_A.M. 2513. B.C. 1491._ This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. (1,) _ Jethro his father-in-law brings him his wife and children, Exodus 18:1._ (2,) _ Moses entertains his father-in-law with great respect, Exodus 18:7, with good discourse, Exodus 18:8, with a... [ Continue Reading ]
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 in... [ Continue Reading ]
_The name of one was Gershom_ A _stranger_, designing thereby not only a memorial of his own condition, but a memorandum to his 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, it would be better to translate it, _The Lord is my help, and will deliver me_ from... [ 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 silences and subdues them all, and is himself the only _living and true God._ He is also higher than all _princes_ and _potentates_, who also are ca... [ 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 was such as _beca... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moses sat to judge the people_ To answer inquiries; 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 inquire 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_... [ Continue Reading ]
_I judge between one 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 expense. _Not good_ Not convenient either for thee or them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be thou for them to God-ward_ That was an honour in which it was not fit any other should share with him. 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 man,... [ 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 themsel... [ 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 were taken under special protection, for the kindness their ancestor showed to Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]