Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you. Have them judgeThe Hebrew root for "judge" is "שָׁפַט" (shaphat), which means to govern, to vindicate, or to pass sentence. This word is foundational in understanding the role of leaders in Israelite society. The act of judging was not merely about legal decisions but involved guiding the community in righteousness and justice. Historically, this reflects the need for a structured system of governance, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership and accountability. the people
The term "people" in Hebrew is "עַם" (am), referring to the collective community of Israelites. This highlights the communal aspect of Israelite society, where the well-being of the group was paramount. The people were not just individuals but a covenant community bound by their relationship with God and each other. This communal identity is central to understanding the social and religious fabric of ancient Israel. at all times
The phrase "at all times" underscores the continuous and consistent nature of justice. It implies that the administration of justice is not a sporadic or occasional duty but a constant responsibility. This reflects the biblical principle that justice is a perpetual requirement, aligning with God's character as a just and righteous judge. Have them bring every major case to you
The distinction between "major" and "minor" cases suggests a tiered system of justice. The Hebrew word for "major" is "גָּדוֹל" (gadol), meaning great or significant. This indicates that Moses was to handle the more complex and significant matters, ensuring that the most challenging issues were addressed with wisdom and divine guidance. This system reflects the practical need for delegation and the recognition of varying levels of authority and responsibility. but let them decide every minor case for themselves
The word "minor" in Hebrew is "קָטָן" (qatan), meaning small or insignificant. This delegation of minor cases to other leaders illustrates the principle of shared leadership and empowerment. It acknowledges the capability of others to handle less complex matters, promoting efficiency and preventing burnout. This approach is a model of wise leadership, emphasizing trust and the development of others' leadership skills. In this way lighten your load
The phrase "lighten your load" speaks to the practical wisdom of delegation. The Hebrew root "קָלַל" (qalal) means to make light or to alleviate. This reflects the understanding that leadership is not meant to be a solitary burden. By sharing responsibilities, leaders can focus on their primary duties and maintain their effectiveness. This principle is timeless, offering guidance for leaders in any context. and they will bear it with you
The concept of "bearing" in Hebrew is "נָשָׂא" (nasa), meaning to lift, carry, or support. This conveys the idea of shared responsibility and mutual support within the community. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership in leadership, where the burdens of leadership are distributed among many, ensuring sustainability and resilience. This principle is a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity and cooperation. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He is the central figure in this passage, receiving advice from his father-in-law. 2. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who provides wise counsel to Moses on how to manage the burden of leadership. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, who are in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt. They are the ones being judged and led by Moses. 4. JudgesAppointed leaders among the Israelites who are tasked with handling minor disputes, allowing Moses to focus on more significant issues. 5. WildernessThe setting where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land, a place of testing and reliance on God. Teaching Points The Wisdom of DelegationJethro's advice to Moses underscores the importance of delegation in leadership. Leaders should not bear the burden alone but should empower others to share in the responsibilities. Shared ResponsibilityBy appointing judges, Moses lightened his load, which is a practical example of shared responsibility. This principle can be applied in various contexts, including church leadership, family, and work environments. Empowering OthersDelegation is not just about reducing workload but also about empowering others to grow and serve. It allows others to use their gifts and develop their leadership skills. Listening to Wise CounselMoses' willingness to listen to Jethro's advice demonstrates humility and openness to wisdom from others, even those outside the immediate community of faith. Sustainable LeadershipEffective leadership involves creating systems that are sustainable and prevent burnout. This passage teaches the importance of creating structures that support long-term success. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the principle of delegation in Exodus 18:22 apply to your current responsibilities at work, home, or church? 2. In what ways can you identify and empower others around you to share in responsibilities, as Moses did with the judges? 3. Reflect on a time when you received wise counsel from someone. How did it impact your decision-making and leadership? 4. How can the model of shared responsibility seen in Exodus 18:22 be applied to modern church leadership and ministry? 5. Consider the role of humility in leadership. How does Moses' example of listening to Jethro challenge or encourage you in your leadership style? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 1:9-18This passage recounts Moses' implementation of Jethro's advice, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership and delegation. Acts 6:1-7The early church faced a similar situation where the apostles delegated responsibilities to others (the first deacons) to focus on prayer and ministry of the word. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27Paul speaks about the body of Christ and the distribution of gifts, highlighting the importance of each member playing a role in the community. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics Bear, Borne, Bring, Burden, Case, Cases, Causes, Decide, Decisions, Difficult, Dispute, Easier, Important, Judge, Judged, Judges, Less, Lighten, Lighter, Load, Major, Matter, Minor, Pass, Questions, Seasons, Share, Simple, Task, Themselves, Thyself, WeightDictionary of Bible Themes 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 18:17-23 5582 tiredness Exodus 18:17-24 5779 advice Exodus 18:20-23 5489 rank Exodus 18:21-26 7719 elders, as leaders 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 18:22 NIVExodus 18:22 NLTExodus 18:22 ESVExodus 18:22 NASBExodus 18:22 KJV
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