Exodus 18:12 - Prayer Tents

Jethro’s Visit to Moses

18Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about everything God had done for Moses and his people, the Israelites. He heard especially about how the LORD had rescued them from Egypt.H3503H3548H4080H4872H2859H8085H430H6213H4872H3478H5971H3068H3318H3478H47142Earlier, Moses had sent his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons back to Jethro, who had taken them in.H3503H4872H2859H3947H6855H4872H802H310H79643(Moses' first son was named Gershom

, for Moses had said when the boy was born, "I have been a foreigner in a foreign land."H8147H1121H8034H259H1647H559H1616H5237H7764His second son was named Eliezer

, for Moses had said, "The God of my ancestors was my helper; he rescued me from the sword of Pharaoh.")H8034H259H461H430H1H5828H5337H2719H65475Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, now came to visit Moses in the wilderness. He brought Moses' wife and two sons with him, and they arrived while Moses and the people were camped near the mountain of God.H3503H4872H2859H935H1121H802H4872H4057H2583H2022H4306Jethro had sent a message to Moses, saying, "I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to see you with your wife and your two sons."H559H4872H2859H3503H935H802H8147H11217So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law. He bowed low and kissed him. They asked about each other's welfare and then went into Moses' tent.H4872H3318H7125H2859H7812H5401H7592H376H7453H7965H935H1688Moses told his father-in-law everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and Egypt on behalf of Israel. He also told about all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the LORD had rescued his people from all their troubles.H4872H5608H2859H3068H6213H6547H4714H3478H182H8513H4672H1870H3068H53379Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.H3503H2302H2896H3068H6213H3478H5337H3027H471410"Praise the LORD," Jethro said, "for he has rescued you from the Egyptians and from Pharaoh. Yes, he has rescued Israel from the powerful hand of Egypt!H3503H559H1288H3068H5337H3027H4714H3027H6547H5337H5971H3027H471411I know now that the LORD is greater than all other gods, because he rescued his people from the oppression of the proud Egyptians."H3045H3068H1419H430H1697H210212Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and joined him in a sacrificial meal in God's presence.H3503H4872H2859H3947H5930H2077H430H175H935H2205H3478H398H3899H4872H2859H6440H430

Jethro’s Wise Advice

13The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people's disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.H4283H4872H3427H8199H5971H5971H5975H4872H1242H615314When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, "What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?"H4872H2859H7200H6213H5971H559H1697H6213H5971H3427H5971H5324H1242H615315Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.H4872H559H2859H5971H935H1875H43016When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions."H1697H935H8199H376H7453H3045H2706H430H845117"This is not good!" Moses' father-in-law exclaimed.H4872H2859H559H1697H6213H289618"You're going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.H5034H5034H5971H1697H3515H3201H621319Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.H8085H6963H3289H430H1961H5971H4136H430H935H1697H43020Teach them God's decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.H2094H853H2706H8451H3045H1870H3212H4639H621321But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.H2372H5971H2428H582H3373H430H582H571H8130H1215H7760H8269H505H8269H3967H8269H2572H8269H623522They should always be available to solve the people's common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.H8199H5971H6256H1419H1697H935H6996H1697H8199H7043H537523If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."H6213H1697H430H6680H3201H5975H5971H935H4725H796524Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.H4872H8085H6963H2859H6213H55925He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.H4872H977H2428H582H3478H5414H7218H5971H8269H505H8269H3967H8269H2572H8269H623526These men were always available to solve the people's common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.H8199H5971H6256H7186H1697H935H4872H6996H1697H1992H819927Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.H4872H2859H7971H3212H776