XVIII.
THE VISIT OF JETHRO.
(1) JETHRO, THE PRIEST OF MIDIAN, MOSES’ FATHER IN LAW. — On
Jethro’s probable relationship to Moses, see the second Note on
Exodus 3:1. On the priesthood of Reuel, which Jethro seems to have
inherited, see Note on Exodus 2:16. It has been very unnecessarily
supposed tha... [ Continue Reading ]
(2)AFTER HE HAD SENT HER BACK. — Heb., _after her dismissal._ The
fact had not been previously stated, but is in harmony with the
general narrative, which has been absolutely silent concerning
Zipporah since Exodus 4:26. Moses had sent Zipporah back to her own
relations, either in anger, on account... [ Continue Reading ]
(3)GERSHOM. — See Note on Exodus 2:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIEZER. — Eliezer is supposed to have been the boy whom Zipporah
circumcised in the wilderness (Exodus 4:25). He grew to manhood, and
had a son, Rehabiah (1 Chronicles 23:17), whose descendants were in
the time of David very numerous (1 Chronicles 23:17; and comp. 1
Chronicles 26:25). It is uncerta... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE HE ENCAMPED AT THE MOUNT OF GOD. — It is quite possible that
“the mount of God” may be here used, in a broad sense, of the
entire Sinaitic mountain-region, as “wilderness” is just before
used in the broad sense of the infertile region between Egypt and
Palestine. Or the movement described in E... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES WENT OUT... AND DID OBEISANCE. — Oriental etiquette required
the going forth to meet an honoured guest (Genesis 18:2; Genesis 19:1,
&c). The obeisance was wholly voluntary, and marks the humility of
Moses, who, now that he was the prince of his nation, might well have
required Jethro to bow do... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES TOLD... ALL. — Jethro had only heard previously a very
imperfect account of the transactions. (See Note 2 on Exodus 18:1.)
Moses now told him all the particulars.... [ Continue Reading ]
JETHRO SAID, BLESSED BE THE LORD. — Heb., _Jehovah._ The Midianites,
descendants of Abraham by Keturah, acknowledged the true God, and the
Israelites could rightfully join with them in acts of worship. But it
is scarcely likely that they knew God among themselves as
“Jehovah.” Jethro, however, under... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IN THE THING... — Heb., _even in the matter in which they dealt
proudly against them._ Jehovah’s superior power had been shown
especially in the matter in which the Egyptians had dealt most proudly
— viz., in pursuing the Israelites with an army when they had given
them leave to depart, and atte... [ Continue Reading ]
JETHRO... TOOK A BURNT OFFERING AND SACRIFICES FOR GOD. — Jethro had
brought sacrifices with him, and now offered them in token of his
thankfulness for God’s mercies towards himself and towards his
kinsman. He occupied a position similar to that of Melchizedek
(Genesis 14:18), holding a priesthood o... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE MORROW. — The day following Jethro’s arrival.
MOSES SAT TO JUDGE THE PEOPLE. — The office of prince, or ruler, was
in early times regarded as including within it that of judge. Rulers
in these ages were sometimes even called “judges,” as were those
of Israel from Joshua to Samuel, and those o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY SITTEST THOU THYSELF ALONE? — The emphatic word is “alone.”
Why dost thou not, Jethro means, devolve a part of the duty upon
others?... [ Continue Reading ]
Moses assigns two reasons for his conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THING THAT THOU DOEST IS NOT GOOD. — Weighty as the arguments
were, they failed to convince Jethro. He brought forward
counter-arguments. By continuing to act as hitherto, Moses would, in
the first place, exhaust his own strength, and, secondly exhaust the
patience of the people. His practice wa... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD SHALL BE WITH THEE. — Rather, _may Go be with thee._ May He give
thee wisdom to direct the course aright.
BE THOU FOR THE PEOPLE TO GOD-WARD. — Be the person, _i.e.,_ to
bring before God whatever needs to be brought before Him. Continue
both to act as representative of the people towards God, a... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVIDE OUT OF ALL THE PEOPLE ABLE MEN. — This was the gist of
Jethro’s advice. It seems somewhat surprising that it should have
been needed. In Egypt, as in all other settled governments, while the
king was the fountain of justice, it was customary for him to delegate
the duty of hearing causes to... [ Continue Reading ]
AT ALL SEASONS. — Not on occasional court days, as had been the
custom of Moses, but day by day continually.
EVERY GREAT MATTER THEY SHALL BRING UNTO THEE. — It must have been
left to the judges themselves to decide what were “great” and what
were “small matters.” Under ordinary circumstances, cour... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU SHALT DO THIS THING, AND GOD COMMAND THEE SO. — A reference
of the entire matter to God, before any final decision was made, is
plainly indicated. Moses must have already had some mode of consulting
God on any point which required to be settled, and obtaining an
answer. Was it by the “Urim a... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES HEARKENED. — The appointment of judges, according to
Jethro’s advice, was not made until after the giving of the Law and
the setting up of the Tabernacle. (See Deuteronomy 1:9.) In one
particular Moses departed from the counsel given to him. Instead of
directly choosing the “able men” himself,... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES LET HIS FATHER IN LAW DEPART. — Heb. _Moses dismissed his
connection._ The supposed identity of Hobab (Numbers 10:29; Judges
4:11) with Jethro seems precluded by this statement, for Hobab clearly
remained with Moses till the close of the stay at Sinai, and Moses,
instead of “dismissing” him, w... [ Continue Reading ]