"Because the people come to me to inquire of God," Moses replied. Because the people come to meThis phrase highlights Moses' role as a mediator between God and the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, the word for "come" (בּוֹא, bo) implies an intentional approach or movement towards someone with a purpose. Historically, Moses was seen as a leader and judge, a role that required him to be accessible to the people. This reflects the communal nature of the Israelite society, where leaders were expected to be approachable and serve the needs of the community. Moses' leadership is a precursor to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who intercedes on behalf of humanity. to inquire of God
The Hebrew word for "inquire" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) means to seek, require, or consult. This indicates that the people sought divine guidance and wisdom through Moses. In the ancient Near Eastern context, seeking divine will was a common practice, but for the Israelites, it was a unique covenantal relationship with Yahweh. This phrase underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in all matters, a principle that remains central in Christian life today. It also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of seeking God's will through prayer and scripture, emphasizing a personal relationship with God. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. He serves as a judge and mediator between God and the people. 2. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and observes his leadership over the Israelites. His observations lead to a significant conversation about leadership and delegation. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God who have been delivered from Egypt and are now in the wilderness. They come to Moses to seek God's guidance and judgments. 4. The WildernessThe setting of this event, where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land. It is a place of testing, learning, and revelation. 5. Inquiring of GodThe act of seeking divine guidance and wisdom, which Moses facilitates for the people. This reflects the Israelites' dependence on God for direction. Teaching Points The Burden of LeadershipLeadership can be overwhelming when one person tries to handle everything alone. Moses' experience teaches the importance of recognizing one's limits and seeking help. The Role of a MediatorMoses acts as a mediator between God and the people, pointing to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who intercedes on our behalf. The Importance of Seeking GodThe Israelites' desire to inquire of God highlights the necessity of seeking divine wisdom in our decisions and challenges. Delegation and Shared ResponsibilityEffective leadership involves empowering others to share in responsibilities, as seen in Moses' eventual delegation of duties. Community and AccountabilityThe community of believers is called to support one another, holding each other accountable and sharing burdens, reflecting the body of Christ. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people foreshadow the role of Jesus Christ in the New Testament? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of delegation in our personal and professional lives to avoid burnout? 3. How does the act of "inquiring of God" in this passage encourage us to seek God's guidance in our daily decisions? 4. What lessons can we learn from Jethro's advice to Moses about leadership and the importance of listening to wise counsel? 5. How can the church today implement the principles of shared leadership and responsibility seen in Exodus 18 and Acts 6? Connections to Other Scriptures Numbers 11This passage also deals with Moses' leadership burden and God's provision of helpers, showing a consistent theme of shared leadership. Deuteronomy 1Moses recounts the appointment of leaders to help him judge the people, emphasizing the importance of delegation and shared responsibility. Acts 6The early church appoints deacons to assist the apostles, paralleling the need for shared leadership and delegation seen in Moses' account. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Directions, Enquire, Father-in-law, God's, Inquire, Law, SeekDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:13-16 5897 judging others Exodus 18:13-24 5636 work, and rest Exodus 18:13-26 5054 responsibility, examples
5358 judges
8438 giving, of time Exodus 18:14-27 5685 fathers, responsibilities Exodus 18:15-16 1175 God, will of Library The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]
'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 18:15 NIVExodus 18:15 NLTExodus 18:15 ESVExodus 18:15 NASBExodus 18:15 KJV
Exodus 18:15 Commentaries
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