to Moses in the wilderness, bringing Moses' wife Zipporah and his two sons. Moses welcomes him and recounts everything Yahweh did to Pharaoh and all the hardships of the journey and how the LORD delivered them. Jethro rejoices in God's goodness, declares that now he knows Yahweh is greater than all gods, and offers sacrifices, sharing a meal before God with Aaron and the elders. The next day Jethro watches Moses sit alone from morning to evening judging the people's disputes, and he warns that this is not good—Moses will wear himself and the people out, for the task is too heavy to carry alone. Jethro counsels Moses to keep representing the people before God and teaching them his statutes, but to appoint capable, God-fearing, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain to serve as judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They can handle small matters, bringing only the hardest cases to Moses, so the load is shared and everyone goes home in peace. Moses listens, does all Jethro said, and his father-in-law returns to his own land.
Main Characters
- Jethro — The priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, who rejoices in Yahweh's deliverance and wisely counsels Moses to delegate the burden of judging.
- Moses — The humble leader who welcomes his father-in-law, recounts God's works, and gladly receives counsel by appointing capable men to share the load.
- Zipporah — Moses' wife, brought to him by Jethro along with their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, reuniting Moses' family in the wilderness.
- Yahweh (the LORD) — The God whose mighty deliverance Jethro celebrates and confesses to be greater than all gods, the source of the wisdom Israel's leaders are to seek.
Key Verse
Exodus 18:21 (WEB)
Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Lessons Learned
- God's mighty acts draw even outsiders to confess his greatness and rejoice in his goodness.
- Carrying every burden alone is unsustainable and harms both the leader and the people.
- Godly leadership shares the load, raising up trustworthy, God-fearing servants.
- Humble leaders welcome wise counsel, even from unexpected sources.
- Spiritual character—fearing God, truthfulness, integrity—matters more than mere ability in those who lead.
- God's works testify to outsiders. Jethro responds, “Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods” (Exodus 18:11, WEB). The story of redemption draws those outside Israel to acknowledge the true God.
- No one can carry it all alone. “You will surely wear away… for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to perform it yourself alone” (Exodus 18:18, WEB). God designed his work to be shared.
- Choose leaders of character. Appoint “able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain” (Exodus 18:21, WEB). Godly fear and integrity, not just competence, qualify those who lead.
- Wise leaders listen. “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said” (Exodus 18:24, WEB). Humility receives counsel and acts on it.
- What moves Jethro, a Midianite priest, to rejoice and confess Yahweh's greatness?
- What problem does Jethro see in the way Moses is judging the people?
- What qualities is Moses to look for in the men he appoints, and why do these matter?
- What does it tell us about Moses that he readily accepts his father-in-law's advice?
- Where might you be trying to carry alone a burden God means you to share, and who could help?
- Jethro hears the report of all God did to deliver Israel and responds with joy, blessing, and worship (18:9-12). God's saving acts have a witnessing power that reaches beyond his covenant people, anticipating the day when all nations will know the LORD.
- Jethro sees Moses judging alone from morning to evening and warns that he will wear out himself and the people (18:14-18). The task is good but too heavy for one person; even gifted leaders need structures that distribute the load.
- Moses is to seek capable men who fear God, love truth, and hate dishonest gain (18:21). Skill alone is not enough; trustworthy character is essential, because leaders handle people's disputes and must be free from corruption and self-interest.
- Though Moses speaks with God face to face, he humbly receives correction from his father-in-law and acts on it (18:24). True greatness is teachable; secure leaders welcome wisdom from others rather than guarding their pride.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to identify a load they shoulder alone—at home, work, or church—and to name someone who could share it. As leader, affirm that delegation and asking for help are signs of wisdom, not weakness.