Exodus 18

         The Israelites continue their journey, departing Rephidim in the third month of their exodus from Egypt and setting up camp in the wilderness of Sinai, at the base of the mount of God. (Exodus 19:1-2) This is the same location where Aaron was first reunited with Moses in Exodus 4:27, and where God told Moses he was to bring the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 3:12) The events described here in chapter 18 actually take place shortly after the Israelites’ arrival at Sinai. The most likely reason for relating them here rather than the next chapter is because the narrative shifts in chapter 19 from the Israelites’ exodus out of Egypt to the giving of the law from God to His chosen people. (Exodus 19-24)
          Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 2:16, 3:1), the high priest of Midian, has heard all that God has done for the children of Israel (Psalm 106:2, 8), and he now meets with Moses at Mount Sinai, bringing with him Zipporah and their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. (v.2-4) (Exodus 4:20, Acts 7:29) The name Gershom means “stranger in a strange land” (v.3) and Eliezer means “God is my help”. (v.4) (Genesis 49:25) We can infer from these verses that Moses had left his family with Jethro in Midian after the incident regarding the circumcision of one of his sons. (Exodus 4:24-26)
 
         Verses 6-12: Moses’ reunion with his family and his father-in-law is a sweet and blessed one. Moses tells Jethro all that God has done for the children of Israel, starting with their deliverance from bondage in Egypt. (v.8) (Exodus 15: 6, 16, Psalm 81:7) Jethro rejoices at the testimony of God’s goodness and providence, giving a testimony of his own faith in the one, true God. (v.10-11) (Isaiah 63:7) He then performs a burnt offering and sacrifices for God in the presence of Moses, Aaron, and all the elders of Israel. (v.13) (Genesis 14:18, Job 1:5)
 
       Verses 13-27: The next day, as Jethro observes Moses performing his daily duty as a judge for all of Israel, he takes note of how the great responsibility – which occupies his son-in-law from sunrise to sunset – wearies Moses. (v.14) Jethro asks Moses why he performs this duty alone, and Moses responds that the people come to him to settle disputes as well as enquire of God. (v.15-16) Moses further explains that “I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” This is another indication that the events of this chapter very likely take place sometime after God gave the law to Moses (Exodus 19), but probably before the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32).
      “Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel…” Jethro says to Moses in verse 19. He then advises Moses to assume only the role of spiritual leader for the children of Israel. Moses should limit himself to just enquiring of God on behalf of the people as well as teaching the Israelites the ordinances and laws of God. (v.19-20) As for all the other legal matters and disputes that needed to be settled among the people on a daily basis, Moses should select “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness…” to serve as judges. (v.21) Enough men should be selected so as to equally divide the workload among all the Israelites. Only the matters that were too great for the judges to handle would then be brought to Moses to resolve. (v.22) Jethro gives this advice with God’s blessing (v.23), and Moses wisely heeds it. (v.24) Jethro then returns to Midian. (v.27)
 
         Moses displayed two of the greatest qualities of a true leader and man of God: humility and teachability. He did not allow his pride or his ego to get in the way of wise counsel from an elder, and he demonstrated a teachable attitude here in that he was willing to accept rebuke and correction from another man of God. The man that we see in this chapter is not the same man that we first encountered in Exodus 2. Moses has come a long way in just a few months, another indicator of God’s power and ability to change the heart and character of those who willingly surrender to his sovereignty and authority.