Exodus 18:26 Study Bible: They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

◄ Exodus 18:26 ►

And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

Study Bible

And they judged
The Hebrew root for "judged" is שָׁפַט (shaphat), which means to govern, to vindicate, or to pass sentence. This word indicates a role of authority and responsibility. In the context of ancient Israel, judges were not only legal arbiters but also leaders who guided the people according to God's laws. This reflects the importance of justice and order in a society that seeks to live under divine guidance.

the people
The term "people" here refers to the Israelites, God's chosen nation. Historically, the Israelites were a large community that had recently been liberated from Egyptian bondage. This phrase underscores the communal aspect of their identity, emphasizing that the judicial system was meant to serve the entire community, ensuring fairness and righteousness among God's covenant people.

at all times
This phrase suggests a continuous and consistent process. The judges were available to the people whenever needed, indicating a system that was both accessible and reliable. This reflects the biblical principle of justice being an ongoing, ever-present necessity in the life of a community, ensuring that disputes are resolved promptly and fairly.

they would bring
The act of bringing cases to Moses signifies a structured hierarchy within the judicial system. The Hebrew verb here implies a deliberate action, showing that there was a clear process for escalating cases. This structure ensured that Moses, as the leader appointed by God, could focus on the most challenging issues, while still being accessible to the people.

the difficult cases
"Difficult cases" refers to matters that were too complex or significant for the appointed judges to handle. This highlights the wisdom in delegating authority while recognizing the need for experienced leadership in more challenging situations. It underscores the biblical principle of seeking wise counsel and the importance of discernment in leadership.

to Moses
Moses, as the central figure in this narrative, was chosen by God to lead the Israelites. His role as the ultimate judge in difficult cases underscores his unique relationship with God and his responsibility to guide the people according to divine will. This reflects the biblical theme of God appointing leaders to shepherd His people.

but any minor dispute
The phrase "minor dispute" indicates that not all issues required Moses' direct involvement. This distinction between major and minor cases shows the practical wisdom in managing a large community. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship, where leaders are entrusted with responsibilities according to their abilities and the needs of the community.

they would judge themselves
This phrase emphasizes the empowerment and responsibility given to the appointed judges. It reflects a system where leaders are trusted to make decisions within their scope of authority. This delegation of authority is a biblical model for leadership, promoting efficiency and accountability within the community. It also highlights the importance of trust and competence in those who are given the responsibility to lead.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The central figure in the Book of Exodus, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this context, he is the primary judge and leader of the people.

2. Jethro
Moses' father-in-law, who advised Moses to delegate the task of judging the people to capable men to prevent burnout and inefficiency.

3. Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness, learning to live under God's law and leadership.

4. Judges
Appointed leaders among the Israelites who were tasked with handling minor disputes, allowing Moses to focus on more significant issues.

5. Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land, a place of testing, learning, and growth in their relationship with God.

Teaching Points

Delegation and Leadership
Effective leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and empowering others to share responsibilities. This prevents burnout and ensures that all matters are addressed efficiently.

Wisdom in Judgment
The appointed judges needed wisdom and discernment to handle disputes. This highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in decision-making.

Community and Accountability
The structure of shared leadership fosters a sense of community and accountability. It encourages participation and responsibility among all members.

Prioritizing Responsibilities
Leaders must prioritize their responsibilities, focusing on tasks that align with their calling and gifting, while entrusting others with appropriate duties.

Learning from Elders
Jethro's advice to Moses underscores the value of learning from those with more experience and wisdom, reminding us to remain teachable and open to counsel.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the delegation of responsibilities in Exodus 18:26 reflect God's design for leadership within the community of believers?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of shared leadership in our church or community today?

3. How does the appointment of judges in Exodus 18:26 compare to the appointment of deacons in Acts 6:1-7, and what can we learn from both examples?

4. What qualities should we look for in individuals who are appointed to positions of leadership and judgment within the church?

5. How can we ensure that we are open to receiving wise counsel from others, as Moses was from Jethro, in our personal and spiritual lives?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 1:9-18
This passage recounts Moses' retelling of the appointment of judges, emphasizing the importance of shared leadership and the burden of leadership.

Acts 6:1-7
The early church faced a similar situation where the apostles appointed deacons to handle practical matters, allowing them to focus on prayer and ministry of the word.

1 Corinthians 6:1-6
Paul advises the Corinthian church to appoint wise individuals to judge disputes among believers, reflecting the principle of resolving issues within the community.

Sermons

Jethro's Advice	D. Young	Exodus 18:13-26
Good Counsel Well Taken	J. Urquhart	Exodus 18:13-27
The Appointment of Judges	J. Orr	Exodus 18:13-27
The Economy of Force	H.T. Robjohns	Exodus 18:17-27

People

Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, Zipporah

Places

Egypt, Midian, Rephidim

Topics

Bring, Cases, Causes, Decided, Decisions, Difficult, Dispute, Judge, Judged, Judges, Matter, Matters, Minor, Ones, Point, Questions, Seasons, Simple, Themselves

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Exodus 18:13-26

     5054   responsibility, examples
     5358   judges
     8438   giving, of time

Exodus 18:14-27

5685 fathers, responsibilities

Exodus 18:21-26

7719 elders, as leaders

Exodus 18:25-26

5270 court

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 Scripture

Gershom 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 18:26 NIV
Exodus 18:26 NLT
Exodus 18:26 ESV
Exodus 18:26 NASB
Exodus 18:26 KJV

Exodus 18:26 Commentaries

Bible Hub