Exodus 18:22 Kommentar

This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. I. Jethro his father-in-law brings to him his wife and children (Exo 18:1-6). II. Moses entertains his father-in-law with great respect (Exo 18:7), with good discourse (Exo 18:8-11), with a sacrifice and a feast (Exo 18:12). III. Jethro advises him about the management of his business as a judge in Israel, to take inferior judges in to his assistance (Exo 18:13-23), and Moses, after some time, takes his counsel (Exo 18:24-26), and so they part (Exo 18:27).

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, Exo 18:1 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, Exo 18:8, and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses had on his hands from morning to evening in judging the people, Exo 18:13, 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, Exo 18:19, which counsel was acceptable to Moses, and he took it, Exo 18:24 and the chapter is concluded with their friendly parting, Exo 18:27.

If thou shall do this thing,.... Hearken to the advice given, and put it in execution, by choosing out of the people, and placing over them, judges qualified, as directed: and God command thee so; for he did not desire him to follow his advice any further than it appeared to be according to the will of God, which he doubted not he would inquire about; and if he found it was agreeable to it, and should pursue it: then thou shall be able to endure; to continue in his office and post, and hold on for years to come, God granting him life and health; whereas otherwise, in all human probability, he must waste and wear away apace: and all this people shall also go to their place in peace; having had their cases heard and tried, and their differences adjusted to satisfaction; and quick dispatch being made, they would return to their tents or places of abode in much peace of mind, and sit down contented with the determination made, and pleased that the lawsuit was not protracted to any unreasonable length of time. Jarchi interprets all this people, of Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and the seventy elders that came with him, as if they by this means would be eased, and so pleased with it.

Jethro, called the father-in-law of Moses, hearing of the deliverance which God had granted to Israel, Exo 18:1, took Zipporah and her two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, and brought them to Moses, when the Israelites were encamped near Horeb, Exo 18:2-5. He sends to Moses, announcing his arrival, Exo 18:6. Moses goes out to meet him, Exo 18:7, and gives him a history of God's dealings with the Israelites, Exo 18:8. Jethro greatly rejoices, and makes striking observations on the power and goodness of God, Exo 18:9-11. He offers burnt-offerings and sacrifices to Jehovah, and Aaron and all the elders of Israel feast with him, Exo 18:12. The next day Jethro, observing how much Moses was fatigued by being obliged to sit as judge and hear causes from morning to evening, Exo 18:13, inquires why he did so, Exo 18:14. Moses answers, and shows that he is obliged to determine causes between man and man, and to teach them the statutes and laws of God, Exo 18:15, Exo 18:16. Jethro finds fault, and counsels him to appoint men who fear God, love truth, and hate covetousness, to be judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, to judge and determine in all smaller matters, and refer only the greater and most important to himself, Exo 18:17-22; and shows that this plan will be advantageous both to himself and to the people, Exo 18:23. Moses hearkens to the counsel of Jethro, and appoints proper officers over the people, who enter upon their functions, determine all minor causes, and refer only the most difficult to Moses, Exo 18:24-26. Moses dismisses Jethro, who returns to his own country, Exo 18:27.

VISIT OF JETHRO. (Exo. 18:1-27) Jethro . . . came . . . unto Moses, &c.--It is thought by many eminent commentators that this episode is inserted out of its chronological order, for it is described as occurring when the Israelites were "encamped at the mount of God." And yet they did not reach it till the third month after their departure from Egypt (Exo 19:1-2; compare Deu 1:6, Deu 1:9-15).