XVIII. THE VISIT OF JETHRO. (1) JETHRO, THE PRIEST OF MIDIAN, MOSES’ FATHER IN LAW. — On Jethro’s probable relationship to Moses, see the second Note on Exodus 3:1. On the priesthood of Reuel, which Jethro seems to have inherited, see Note on Exodus 2:16. It has been very unnecessarily supposed tha... [ Continue Reading ]
(2)AFTER HE HAD SENT HER BACK. — Heb., _after her dismissal._ The fact had not been previously stated, but is in harmony with the general narrative, which has been absolutely silent concerning Zipporah since Exodus 4:26. Moses had sent Zipporah back to her own relations, either in anger, on account... [ Continue Reading ]
(3)GERSHOM. — See Note on Exodus 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIEZER. — Eliezer is supposed to have been the boy whom Zipporah circumcised in the wilderness (Exodus 4:25). He grew to manhood, and had a son, Rehabiah (1 Chronicles 23:17), whose descendants were in the time of David very numerous (1 Chronicles 23:17; and comp. 1 Chronicles 26:25). It is uncerta... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE HE ENCAMPED AT THE MOUNT OF GOD. — It is quite possible that “the mount of God” may be here used, in a broad sense, of the entire Sinaitic mountain-region, as “wilderness” is just before used in the broad sense of the infertile region between Egypt and Palestine. Or the movement described in E... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WENT OUT... AND DID OBEISANCE. — Oriental etiquette required the going forth to meet an honoured guest (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1, &c). The obeisance was wholly voluntary, and marks the humility of Moses, who, now that he was the prince of his nation, might well have required Jethro to bow do... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES TOLD... ALL. — Jethro had only heard previously a very imperfect account of the transactions. (See Note 2 on Exodus 18:1.) Moses now told him all the particulars.... [ Continue Reading ]
JETHRO SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD. — Heb., _Jehovah._ The Midianites, descendants of Abraham by Keturah, acknowledged the true God, and the Israelites could rightfully join with them in acts of worship. But it is scarcely likely that they knew God among themselves as “Jehovah.” Jethro, however, under... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THE THING... — Heb., _even in the matter in which they dealt proudly against them._ Jehovah’s superior power had been shown especially in the matter in which the Egyptians had dealt most proudly — viz., in pursuing the Israelites with an army when they had given them leave to depart, and atte... [ Continue Reading ]
JETHRO... TOOK A BURNT OFFERING AND SACRIFICES FOR GOD. — Jethro had brought sacrifices with him, and now offered them in token of his thankfulness for God’s mercies towards himself and towards his kinsman. He occupied a position similar to that of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18), holding a priesthood o... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE MORROW. — The day following Jethro’s arrival. MOSES SAT TO JUDGE THE PEOPLE. — The office of prince, or ruler, was in early times regarded as including within it that of judge. Rulers in these ages were sometimes even called “judges,” as were those of Israel from Joshua to Samuel, and those o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY SITTEST THOU THYSELF ALONE? — The emphatic word is “alone.” Why dost thou not, Jethro means, devolve a part of the duty upon others?... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses assigns two reasons for his conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THING THAT THOU DOEST IS NOT GOOD. — Weighty as the arguments were, they failed to convince Jethro. He brought forward counter-arguments. By continuing to act as hitherto, Moses would, in the first place, exhaust his own strength, and, secondly exhaust the patience of the people. His practice wa... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD SHALL BE WITH THEE. — Rather, _may Go be with thee._ May He give thee wisdom to direct the course aright. BE THOU FOR THE PEOPLE TO GOD-WARD. — Be the person, _i.e.,_ to bring before God whatever needs to be brought before Him. Continue both to act as representative of the people towards God, a... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVIDE OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE ABLE MEN. — This was the gist of Jethro’s advice. It seems somewhat surprising that it should have been needed. In Egypt, as in all other settled governments, while the king was the fountain of justice, it was customary for him to delegate the duty of hearing causes to... [ Continue Reading ]
AT ALL SEASONS. — Not on occasional court days, as had been the custom of Moses, but day by day continually. EVERY GREAT MATTER THEY SHALL BRING UNTO THEE. — It must have been left to the judges themselves to decide what were “great” and what were “small matters.” Under ordinary circumstances, cour... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU SHALT DO THIS THING, AND GOD COMMAND THEE SO. — A reference of the entire matter to God, before any final decision was made, is plainly indicated. Moses must have already had some mode of consulting God on any point which required to be settled, and obtaining an answer. Was it by the “Urim a... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES HEARKENED. — The appointment of judges, according to Jethro’s advice, was not made until after the giving of the Law and the setting up of the Tabernacle. (See Deuteronomy 1:9.) In one particular Moses departed from the counsel given to him. Instead of directly choosing the “able men” himself,... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES LET HIS FATHER IN LAW DEPART. — Heb. _Moses dismissed his connection._ The supposed identity of Hobab (Numbers 10:29; Judges 4:11) with Jethro seems precluded by this statement, for Hobab clearly remained with Moses till the close of the stay at Sinai, and Moses, instead of “dismissing” him, w... [ Continue Reading ]