Exodus 18:19
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Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This chapter is concerning Moses himself, and the affairs of his own family. I. Jethro his father-in-law brings to him his wife and children (Exo 18:1-6). II. Moses entertains his father-in-law with great respect (Exo 18:7), with good discourse (Exo 18:8-11), with a sacrifice and a feast (Exo 18:12). III. Jethro advises him about the management of his business as a judge in Israel, to take inferior judges in to his assistance (Exo 18:13-23), and Moses, after some time, takes his counsel (Exo 18:24-26), and so they part (Exo 18:27).
Open source ↗18:19-22 Moses needed to distinguish between his teaching function, in which he received and declared God’s decrees and instructions (18:19-20), and his administrative function, in which he applied all of those decrees and instructions (18:21-22).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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So Moses brought their case before the LORD,
At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:
“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”
Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.