So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
24 26. Moses listened to Jethro’s counsel, and appointed the assistant judges accordingly.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hearkened – Nothing can be more characteristic of Moses, who combines on all occasions distrust of himself and singular openness to impressions, with the wisdom and sound judgment which chooses the best course when pointed out.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
This is one evidence of that meekness for which Moses is justly magnified, that he disdained not to receive advice from one so much his inferior in wisdom, and learning, and knowledge of the things of God. And God would have this wise counsel to come from Jethro, not from Moses himself, to show how variously he distributes his gifts, and to teach all men not to think too highly of themselves, nor to despise the counsels even of their inferiors.
Moses did all that he had said, not immediately, but after he had received Gods approbation, Num 11:16, and the peoples consent, Deu 1:14.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13-26. on the morrow . . . Moses satto judge the people, c.We are here presented with a specimenof his daily morning occupations and among the multifarious dutieshis divine legation imposed, it must be considered only a smallportion of his official employments. He appears in this attitude as atype of Christ in His legislative and judicial characters.
the people stood by Mosesfrom the morning unto the evening, &c.Governors in theEast seat themselves at the most public gate of their palace or thecity, and there, amid a crowd of applicants, hear causes, receivepetitions, redress grievances, and adjust the claims of contendingparties.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law,…. Considered what he said, weighed it well in his mind, and judged it good advice, and determined to follow it:
and did all that he had said; by choosing such men as he directed to, and committing the judgment of the people to them, as follows:
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Moses followed this sage advice, and, as he himself explains in Deu 1:12-18, directed the people to nominate wise, intelligent, and well-known men from the heads of the tribes, whom he appointed as judges, instructing them to administer justice with impartiality and without respect of persons.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Verses 24-26:
Moses did as his father-in-law suggested. There is no hint that he sought the mind of God in this matter. While it may have appeared this was a practical solution to a knotty problem, this solution was based upon human wisdom, not upon Divine direction. Instead of its being a solution, it created more problems.
Jehovah had commissioned Moses to lead and judge the people.
The first two parts of Jethro’s’ plan recognized this, and caused no problem. The third part of the plan was the addition to God’s provision. Implementation of this provision brought a division of authority, and caused problems later (Mt 6:24). This could have contributed to the rebellion of Miriam and Aaron (Nu 12:1-13), and to that of Korah (Nu 16:1-35).
The judicial system of Israel grew from this arrangement, in later years, resulting in the formation of the Sanhedrin Court. It was this court that pronounced the death sentence upon Jesus, and was later responsible for the death of Stephen.
This is a reminder that men always get into trouble when they did add to the plan and provision of God.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
24. So Moses hearkened. Here is a. remarkable instance of modesty, that Moses is not indisposed to submit himself to the counsel of his father-in-law. For although Jethro was his superior in age and in degree of affinity, in other respects he was far inferior to him. This yielding, then, of Moses to his authority, lays down a rule for all the greatest and most excellent Doctors, that they should not refuse lo receive the admonitions of those whom they admit to teach rightly, although they are not of such high dignity. For Cyprian (202) truly declares that none is a good doctor who is not also docile. It is probable that the old man immediately returned home, not in contempt, or from his dislike to labor or fatigue, but (203) on account of his age; but we shall hereafter see in its proper place that his son remained in the camp.
(202) “Et ideo vir sanctus Cyprianus, ( Ep. 74:12, ad Pompeium,) non solum doctus, sed etiam docibilis, quod in laude episcopi quem designat Apostolus sic intellexit ipse ut diceret: ‘etiam hoc in episcopo diligendum, ut non solum scienter doceat, sed etiam patienter discat.’” — Aug. contra Donat, lib. 4:7, vol. 9:125.
(203) “Mais il est vray-semblable, que Moyse l’a volontiers excuse pour sa vieillesse;” but it is probable that Moses voluntarily excused him on account of his old age. — Fr.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(24, 25) Moses hearkened.The appointment of judges, according to Jethros advice, was not made until after the giving of the Law and the setting up of the Tabernacle. (See Deu. 1:9-15.) In one particular Moses departed from the counsel given to him. Instead of directly choosing the able men himself, he left the selection to the people (Deu. 1:13). And contented himself with investing the men chosen with their authority. Comp. the course taken by the apostolic college with respect to the first deacons (Act. 6:3-6).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
24. Moses hearkened He was meek, deferential, and prompt to profit by the counsel of the venerable priest .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Act 14:23 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Exo 18:24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
Ver. 24. So Moses hearkened. ] Of a meek man it is said that a child shall lead him: Isa 11:6 how much more so grave a counsellor as Jethro! Augustus, , was overjoyed with the plain dealings of his friends and counsellors; as of Mecaenas. a
a Dio, in Augusto.
Exo 18:2-5, Exo 18:19, Ezr 10:2, Ezr 10:5, Pro 1:5, 1Co 12:21
Exo 18:24. So Moses hearkened unto the voice of his father-in-law When he came to consider the thing, he saw the reasonableness of it, and resolved to put it in practice, which he did soon after, when he had received directions from God. Those are not so wise as they would be thought to be, who think themselves too wise to be counselled; for a wise man will hear and will increase learning, and not slight good counsel, though given by an inferior.
18:24 So Moses {k} hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.
(k) Godly counsel should always be obeyed, even if it comes from our inferiors, for to such God often gives wisdom to humble those that are exalted, and to declare that one member has need of another.
Moses allowed the people to nominate wise, respected men from their tribes whom he appointed as judges (Exo 18:25; cf. Deu 1:12-18). These men handled the routine disputes of the Israelites, and this kept Moses free to resolve the major problems.
Jethro returned to his native land (Exo 18:27), but he visited Moses and his daughter and grandchildren again (cf. Num 10:29), perhaps often during the following 40 years.
"In times of great crises God always provided men to lead the way to deliverance. Moses is an eloquent example of this very fact. The hand of God providentially prepared this man for this very moment. He was cognizant of Egyptian manners and was therefore able to articulate demands before the King of Egypt. Moses had been trained in military matters and was therefore capable of organizing this large mass of people for movement across the deserts. His training in Egypt had given him the ability to write and therefore provided a means by which these accounts would be recorded for eternity. Forty years of desert experience had given Moses the know-how of travel in these areas as well as the kind of preparation that would be needed to survive the desert heat. All of this a mere accident of history? No indeed. The history before us is a supreme example of God’s sovereign ability to accomplish His purposes for His people. Those who belong to Him have every reason to be confident that that which God has promised He will perform." [Note: Davis, pp. 189-90.]
"The present narrative has many parallels with the accounts in Genesis 14, 15. Just as Melchizedek the priest of Salem (salem) met Abraham bearing gifts as he returned from the battle with Amraphel (Gen 14:18-20), so Jethro the Midianite priest came out with Moses’ wife and sons to offer peace (salom, Exo 18:7; NIV ’they greeted each other’) as he returned from the battle with the Amalekites. . . . The purpose of these parallels appears to be to cast Jethro as another Melchizedek, the paradigm of the righteous Gentile. It is important that Jethro have such credentials because he plays a major role in this chapter, instructing Moses, the lawgiver himself, how to carry out the administration of God’s Law to Israel. Thus, just as Abraham was met by Melchizedek the priest (Genesis 14) before God made a covenant with him in Genesis 15, so Moses is met by Jethro the priest (Exodus 18) before God makes a covenant with him at Sinai (Exodus 19)." [Note: Sailhamer, The Pentateuch . . ., pp. 280-81.]
Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24)
Jethro (Exodus 18:1-27)
He was a Gen 14:18 riest of Salem (Gen 14:18).
He was a Gentile priest of Midian (Exo 18:1).
He met Abraham bearing gifts as Abraham returned from defeating the Mesopota-mians (Gen 14:18).
He met Moses as Moses returned from defeating the Amalekites (Exo 18:5).
He brought gifts to Abraham (Gen 14:18).
He brought Moses’ wife and sons to Moses (Exo 18:2-6).
He was king of peace (Heb. salem, Gen 14:18).
He offered Moses peace (Heb. salom, Exo 18:7).
Abraham’s heir was Eliezer ("God is my help," Gen 15:2).
Moses’ heir was Eliezer ("God is my help," Exo 18:4).
Melchizedek praised God for rescuing Abraham from the Amalekites (Gen 14:19-20).
Jethro praised God for rescuing Moses from the Egyptians (Exo 18:10-11).
He offered bread and wine (Gen 14:18).
He offered sacrifices and ate bread with Moses (Exo 18:12).
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)