New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Exodus 18
1
Moses' father-in-law Jethro was the priest of Midian. He heard about everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel. He heard how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 2:16
Psalm 105:43
References God
Acts 14:27
Psalm 44:1
Zechariah 8:23
References Lord
Psalm 34:2
Psalm 78:4
Psalm 106:2
Joshua 2:10
Word
Exodus 3:1
2
Moses had sent his wife Zipporah to his father-in-law. So Jethro welcomed her
Reference
References Moses
Exodus 2:21
3
and her two sons. One son was named Gershom. That's because Moses had said, "I'm an outsider in a strange land."
Reference
4
The other was named Eliezer. That's because Moses had said, "My father's God helped me. He saved me from Pharaoh's sword."
Reference
People
5
Moses' father-in-law Jethro came to Moses in the desert. Moses' sons and wife came with Jethro. Moses was camped near the mountain of God.
Reference
6
Jethro had sent a message to him. It said, "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you. I'm bringing your wife and her two sons."
7
So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. Moses bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other. Then they went into the tent.
Reference
8
Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians because of how much he loved Israel. He told him about all of their hard times along the way. He told him about how the Lord had saved them.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 81:7
Psalm 106:10
Nehemiah 9:32
References Lord
Psalm 107:2
References Moses
Numbers 20:14
9
Jethro was delighted to hear about all of the good things the Lord had done for Israel. He heard about how God had saved them from the power of Egypt.
Reference
10
He said, "I praise the Lord. He saved you and your people from the power of Pharaoh and Egypt.
Reference
11
Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods. See what he did to those who looked down on Israel."
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 1:51
Daniel 4:37
Psalm 119:21
Nehemiah 9:10
References God
Psalm 95:3
Exodus 15:11
2 Chronicles 2:5
Psalm 135:5
Psalm 97:9
1 Chronicles 16:25
12
Then Moses' father-in-law Jethro brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God. Aaron came with all of the elders of Israel. They ate with Moses' father-in-law in the sight of God.
Reference
13
The next day Moses took his seat to serve the people as their judge. They stood around him from morning until evening.
14
His father-in-law saw everything Moses was doing for the people. So he said, "Aren't you trying to do too much for the people? You are the only judge. And all of these people are standing around you from morning until evening."
15
Moses answered him. He said, "The people come to me to find out what God wants them to do.
Reference
16
Anytime they don't agree, they come to me. I decide between them. I tell them about God's rules and laws."
Reference
Judgment
Deuteronomy 5:1
Deuteronomy 4:5
Parallel theme
Exodus 24:14
2 Samuel 15:3
Word
1 Corinthians 6:1
17
Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing isn't good.
18
You will just get worn out. And so will these people who come to you. There's too much work for you. You can't possibly handle it by yourself.
19
"Listen to me. I'll give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must speak to God for the people. Take their problems to him.
Reference
Parallel theme
Numbers 27:5
Genesis 39:2
Deuteronomy 5:5
Proverbs 9:9
Exodus 18:24
Exodus 4:12
References God
Exodus 20:19
Exodus 3:12
Exodus 4:16
Exodus 18:15
20
Teach them the rules and laws. Show them how to live and what to do.
Reference
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 5:1
Psalm 143:8
Deuteronomy 1:18
Psalm 32:8
Deuteronomy 4:1
Deuteronomy 4:5
Word
Exodus 18:16
Micah 4:2
21
"But choose men of ability from all of the people. They must have respect for God. You must be able to trust them. They must not try to get money by cheating others. Appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Reference
22
Let them serve the people as judges. But have them bring every hard case to you. They can decide the easy ones themselves. That will make your load lighter. They will share it with you.
Reference
Judgment
Exodus 18:26
Parallel theme
Numbers 11:17
Leviticus 24:11
Numbers 15:33
Numbers 36:1
Numbers 27:2
23
"If this is what God wants and if you do it, then you will be able to carry the load. And all of these people will go home satisfied."
Reference
Parallel theme
Exodus 18:18
24
Moses listened to his father-in-law. He did everything Jethro said.
25
He chose men of ability from the whole community of Israel. He made them leaders of the people. They became officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Reference
26
They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses. But they decided the easy ones themselves.
Reference
Judgment
Exodus 18:22
27
Moses sent his father-in-law on his way. So Jethro returned to his own country.
Reference
Word
Judges 19:9
Summary of Exodus 18
Exodus chapter 18 depicts the visit of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, and his counsel to Moses regarding the responsibilities of leadership. The chapter reveals that Moses has been shouldering a great responsibility and that sound leadership requires the counsel of God and the support of other trustworthy leaders.
Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses’ father-in-law, hears about all the wonderful things that God has done for Moses and the people of Israel. He learns about the wonders that the LORD has performed in Egypt and how He delivered Israel from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters. Thus, Jethro decides to visit Moses and brings with him Moses’ wife Zipporah and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, who had stayed with him in Midian.
Moses goes out to meet his father-in-law and greets him warmly. He bows before him and welcomes him into his tent where Moses informs Jethro of all the wonderful things that the LORD has done to Pharaoh and the nation of Israel. Moses tells Jethro that the LORD rescued them from Egypt and rescued them from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters.
Jethro is glad to hear of the great things that the LORD has done and praises the LORD. He understands that the God of Israel is greater than all the gods of Egypt because of the wonderful things that He has done. Jethro realizes that the God of Israel is greater than all the gods of Egypt because of how He rescued Israel from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters.
Jethro offers sacrifices to God, and Aaron and the elders of Israel dine with him before the LORD. It becomes a time of joy and celebration for them.
The following day, Jethro observes Moses as he sits in judgment over the people from morning till evening. Moses is constantly busy answering questions and settling disputes. He explains to the people the judgments of God and helps them solve their disagreements.
Jethro expresses concern over Moses’ arduous task, asking him why he sits in judgment over the people with everyone coming to you for answers. Moses explains to him that the people seek counsel from him so that he can tell them what God has said to them and help them settle their disputes.
Jethro advises Moses that the people need him to lead them, and he must select capable men who can help him to carry this great responsibility. He tells Moses to entrust these men with the responsibility of judging the people according to God’s law and helping them to solve their disagreements. Moses should choose men who fear God and are honest and who do not take bribes from the people.
These men can settle minor disputes, but the more challenging cases should be brought to Moses for his judgment. This will lighten Moses’ load as the people will come to the appointed leaders with any disputes.
Moses takes his father-in-law’s advice and selects capable men who fear God and are honest and who do not take bribes from the people. They help Moses to settle the more minor disputes while Moses deals with the more serious cases.
When Jethro sees the good advice that Moses has accepted, he returns to his land. His counsel has helped Moses to lighten his load and has also encouraged him in his leadership.
The key lesson that we learn from Exodus chapter 18 is that good leadership requires good counsel and the help of others who are capable, trustworthy, and honest. Moses has been given great responsibility by God, but that does not mean that he has to carry it alone. We are also taught that good leadership requires us to be humble and to accept good counsel from others.
Jethro realizes that Moses has a great responsibility but that he is trying to carry it alone. His advice is not meant to contradict God’s will or Moses’ leadership but to help Moses carry out his duty faithfully.
The chapter also reminds us that good leadership requires us to select capable leaders who fear God, are honest, and who do not take bribes from the people. We are also taught that godly leadership enables us to train others in godly living and to entrust people with responsibilities that they are capable of carrying out.
Jethro is also a reminder that good leadership requires us to be genuinely happy for good things that happen to others. When Moses tells Jethro what God has done for Israel, Jethro praises the LORD. He is genuinely happy for the wonderful things that God has done.
Moses is also a reminder that good leadership requires humility. Despite being God’s chosen leader, Moses accepts good counsel from his father-in-law. He is not arrogant or boastful but is humble enough to accept good counsel.
The chapter reveals that good leadership means that we need to train others to help us rule and to take on some of the burdens that we cannot bear alone. Good leadership also requires us to teach people God’s law rather than doing everything for them.
The appointment of leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens also helps to prepare the people of Israel to become a nation of their own. They will need to live together, and thus it is important that systems of organization such as courts to settle disputes are in place.
Godly leadership therefore means that we must have strong spiritual responsibility as well as practical organization.
Godly leaders must be willing to accept good counsel.
No leader should attempt to take upon himself or herself all responsibility.
Good organization can lighten the burden of leadership.
People who are given responsibility must be God-fearing, honest, and trustworthy.
Leaders should train people in God’s word and not expect to solve all disputes ourselves.
Good leadership benefits both the leader and the people being led.
Humility enables us to accept the good counsel of others.
God can use the good counsel of others to strengthen our leadership.
Good organization can enable us to serve a large group of people in peace and harmony.
Exodus chapter 18 reveals that Moses’ leadership is gradually evolving from simply rescuing Israel from Egypt to building Israel into a nation of their own with systems of organization that will help them to live in peace, harmony, and according to God’s law.
Jethro, the priest of Midian, and Moses’ father-in-law, hears about all the wonderful things that God has done for Moses and the people of Israel. He learns about the wonders that the LORD has performed in Egypt and how He delivered Israel from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters. Thus, Jethro decides to visit Moses and brings with him Moses’ wife Zipporah and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer, who had stayed with him in Midian.
Moses goes out to meet his father-in-law and greets him warmly. He bows before him and welcomes him into his tent where Moses informs Jethro of all the wonderful things that the LORD has done to Pharaoh and the nation of Israel. Moses tells Jethro that the LORD rescued them from Egypt and rescued them from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters.
Jethro is glad to hear of the great things that the LORD has done and praises the LORD. He understands that the God of Israel is greater than all the gods of Egypt because of the wonderful things that He has done. Jethro realizes that the God of Israel is greater than all the gods of Egypt because of how He rescued Israel from the hands of Pharaoh and the taskmasters.
Jethro offers sacrifices to God, and Aaron and the elders of Israel dine with him before the LORD. It becomes a time of joy and celebration for them.
The following day, Jethro observes Moses as he sits in judgment over the people from morning till evening. Moses is constantly busy answering questions and settling disputes. He explains to the people the judgments of God and helps them solve their disagreements.
Jethro expresses concern over Moses’ arduous task, asking him why he sits in judgment over the people with everyone coming to you for answers. Moses explains to him that the people seek counsel from him so that he can tell them what God has said to them and help them settle their disputes.
Jethro advises Moses that the people need him to lead them, and he must select capable men who can help him to carry this great responsibility. He tells Moses to entrust these men with the responsibility of judging the people according to God’s law and helping them to solve their disagreements. Moses should choose men who fear God and are honest and who do not take bribes from the people.
These men can settle minor disputes, but the more challenging cases should be brought to Moses for his judgment. This will lighten Moses’ load as the people will come to the appointed leaders with any disputes.
Moses takes his father-in-law’s advice and selects capable men who fear God and are honest and who do not take bribes from the people. They help Moses to settle the more minor disputes while Moses deals with the more serious cases.
When Jethro sees the good advice that Moses has accepted, he returns to his land. His counsel has helped Moses to lighten his load and has also encouraged him in his leadership.
The key lesson that we learn from Exodus chapter 18 is that good leadership requires good counsel and the help of others who are capable, trustworthy, and honest. Moses has been given great responsibility by God, but that does not mean that he has to carry it alone. We are also taught that good leadership requires us to be humble and to accept good counsel from others.
Jethro realizes that Moses has a great responsibility but that he is trying to carry it alone. His advice is not meant to contradict God’s will or Moses’ leadership but to help Moses carry out his duty faithfully.
The chapter also reminds us that good leadership requires us to select capable leaders who fear God, are honest, and who do not take bribes from the people. We are also taught that godly leadership enables us to train others in godly living and to entrust people with responsibilities that they are capable of carrying out.
Jethro is also a reminder that good leadership requires us to be genuinely happy for good things that happen to others. When Moses tells Jethro what God has done for Israel, Jethro praises the LORD. He is genuinely happy for the wonderful things that God has done.
Moses is also a reminder that good leadership requires humility. Despite being God’s chosen leader, Moses accepts good counsel from his father-in-law. He is not arrogant or boastful but is humble enough to accept good counsel.
The chapter reveals that good leadership means that we need to train others to help us rule and to take on some of the burdens that we cannot bear alone. Good leadership also requires us to teach people God’s law rather than doing everything for them.
The appointment of leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens also helps to prepare the people of Israel to become a nation of their own. They will need to live together, and thus it is important that systems of organization such as courts to settle disputes are in place.
Godly leadership therefore means that we must have strong spiritual responsibility as well as practical organization.
Godly leaders must be willing to accept good counsel.
No leader should attempt to take upon himself or herself all responsibility.
Good organization can lighten the burden of leadership.
People who are given responsibility must be God-fearing, honest, and trustworthy.
Leaders should train people in God’s word and not expect to solve all disputes ourselves.
Good leadership benefits both the leader and the people being led.
Humility enables us to accept the good counsel of others.
God can use the good counsel of others to strengthen our leadership.
Good organization can enable us to serve a large group of people in peace and harmony.
Exodus chapter 18 reveals that Moses’ leadership is gradually evolving from simply rescuing Israel from Egypt to building Israel into a nation of their own with systems of organization that will help them to live in peace, harmony, and according to God’s law.