Exodus 18:13 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Moses’ great zeal and hard work as a magistrate. He had first been used to rescue Israel from slavery, and in that he already pointed forward to Christ. Now he is also used as a lawgiver and judge among them. He answers questions, tells the people what God’s will is in hard cases, and explains laws already given, such as those about the Sabbath and the manna, along with the natural law that concerns worship and fairness (Exodus 18:15).

The people came to ask God for guidance, and it was a great mercy that they had such a sure source to consult. We often wish we had some clear way to know God’s mind when we do not know what to do. Moses was faithful both to the one who appointed him and to the people who came to him. He did not make the laws, he simply made God’s laws known. His place was that of a servant, not a ruler over God’s word (Exodus 18:16).

He also settled disputes and judged cases where people were at odds with each other (Exodus 18:16). If the people were as quick to quarrel with one another as they had been to quarrel with God, then Moses must have had many cases before him. And because their trials cost them nothing, there would likely have been even more. Once, in Egypt, when Moses tried to stop a fight, they asked, “Who made you a prince and a judge?” Now it was beyond question that God had made him one, and they now came humbly to the man they had once rejected.

Moses carried out this work with great care, which may be shown by the calm way he sat to judge (Exodus 18:13). He did it with kindness and openness to the people, who stood before him and had free access to him (Exodus 18:14). The poorest Israelite could bring a case before him. He also showed steady devotion to his duty. Even though Jethro, his father-in-law, was with him, he did not pause for a day off. He sat from morning until evening, even the day after Jethro arrived.

Necessary work must come before social courtesy. It is too much to honor our friends by setting aside what we owe to God, when both can be kept in their proper place. Though Moses was highly honored, he did not use his high position as a reason to leave the work to others. He understood that promotion should increase duty, not lessen it. Anyone who thinks it beneath them to do good is thinking too highly of themselves. Even angels are honored by serving.

Though the people had often provoked Moses and even been ready to stone him (Exodus 17:4), he still made himself their servant. Others may fail in their duty to us, but that does not excuse us from doing ours to them. He was also an old man, yet he kept at his task from morning to night. God had given him unusual strength of body and mind, so he could handle much work with ease and even joy. This also encouraged others to pour themselves out in God’s service, because after all his labor, his strength was not worn out. Those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.

Jethro, his father-in-law, showed wisdom and concern as a friend. He did not like the way Moses was handling things, and he was honest enough to say so (Exodus 18:14, 17, 18). He thought Moses was taking on too much by himself, that it would harm his health, and that it would tire out the people too. So he plainly said, “This is not good.” Even in good work, there can be too much of a good thing. So zeal must be guided by wisdom, or else what is meant for good may be spoken of badly. Wisdom helps us do enough without doing more than we can bear.

Jethro then advised a better way of governing. Moses should keep for himself all matters that directly involved God (Exodus 18:19). That was a special honor that should not be shared with another. Also, anything that concerned the whole nation should still come through him (Exodus 18:20). But he should appoint judges over the tribes and families to hear smaller cases between one person and another. That would make justice quieter and faster than having everything brought before Moses in one large gathering. In this way they would be governed as a nation under a chief ruler, with lower officials appointed under him (1 Peter 2:13-14). Many hands would lighten the work, cases would be heard sooner, and the people would have justice brought closer to where they lived.

Still, if there were a serious matter, it could be brought to Moses, or if the lower judges were unsure, they could send it up (Exodus 18:22). In that way, Moses would be most useful by dealing with the biggest cases. People with the greatest gifts and highest positions can still be helped a great deal by those beneath them, and they should not despise that help. The head needs the hands and feet (1 Corinthians 12:21). Great people should not only try to be useful themselves, but also think carefully about how others can be useful too, according to their ability. That was Jethro’s advice. It shows that while Moses was greater than Jethro in prophecy, Jethro was wiser than Moses in government.

Jethro also gave two important rules for choosing these judges (Exodus 18:21). First, they had to be the right kind of men. They must be able men, men with sound judgment and courage. They needed clear minds and firm hearts, people who would not be shaken by threats or by angry crowds. Second, they had to be men who feared God. A man who knows God is watching him, and who lives in awe of God’s judgment, is less likely to do wrong. Such a person will be steadier against temptation to injustice (Nehemiah 5:15; Genesis 42:18).

They also had to be men of truth, honest and dependable, the kind whose word could be trusted and whose loyalty could be relied on. They should be the kind of men who would not lie, betray a trust, or act in secret against others.

A man is fit for public office only if he has a noble contempt for worldly gain and hates greed. He must not only avoid bribes and refuse to get rich by unfair means, but even reject the thought of such profit. That is the kind of person who despises unjust gain and shakes his hands free from taking bribes (Isaiah 33:15).

Jethro also said that Moses should wait for God’s direction in the matter (Exodus 18:23). He knew Moses had a better Counselor than he was, so he sent Moses back to God’s wisdom. Advice should always be given in humble submission to God’s Word and providence, because these must have the final say. Moses did not reject this counsel just because it came from a man who was not as familiar with God’s revelations as he was. Instead, he listened to his father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 18:24).

When Moses thought it over, he saw that the plan was sound and decided to carry it out. He did so soon after, once he had received God’s instructions on the matter. People are not as wise as they think if they are too proud to accept counsel. A truly wise person listens and grows in understanding, and does not dismiss good advice, even when it comes from someone beneath him.

Moses did not leave the choice of magistrates, that is, public judges and officials, to the people. They had already shown they were not fit for such a responsibility. Instead, he chose and appointed them himself, some over larger groups and others over smaller ones, with the lesser likely serving under the greater. We have every reason to value good government as a great mercy and to thank God for laws and magistrates. Without them, we would be like the fish of the sea, where the bigger ones swallow the smaller.

Jethro then returned to his own land (Exodus 18:27). No doubt he took with him the deeper knowledge of God he had gained, and he shared it with his neighbors for their instruction. It is thought that the Kenites, mentioned in 1 Samuel 15:6, were descendants of Jethro, compare Judges 1:16. They were later given special protection because of the kindness their ancestor showed to Israel. Good will shown to God’s people, even in the smallest ways, will not lose its reward. At the latest, it will be repaid in the resurrection.