‏ Exodus 18

* Jethro brings to Moses his wife and two sons. (1-6) Moses

entertains Jethro. (7-12) Jethro's counsel to Moses. (13-27)

1-6 Jethro came to rejoice with Moses in the happiness of

Israel, and to bring his wife and children to him. Moses must

have his family with him, that while he ruled the church of God,

he might set a good example in family government, #1Ti 3:5|. 7-12 Conversation concerning God's wondrous works is good, and

edifies. Jethro not only rejoiced in the honour done to his

son-in-law, but in all the goodness done to Israel. Standers-by

were more affected with the favours God had showed to Israel,

than many were who received them. Jethro gave the glory to

Israel's God. Whatever we have the joy of, God must have the

praise. They joined in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mutual

friendship is sanctified by joint worship. It is very good for

relations and friends to join in the spiritual sacrifice of

prayer and praise, as those that meet in Christ. This was a

temperate feast; they did eat bread, manna. Jethro must see and

taste that bread from heaven, and though a gentile, is welcome:

the gentiles are welcomed to Christ the Bread of life. 13-27 Here is the great zeal and the toil of Moses as a

magistrate. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the

house of bondage, he is a further type of Christ, that he is

employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. If the people

were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with God, no

doubt Moses had many causes brought before him. This business

Moses was called to; it appears that he did it with great care

and kindness. The meanest Israelite was welcome to bring his

cause before him. Moses kept to his business from morning to

night. Jethro thought it was too much for him to undertake

alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome

to the people. There may be over-doing even in well-doing.

Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither content

ourselves with less than our duty, nor task ourselves beyond our

strength. Jethro advised Moses to a better plan. Great men

should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to

make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the

persons admitted into such a trust. They should be men of good

sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted

by frowns or clamours, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men

of piety and religion; such as fear God, who dare not to do a

base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The

fear of God will best fortify a man against temptations to

injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not

wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled.