As we continue from last week, God deserves our praise. This is outlined in (Ex 18:1-12).
After reading about the trials, complaints, its relief to move into a chapter describing a camp that has fellowship and community business. We see here that praise is a good antidote for a complaining spirit.
In Yetro’s message (vv 1-6), we read about Moshe’s father-in-law in 2:11-22, but his presence here raises two questions: (1) How did Yethro hear about the works of God in Egypt? and (2) When did Moshe’s wife and two sons return home?
After the exodus we read Moshe sent a messenger to Yethro asking him to bring Zipporah and the two boys and meet him at Sinai.
Yethro’s arrival (vv 7-8). In the East family members and community greet one another when they meet (Lk 10:4). Hospitality is the first law of the East, hence Moshe invited Yethro and the reat of the visitors to join him in his tent. Moshe gave details to Yethro about what the Lord had done.
Yethro’s worship (vv 9-12). Like Melchizedek (Gen 14:17-24), Yethro was a Gentile priest (Ex 2:16). He said that Egyptians suffered loss because they had “treated Israel arrogantly” (Ex 18:11). (Mal 1:11) For from farthest east to farthest west my name is great among the nations … says ADONAI-Tzva’ot.
Tasks (vv 13-16). The nation had elders (v 13; 4:29), but they weren’t assisting Moshe in daily affairs. There were basic regulations for the management of the camp (Ex 18:16). The phrase “statutes and laws” can refer to God’s will in general as well as to specific ordinances from the Lord. God blessed Abraham for obeying His commandments, statutes and laws, long before the Law was given. (Gen 26:5).
Judicial codes are necessary for oder and security in society. Later the priests would assist in this task (Mal 2:4-7); but the priesthood had not yet been established. From the time of Ezra 7:10), the scribes became the students and interpreteres of the Law.
A danger (vv 17-18). Moshe’s leadership was crucial for the success of the community. Any activity that drained his energy or wasted his time would hold consequences not only to those close to him but to the nation. Yethro shows compassion to his son-in-law. He also didn’t want to see Zipporah become a widow and his two grandsons fatherless. Moshe had confessed that the burden was too much for him to contemplate alone (Num 11:14).
Easier קלל qalal, in (Ex 18:22) means “to take cargo from a ship”. That will make your load lighter. In the shadow meaning, easier can mean, to treat with contempt, bring contempt or dishonour.
vv 19-27 are suggestions. Assisted chosen rulers could help make wise decisions. Moshe was to be an interceder, seeking God’s direction in difficult cases. Yethro urged Moshe to talk to God. In matters of organisation and management, but people can practice policies and principles making sure that all is in agreement with scripture. (James 3:13-18). An important aspects in delegating responsibilites is that leaders have the ability and character, men of truth. (Ex 18:21; Acts 6:1-7). These assistants had to have good reputations, be full of the Spirit and Wisdom, and approved by the people.
According to Dt 1:9-18, Moshe admitted his own weaknesses and weariness. When Israel moved into the Promised Land, they appointed officers in each town to assist in the settling of cases, gatekeepers (Ex 16:18-20). These men were to make listen and make advise wise decisions.
How often today some people do not have a teachable heart to be advised of matters of wisdom. Of course we have to discern the principle behind any practice. Self defeating organisations and individuals embalm their own structure of thinking and refuse to change, even to their own detriment. Then, that injures or causes damage; mischief; harm; diminution; loss; damage; used very generically, one will keep going around that mountain again, and wonder why there is no advancement.
There is a lesson in every statement one makes, just as there are spirits behind every disappointment, being let down, betrayal, deceit, manipulation, coercion, doubt and any emotional strongholds, and of course there are also enabling and enforcing spirits behind them as well. One has to realign emotions, security and thought patterns to be align with God. One has to be refreshed with the Living Water and not be spiritually enadequate to handle what is assigned to God’s Kingdom.