圣经And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard all that God had done for Moses and his people Israel, which the Lord had brought out of Egypt,
So he took Moses’ wife Zipporah, whom Moses had previously sent back,
And he took two sons of Zipporah, one named Gershom, because Moses said, I have become a stranger in a foreign land,
A man named Eliezer said, ‘My father’s God has helped me and saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.’.
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro brought Moses’ wife and two sons to the mountain of God, where Moses camped in the wilderness.
He said to Moses, “I am your father-in-law Jethro, who came to you with your wife and two sons.”.
Moses welcomed his father-in-law, bowed to him, kissed him, and greeted each other, and they all entered the tent.
Moses recounted to his father-in-law all the things that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for the sake of Israel, as well as all the difficulties encountered on the way, and how the Lord had saved them.
Jethro rejoiced greatly in all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, which was to save them from the hands of the Egyptians.
Jethro said, Blessed be the Lord, who has saved you from the hands of the Egyptians and Pharaoh, and has rescued this people from their hands.
I have learned that the Lord is greater than all gods in the arrogance of the Egyptians towards this people.
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came and ate with Moses’ father-in-law before God.
The next day, Moses sat and judged the people, and the people stood by Moses from morning till night.
Moses’ father-in-law saw all the things he had done to the people and said, “What have you done to the people?”? Why are you sitting alone, with all the people standing by your side from morning till night?
Moses said to his father-in-law, ‘This is because the people have come to me to inquire about God.’.
When they have matters, they come to me, and I judge between the two gods. I also make them aware of God’s laws and decrees.
Moses’ father-in-law said, ‘What you have done is not good.’.
You and these people will be exhausted, because this matter is too heavy for you to handle alone.
Now you have to listen to me. I have an idea for you, may God be with you. You must go before God on behalf of the people and report the case to God,
Teach them the laws and decrees, and teach them the way to do and the things to do,
And he shall select talented people from among the people, who fear God, are honest and without deceit, and hate unjust wealth, and appoint them as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens to govern the people,
Tell them to judge the people at any time, and bring great things to you. They can judge small things themselves. In this way, you can be more frugal and they can also take on the same role.
If you do this, and God also commands you, you will be able to endure it, and all this people will return to their place of residence in peace.
So Moses obeyed his father-in-law and did as he said.
Moses selected talented people from among the Israelites and appointed them as leaders of the people, commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
They judge the people at any time, and bring difficult cases to Moses, but they judge every small matter themselves.
Afterwards, Moses let his father-in-law go, and he went to his own land.
