mh_parser/vol_split/2 - Exodus/Chapter 18.xml

<div2 id="Ex.xix" n="xix" next="Ex.xx" prev="Ex.xviii" progress="39.88%" title="Chapter XVIII">
<h2 id="Ex.xix-p0.1">E X O D U S</h2>
<h3 id="Ex.xix-p0.2">CHAP. XVIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Ex.xix-p1">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, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.1-Exod.18.6" parsed="|Exod|18|1|18|6" passage="Ex 18:1-6">ver.
1-6</scripRef>. II. Moses entertains his father-in-law with great
respect (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.7" parsed="|Exod|18|7|0|0" passage="Ex 18:7">ver. 7</scripRef>), with good
discourse (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.8-Exod.18.11" parsed="|Exod|18|8|18|11" passage="Ex 18:8-11">ver. 8-11</scripRef>),
with a sacrifice and a feast, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.12" parsed="|Exod|18|12|0|0" passage="Ex 18:12">ver.
12</scripRef>. III. Jethro advises him about the management of his
business as a judge in Israel, to take inferior judges in to his
assistance (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.13-Exod.18.23" parsed="|Exod|18|13|18|23" passage="Ex 18:13-23">ver. 13-23</scripRef>),
and Moses, after some time, takes his counsel (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.24-Exod.18.26" parsed="|Exod|18|24|18|26" passage="Ex 18:24-26">ver. 24-26</scripRef>), and so they part, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.27" parsed="|Exod|18|27|0|0" passage="Ex 18:27">ver. 27</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Ex.xix-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18" parsed="|Exod|18|0|0|0" passage="Ex 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xix-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.1-Exod.18.6" parsed="|Exod|18|1|18|6" passage="Ex 18:1-6" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.18.1-Exod.18.6">
<h4 id="Ex.xix-p1.10">Jethro's Visit to Moses. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xix-p2">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, <i>and</i> that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p2.1">Lord</span> 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 <i>was</i> Gershom; for he said, I have been an
alien in a strange land:   4 And the name of the other
<i>was</i> Eliezer; for the God of my father, <i>said he, was</i>
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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p3">This incident may very well be allowed to
have happened as it is placed here, before the giving of the law,
and not, as some place it, in connection with what is recorded,
<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Num.10.11 Bible:Num.10.29" parsed="|Num|10|11|0|0;|Num|10|29|0|0" passage="Nu 10:11,29">Num. x. 11, 29</scripRef>, &amp;c.
Sacrifices were offered before; in these mentioned here (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.12" parsed="|Exod|18|12|0|0" passage="Ex 18:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>) it is observable that
<i>Jethro</i> is said to take them, not <i>Aaron.</i> And as to
Jethro's advising Moses to constitute judges under him, though it
is intimate (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.13" parsed="|Exod|18|13|0|0" passage="Ex 18:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>)
that the occasion of his giving that advice was <i>on the
morrow,</i> yet it does not follow but that Moses's settlement of
that affair might be some time after, when the law was given, as it
is placed, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.1.9" parsed="|Deut|1|9|0|0" passage="De 1:9">Deut. i. 9</scripRef>. It is
plain that Jethro himself would not have him make this alteration
in the government till he had received instructions from God about
it (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.23" parsed="|Exod|18|23|0|0" passage="Ex 18:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>), which he
did not till some time after. Jethro comes,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p4">I. To congratulate the happiness of Israel,
and particularly the honour of Moses his son-in-law; and now Jethro
thinks himself well paid for all the kindness he had shown to Moses
in his distress, and his daughter better matched than he could have
expected. Jethro could not but hear what all the country rang of,
the glorious appearances of God for his people Israel (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.1" parsed="|Exod|18|1|0|0" passage="Ex 18:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>); and he comes to enquire,
and inform himself more fully thereof (see <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.111.2" parsed="|Ps|111|2|0|0" passage="Ps 111:2">Ps. cxi. 2</scripRef>), and to rejoice with them as one
that had a true respect both for them and for their God. Though he,
as a Midianite, was not to share with them in the promised land,
yet he shared with them in the joy of their deliverance. We may
thus make the comforts of others our own, by taking pleasure, as
God does, in the <i>prosperity of the righteous.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p5">II. To bring Moses's wife and children to
him. It seems, he had sent them back, probably from the inn where
his wife's aversion to the circumcision of her son had like to have
cost him his life (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.4.25" parsed="|Exod|4|25|0|0" passage="Ex 4:25"><i>ch.</i> iv.
25</scripRef>); fearing lest they should prove a further hindrance,
he sent them home to his father-in-law. He foresaw what
discouragements he was likely to meet with in the court of Pharaoh,
and therefore would not take any with him in his own family. He was
of that tribe that said to his father, <i>I have not known him,</i>
when service was to be done for God, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.9" parsed="|Deut|33|9|0|0" passage="De 33:9">Deut. xxxiii. 9</scripRef>. Thus Christ's disciples, when
they were to go upon an expedition not much unlike that of Moses,
were to forsake <i>wife and children,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.19.29" parsed="|Matt|19|29|0|0" passage="Mt 19:29">Matt. xix. 29</scripRef>. But though there might be
reason for the separation that was between Moses and his wife for a
time, yet they must come together again, as soon as ever they could
with any convenience. It is the law of the relation. <i>You
husbands, dwell with your wives,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.3.7" parsed="|1Pet|3|7|0|0" passage="1Pe 3:7">1
Pet. iii. 7</scripRef>. Jethro, we may suppose, was glad of his
daughter's company, and fond of her children, yet he would not keep
her from her husband, nor them from their father, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.5-Exod.18.6" parsed="|Exod|18|5|18|6" passage="Ex 18:5,6"><i>v.</i> 5, 6</scripRef>. Moses must have his
family with him, that while he ruled the church of God he might set
a good example of prudence in family-government, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.3.5" parsed="|1Tim|3|5|0|0" passage="1Ti 3:5">1 Tim. iii. 5</scripRef>. Moses had now a great deal both
of honour and care put upon him, and it was fit that his wife
should be with him to share with him in both. Notice is taken of
the significant names of his two sons. 1. The eldest was called
<i>Gershom</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.3" parsed="|Exod|18|3|0|0" passage="Ex 18:3"><i>v.</i>
3</scripRef>), <i>a stranger,</i> Moses designing thereby, not only
a memorial of his own condition, but a memorandum to his son of his
condition also: for we are all strangers upon earth, as all our
fathers were. Moses had a great uncle almost of the same name,
<i>Gershon, a stranger;</i> for though he was born in Canaan
(<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.46.11" parsed="|Gen|46|11|0|0" passage="Ge 46:11">Gen. xlvi. 11</scripRef>), yet even
there the patriarchs confessed themselves strangers. 2. The other
he called <i>Eliezer</i> (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.4" parsed="|Exod|18|4|0|0" passage="Ex 18:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>), <i>My God a help,</i> as we translate it; it looks
back to his deliverance from Pharaoh, when he made his escape,
after the slaying of the Egyptian; but, if this was (as some think)
the son that was circumcised at the inn as he was going, I would
rather translate it so as to look forward, which the original will
bear, <i>The Lord is my help, and will deliver me</i> from the
sword of Pharaoh, which he had reason to expect would be drawn
against him when he was going to fetch Israel out of bondage. Note,
When we are undertaking any difficult service for God and our
generation, it is good for us to encourage ourselves in God as our
help: he that has delivered does and will deliver.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xix-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.7-Exod.18.12" parsed="|Exod|18|7|18|12" passage="Ex 18:7-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.18.7-Exod.18.12">
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xix-p6">7 And Moses went out to meet his father in law,
and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of
<i>their</i> welfare; and they came into the tent.   8 And
Moses told his father in law all that the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p6.1">Lord</span> had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians
for Israel's sake, <i>and</i> all the travail that had come upon
them by the way, and <i>how</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p6.2">Lord</span> delivered them.   9 And Jethro
rejoiced for all the goodness which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p6.3">Lord</span> had done to Israel, whom he had delivered
out of the hand of the Egyptians.   10 And Jethro said,
Blessed <i>be</i> the <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p6.4">Lord</span>, 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 <span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p6.5">Lord</span> <i>is</i> greater than all gods: for in the
thing wherein they dealt proudly <i>he was</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p7">Observe here, I. The kind greeting that
took place between Moses and his father-in-law, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.7" parsed="|Exod|18|7|0|0" passage="Ex 18:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. Though Moses was a prophet of the
Lord, a great prophet, and king in Jeshurun, yet he showed a very
humble respect to his father-in-law. However God in his providence
is pleased to advance us, we must make conscience of giving honour
to whom honour is due, and never look with disdain upon our poor
relations. Those that stand high in the favour of God are not
thereby discharged from the duty they owe to men, nor will that
justify them in a stately haughty carriage. Moses went out to meet
Jethro, did <i>homage to him, and kissed him.</i> Religion does not
destroy good manners. <i>They asked each other of their
welfare.</i> Even the kind How-do-you-do's that pass between them
are taken notice of, as the expressions and improvements of mutual
love and friendship.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p8">II. The narrative that Moses gave his
father-in-law of the great things God had done for Israel,
<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.8" parsed="|Exod|18|8|0|0" passage="Ex 18:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. This was one
thing Jethro came for, to know more fully and particularly what he
had heard the general report of. Note, Conversation concerning
<i>God's wondrous works</i> is profitable conversation; it is
<i>good, and to the use of edifying,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.105.2" parsed="|Ps|105|2|0|0" passage="Ps 105:2">Ps. cv. 2</scripRef>. Compare <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.145.11-Ps.145.12" parsed="|Ps|145|11|145|12" passage="Ps 145:11,12">Ps. cxlv. 11, 12</scripRef>. Asking and telling
news, and discoursing of it, are not only an allowable
entertainment of conversation, but are capable of being tuned to a
very good account, by taking notice of God's providence, and the
operations and tendencies of that providence, in all
occurrences.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p9">III. The impressions this narrative made
upon Jethro. 1. He congratulated God's Israel: <i>Jethro
rejoiced,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.9" parsed="|Exod|18|9|0|0" passage="Ex 18:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>.
He not only rejoiced in the honour done to his son-in-law, but in
<i>all the goodness done to Israel,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.9" parsed="|Exod|18|9|0|0" passage="Ex 18:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Note, Public blessings are the
joy of public spirits. While the Israelites were themselves
murmuring, notwithstanding all God's goodness to them, here was a
Midianite rejoicing. This was not the only time that the faith of
the Gentiles shamed the unbelief of the Jews; see <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.8.10" parsed="|Matt|8|10|0|0" passage="Mt 8:10">Matt. viii. 10</scripRef>. Standers-by were more
affected with the favours God had shown to Israel than those were
that received them. 2. He gave the glory to Israel's God (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.10" parsed="|Exod|18|10|0|0" passage="Ex 18:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>): "<i>Blessed be
Jehovah</i>" (for by that name he is now known), "<i>who hath
delivered you,</i> Moses and Aaron, <i>out of the hand of
Pharaoh,</i> so that though he designed your death he could not
effect it, and by your ministry has <i>delivered the people.</i>"
Note, Whatever we have the joy of God must have the praise of. 3.
His faith was hereby confirmed, and he took this occasion to make a
solemn profession of it: <i>Now know I that Jehovah is greater than
all gods,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.11" parsed="|Exod|18|11|0|0" passage="Ex 18:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>.
Observe, (1.) The matter of his faith: that the God of Israel is
greater than all pretenders, all false and counterfeit-deities,
that usurp divine honours; he silences them, subdues them, and is
too hard for them all, and therefore is himself the only <i>living
and true God.</i> He is also higher than all princes and potentates
(who are called gods), and has both an incontestable authority over
them and an irresistible power to control and over-rule them; he
manages them all as he pleases, and gets honour upon them, how
great soever they are. (2.) The confirmation and improvement of his
faith: <i>Now know I;</i> he knew it before, but now he knew it
better; his faith great up to a full assurance, upon this fresh
evidence. Those obstinately shut their eyes against the clearest
light who do not know that <i>the Lord is greater than all
gods.</i> (3.) The ground and reason upon which he built it: <i>For
wherein they dealt proudly,</i> the magicians, and the idols which
the Egyptians worshipped, or Pharaoh and his grandees (they both
opposed God and set up in competition with him), <i>he was above
them.</i> The magicians were baffled, the idols shaken, Pharaoh
humbled, his powers broken, and, in spite of all their
confederacies, God's Israel was rescued out of their hands. Note,
Sooner or later, God will show himself above those that by their
proud dealings contest with him. He that <i>exalts himself</i>
against God <i>shall be abased.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p10">IV. The expressions of their joy and
thankfulness. They had communion with each other both in a feast
and in a sacrifice, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.12" parsed="|Exod|18|12|0|0" passage="Ex 18:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>. Jethro, being hearty in Israel's interests, was
cheerfully admitted though a Midianite, into fellowship with Moses
and the elders of Israel, <i>forasmuch as he also was a son of
Abraham,</i> though of a younger house. 1. They joined in a
sacrifice of thanksgiving: <i>Jethro took burnt offerings for
God,</i> and probably offered them himself, for he was a priest in
Midian, and a worshipper of the true God, and the priesthood was
not yet settled in Israel. Note, Mutual friendship is sanctified by
joint-worship. It is a very good thing for relations and friends,
when they come together, to join in the spiritual sacrifice of
prayer and praise, as those that meet in Christ the centre of
unity. 2. They joined in a feast of rejoicing, a feast upon the
sacrifice. Moses, upon this occasion, invited his relations and
friends to an entertainment in his own tent, a laudable usage among
friends, and which Christ himself, not only warranted, but
recommended, by his acceptance of such invitations. This was a
temperate feast: <i>They did eat bread;</i> this bread, we may
suppose, was manna. Jethro must see and taste that bread from
heaven, and, though a Gentile, is as welcome to it as any
Israelite; the Gentiles still are so to Christ the bread of life.
It was a feast kept after a godly sort: <i>They did eat bread
before God,</i> soberly, thankfully, in the fear of God; and their
table-talk was such as became saints. Thus we must eat and drink to
the glory of God, behaving ourselves at our tables as those who
believe that God's eye is upon us.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Ex.xix-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18" parsed="|Exod|18|0|0|0" passage="Ex 18" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Ex.xix-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.13-Exod.18.27" parsed="|Exod|18|13|18|27" passage="Ex 18:13-27" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Exod.18.13-Exod.18.27">
<h4 id="Ex.xix-p10.4">Jethro's Advice to Moses. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Ex.xix-p10.5">b. c.</span> 1491.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Ex.xix-p11">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 <i>is</i> 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 <i>them</i> know the statutes of God, and his laws.   17
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest
<i>is</i> not good.   18 Thou wilt surely wear away, both
thou, and this people that <i>is</i> with thee: for this thing
<i>is</i> 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 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 covetousness; and place
<i>such</i> over them, <i>to be</i> rulers of thousands, <i>and</i>
rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:  
22 And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be,
<i>that</i> 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 <i>the burden</i> with thee.   23
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee <i>so,</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p12">Here is, I. The great zeal and industry of
Moses as a magistrate.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p13">1. Having been employed to redeem Israel
out of the house of bondage, herein he is a further type of Christ,
that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. (1.) He
was to answer enquiries, to acquaint them with the will of God in
doubtful cases, and to explain the laws of God that were already
given them, concerning the sabbath, the man, &amp;c., beside the
laws of nature, relating both to piety and equity, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.15" parsed="|Exod|18|15|0|0" passage="Ex 18:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>. <i>They came to enquire
of God;</i> and happy it was for them that they had such an oracle
to consult: we are ready to wish, many a time, that we had some
such certain way of knowing God's mind when we are at a loss what
to do. Moses was faithful both to him that appointed him and to
those that consulted him, and made them <i>know the statutes of God
and his laws,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.16" parsed="|Exod|18|16|0|0" passage="Ex 18:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. His business was, not to make laws, but to make
known God's laws; his place was but that of a servant. (2.) He was
to decide controversies, and determine matters in variance, judging
between a man and his fellow, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.16" parsed="|Exod|18|16|0|0" passage="Ex 18:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>. And, if the people were as
quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no doubt he had
a great many causes brought before him, and the more because their
trials put them to no expense, nor was the law costly to them. When
a quarrel happened in Egypt, and Moses would have reconciled the
contenders, they asked, <i>Who made thee a prince and a judge?</i>
But now it was past dispute that God had made him one; and they
humbly attend him whom they had then proudly rejected.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p14">2. Such was the business Moses was called
to, and it appears that he did it, (1.) With great consideration,
which, some think, is intimated in his posture: he <i>sat</i> to
judge (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.13" parsed="|Exod|18|13|0|0" passage="Ex 18:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>),
composed and sedate. (2.) With great condescension to the people,
who stood <i>by him,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.14" parsed="|Exod|18|14|0|0" passage="Ex 18:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. He was very easy of access; the meanest Israelite
was welcome himself to bring his cause before him. (3.) With great
constancy and closeness of application. [1.] Though Jethro, his
father-in-law, was with him, which might have given him a good
pretence for a vacation (he might have adjourned the court for that
day, or at least have shortened it), yet he sat, even the next day
after his coming, <i>from morning till evening.</i> Note, Necessary
business must always take place of ceremonious attentions. It is
too great a compliment to our friends to prefer the enjoyment of
their company before our duty to God, which ought to be done, while
yet the other is not left undone. [2.] Though Moses was advanced to
great honour, yet he did not therefore take his case and throw upon
others the burden of care and business; no, he thought his
preferment, instead of discharging him from service, made it more
obligatory upon him. Those think of themselves above what is meet
who think it below them to do good. It is the honour even of angels
themselves to be serviceable. [3.] Though the people had been
provoking to him, and were ready to stone him (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.17.4" parsed="|Exod|17|4|0|0" passage="Ex 17:4"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 4</scripRef>), yet still he made himself
the servant of all. Note, Though others fail in their duty to us,
yet we must not therefore neglect ours to them. [4.] Though he was
an old man, yet he kept to his business from morning to night, and
made it his meat and drink to do it. God had given him great
strength both of body and mind, which enabled him to go through a
great deal of work with ease and pleasure; and, for the
encouragement of others to spend and be spent in the service of
God, it proved that after all his labours his natural force was not
diminished. Those that wait on the Lord and his service shall renew
their strength.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p15">II. The great prudence and consideration of
Jethro as a friend.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p16">1. He disliked the method that Moses took,
and was so free with him as to tell him so, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.14 Bible:Exod.18.17 Bible:Exod.18.18" parsed="|Exod|18|14|0|0;|Exod|18|17|0|0;|Exod|18|18|0|0" passage="Ex 18:14,17,18"><i>v.</i> 14, 17, 18</scripRef>. He thought it was
too much business for Moses to undertake alone, that it would be a
prejudice to his health and too great a fatigue to him, and also
that it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the
people; and therefore he tells him plainly, <i>It is not good.</i>
Note, There may be over-doing even in well-doing, and therefore our
zeal must always be governed by discretion, that our good may not
be evil spoken of. Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may
neither content ourselves with less than our duty nor over-task
ourselves with that which is beyond our strength.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p17">2. He advised him to such a model of
government as would better answer the intention, which was, (1.)
That he should reserve to himself all applications to God
(<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.19" parsed="|Exod|18|19|0|0" passage="Ex 18:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>): <i>Be thou
for them to God-ward;</i> that was an honour in which it was not
fit any other should share with him, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.12.6-Num.12.8" parsed="|Num|12|6|12|8" passage="Nu 12:6-8">Num. xii. 6-8</scripRef>. Also whatever concerned the
whole congregation in general must pass through his hand, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.20" parsed="|Exod|18|20|0|0" passage="Ex 18:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. But, (2.) That he
should appoint judges in the several tribes and families, who
should try causes between man and man, and determine them, which
would be done with less noise, and more despatch, than in the
general assembly wherein Moses himself presided. Thus they must be
governed as a nation by a king as supreme, and inferior magistrates
sent and commissioned by him, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:1Pet.2.13" parsed="|1Pet|2|13|0|0" passage="1Pe 2:13">1 Pet.
ii. 13, 14</scripRef>. Thus many hands would make light work,
causes would be sooner heard, and the people eased by having
justice thus brought to their tent-doors. Yet, (3.) An appeal might
lie, if there were just cause for it, from these inferior courts to
Moses himself; at least if the judges were themselves at a loss:
<i>Every great matter they shall bring unto thee,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.22" parsed="|Exod|18|22|0|0" passage="Ex 18:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. Thus that great man
would be the more serviceable by being employed only in great
matters. Note, Those whose gifts and stations are most eminent may
yet be greatly furthered in their work by the assistance of those
that are every way their inferiors, whom therefore they should not
despise. The head has need of the hands and feet, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p17.6" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.12.21" parsed="|1Cor|12|21|0|0" passage="1Co 12:21">1 Cor. xii. 21</scripRef>. Great men should not
only study to be useful themselves, but contrive how to make others
useful, according as their capacity is. Such is Jethro's advice, by
which it appears that though Moses excelled him in prophecy he
excelled Moses in politics; yet,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p18">3. He adds two qualifications to his
counsel:—(1.) That great care should be taken in the choice of
the persons who should be admitted into this trust (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.21" parsed="|Exod|18|21|0|0" passage="Ex 18:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>); they must <i>be able
men,</i> &amp;c. It was requisite that they should be men of the
very best character, [1.] For judgment and resolution—<i>able
men,</i> men of good sense, that understood business, and bold men,
that would not be daunted by frowns or clamours. Clear heads and
stout hearts make good judges. [2.] For piety and religion—<i>such
as fear God,</i> as believe there is a God above them, whose eye is
upon them, to whom they are accountable, and of whose judgment they
stand in awe. Conscientious men, that dare not do a base thing,
though they could do it ever so secretly and securely. The fear of
God is that principle which will best fortify a man against all
temptations to injustice, <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Neh.5.15 Bible:Gen.42.18" parsed="|Neh|5|15|0|0;|Gen|42|18|0|0" passage="Ne 5:15,Ge 42:18">Neh.
v. 15; Gen. xlii. 18</scripRef>. [3.] For integrity and
honesty—<i>men of truth,</i> whose word one may take, and whose
fidelity one may rely upon, who would not for a world tell a lie,
betray a trust, or act an insidious part. [4.] For noble and
generous contempt of worldly wealth—<i>hating covetousness,</i>
not only not seeking bribes nor aiming to enrich themselves, but
abhorring the thought of it; he is fit to be a magistrate, and he
alone, who <i>despiseth the gain of oppressions, and shaketh his
hands from the holding of bribes,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.33.15" parsed="|Isa|33|15|0|0" passage="Isa 33:15">Isa. xxxiii. 15</scripRef>. (2.) That he should attend
God's direction in the case (<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.23" parsed="|Exod|18|23|0|0" passage="Ex 18:23"><i>v.</i>
23</scripRef>): <i>If thou shalt do this thing, and God command
thee so.</i> Jethro knew that Moses had a better counsellor than he
was, and to his counsel he refers him. Note, Advice must be given
with a humble submission to the word and providence of God, which
must always overrule.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p19">Now Moses did not despise this advice
because it came from one not acquainted, as he was, with the words
of God and the visions of the Almighty; but he <i>hearkened to the
voice of his father-in-law,</i> <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.24" parsed="|Exod|18|24|0|0" passage="Ex 18:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. When he came to consider the
thing, he saw the reasonableness of what his father-in-law proposed
and resolved to put it in practice, which he did soon afterwards,
when he had received directions from God in the matter. Note, Those
are not so wise as they would be thought to be who think themselves
too wise to be counselled; for <i>a wise man</i> (one who is truly
so) <i>will hear, and will increase learning,</i> and not slight
good counsel, though given by an inferior. Moses did not leave the
election of the magistrates to the people, who had already done
enough to prove themselves unfit for such a trust; but he chose
them, and appointed them, some for greater, others for less
division, the less probably subordinate to the greater. We have
reason to value government as a very great mercy, and to thank God
for laws and magistrates, so that we are not like <i>the fishes of
the sea, where the greater devour the less.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Ex.xix-p20">III. Jethro's return to his own land,
<scripRef id="Ex.xix-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Exod.18.27" parsed="|Exod|18|27|0|0" passage="Ex 18:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. No doubt he
took home with him the improvements he had made in the knowledge of
God, and communicated them to his neighbours for their instruction.
It is supposed that the Kenites (mentioned in <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.15.6" parsed="|1Sam|15|6|0|0" passage="1Sa 15:6">1 Sam. xv. 6</scripRef>) were the posterity of Jethro
(compare <scripRef id="Ex.xix-p20.3" osisRef="Bible:Judg.1.16" parsed="|Judg|1|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 1:16">Judg. i. 16</scripRef>), and
they are there taken under special protection, for the kindness
their ancestor here showed to Israel. The good-will shown to God's
people, even in the smallest instances, shall in no wise lose its
reward, but shall be recompensed, at furthest, in the
resurrection.</p>
</div></div2>