Jethro to congratulate the happiness of Israel, and particularly the honour of Moses his son — in — law; comes to rejoice with them, as one that had a true respect both for them and for their God. And also to bring Moses's wife and children to him. It seems he had sent them back, probably from the i... [ Continue Reading ]
The name of one was Gershom — A stranger, designing thereby not only a memorial of his own condition, but a memorandum to this son of his, for we are all strangers upon earth.... [ Continue Reading ]
The name of the other was Eliezer — My God a help: it looks back to his deliverance from Pharaoh, when he made his escape after the slaying of the Egyptian; but if this were the son that was circumcised in the inn, I would rather translate it, The Lord is mine help, and will deliver me from the swor... [ Continue Reading ]
Now know I that JEHOVAH is greater than all gods — That the God of Israel is greater than all pretenders; all deities, that usurp divine honours: he silenceth them, subdues them all, and is himself the only living and true God. He is also higher than all princes and potentates, who also are called g... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jethro took a burnt offering for God — And probably offered it himself, for he was a priest in Midian, and a worshipper of the true God, and the priesthood was not yet settled in Israel. And they did eat bread before God — Soberly, thankfully, in the fear of God; and their talk such as became sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses sat to judge the people — 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
The people came to enquire of God — And happy was it for them that they had such an oracle to consult. Moses was faithful both to him that appointed him, and to them that consulted him, and made them know the statutes of God, and his laws — His business was not to make laws, but to make known God's... [ Continue Reading ]
I judge between one and another — And if the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, he had many causes brought before him, and the more because their trials put them to no expence.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not good — Not convenient either for thee or them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Be thou for them to God — ward — That was an honour which it was not fit any other should share with him in. Also whatever concerned the whole congregation must pass through his hand, Exodus 18:20. But, he appointed judges in the several tribes and families, which should try causes between man and m... [ Continue Reading ]
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 them... [ Continue Reading ]
He went into his own land — It is supposed the Kenites mentioned 1 Samuel 15:6, were the posterity of Jethro, (compare Judges 1:16,) and they are taken under special protection, for the kindness their ancestor shewed to Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]