Bible Commentaries
Exodus 18

Verses 1-12

Jethro Meets Moses In Exodus 18:1-12 Moses encamps at Mount Sinai, while the children of Israel are still at Rephidim. While Moses was encamped at the mountain of God, he honours Jethro, his father-in-law. Jethro offers the sacrifice and they eat together. Jethro’s visit to Moses could symbolize Jesus Christ as He offers His blood at the Father’s throne. Perhaps the fact that he went ahead of the encampment symbolizes that fact that Jesus went before us to God’s throne to offer His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. There he met his father-in-law, who made a sacrifice unto God. This may symbolize God the Father receiving Jesus’ sacrifice, which was actually a sacrifice that God gave to mankind for his salvation.

Exodus 18:1 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

Exodus 18:1 “When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law” - Comments The individual named Jethro, or Reuel, or Hobab, is the priest of Midian and the father-in-law to Moses. The Hebrew name Jethro ( יתרו ) (H3503) occurs ten times in the Old Testament Scriptures (Exodus 3:1; Exodus 4:18; Exodus 18:1-2; Exodus 18:5-6; Exodus 18:9-10; Exodus 18:12). He is also called by the name Reuel ( רעוּאל ) (H7467) (Exodus 2:18) and by the name Hobab ( חבב ) (H2246), the son of Raguel ( רעוּאל ) (H7467) (Numbers 10:29, Judges 4:11).

Exodus 2:18, “And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?”

Numbers 10:29, “And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.”

Judges 4:11, “Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.”

Josephus calls him by the name Raguel and Jethro ( Antiquities 3.3; 5.2.3).

“Now when Raguel, Moses’s father-in-law, understood in what a prosperous condition his affairs were, he willingly came to meet him” ( Antiquities 3.3)

“They also gave land for habitation to the posterity of Jethro, the Midianite, who was the father-in-law to Moses; for they had left their own country, and followed them, and accompanied them in the wilderness.” ( Antiquities 5.2.3)

Midian was the son of Abraham and Keturah (Genesis 25:1-3).

Genesis 25:1-3, “Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan…”

However, the book of Judges calls Jethro a Kenite (Judges 1:16).

Judges 1:16, “And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.”

“heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt” - Comments The news of Israel’s exodus from Egypt and deliverance through the Red Sea quickly spread throughout the region.

Exodus 18:2 Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

Exodus 18:2 Comments Scholars are in general agreement that Moses must have sent Zipporah his wife back at the beginning of their journey to Egypt when they were at the inn (Exodus 4:24-26). This was just prior to his meeting with Aaron.

Exodus 4:24-26, “And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.”

Exodus 18:3 And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:

Exodus 18:3 Word Study on “Gershom” Gesenius says the name “Gershom” ( גֵּרְשׁוֹן ) (H1648)means, “expulsion.” Strong says it means, “a refugee.” PTW says it means, “exile.” Note:

Exodus 2:22, “And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom : for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.”

Comments - Exodus 2:22 refers to the birth of Gershom, Moses' first son. It is assumed that Gershom was circumcised in Exodus 4:24-26; however, it is possible that the second son named Eliezer was the one circumcised on that day.

Exodus 4:24-26, “And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.”

Exodus 18:4 And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh:

Exodus 18:4 “And the name of the other was Eliezer” - Word Study on “Eliezer” PTW says the name “Eliezer” means, “God is help.” Note:

1 Chronicles 23:15, “The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer.”

Comments Exodus 18:4 provides the first mention of the second son of Moses named Eliezer.

Exodus 18:4 “for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh” Comments - The phrase “delivered me from sword of Pharaoh” most likely refers to the time when Moses first escaped from the hands of Pharaoh after killing an Egyptian taskmaster (Exodus 2:14-15). However, if Eliezer was born or named during Moses’ return to Egypt, the name may declare Moses’ help in God to deliver him from Pharaoh upon his return to deliver the children of Israel.

Exodus 2:14-15, “And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.”

Exodus 18:5 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:

Exodus 18:5 Comments - In Exodus 18:1-12 Moses encamps at Mount Sinai, while the children of Israel are still at Rephidim. Perhaps Moses went ahead to scout out the location where God was leading the children of Israel. We find a reference to Mount Horeb in the preceding passage (Exodus 17:6), which suggests that Moses did go ahead of the people (Exodus 17:5) to Mount Horeb, which is called the mountain of God in Exodus 3:1.

Exodus 17:6, “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”

Exodus 3:1, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”

Exodus 18:6 Comments Jethro has sent a messenger to Moses telling him of his plans to visit. They must have agreed to meet at Mount Sinai, a familiar location for both of them.

Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

Exodus 18:11 Scripture References - Note:

Exodus 12:12, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment : I am the LORD.”

Exodus 18:12 And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Exodus 18:12 “to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God” - Comments - This meal was symbolic of the Lord's Supper in the New Testament.

Verses 1-27

Exodus 15:22 - Exodus 18:27 The Journey to Mount Sinai Exodus 15:22 to Exodus 18:27 records Israel’s journey from the shores of the Red Sea to Mount Sinai. This journey contains symbolisms of the Christian’s early journey immediately after water baptism as God divinely provides for his needs, guiding him to a place of greater spiritual maturity through the knowledge of His Word.

1. Israel Encamps at Marah (Exodus 15:22-26 ) Exodus 15:22-27 records Israel’s journey immediately after their deliverance from the Egyptian army in the crossing of the Red Sea. This pericope takes the children of Israel from the shores of the Red Sea to Elim.

Israel’s first test of faith takes place at Marah, which means “bitter,” located in the Wilderness of Shur (meaning “journey”) where they become thirsty after three days of following the Lord through the wilderness. In the midst of their labours, they come to a spring of water, but find the waters bitter. Moses cuts down a tree and throws it into the water to make it sweet. The Lord then gives them a statute to obey His Word as an opportunity for them to prove their love and devotion towards Him. God had blessed the Israelites with prosperity and health as they departed Egypt. His statute promised them that if they would obey God’s Word, they would be able to walk in the blessings continually. This event could symbolize the first trial that a child of God experiences in which he must put his faith in obedience to God’s Word. Their choices would make life bitter or sweet. God gave them the choice. As God’s children, the things of this world no longer have to be bitter, for in obedience to Christ Jesus, He makes everything sweet. From the first day we believed in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, there is not a situation that we face alone. If we will seek the Lord, He will give us wisdom to deal with every difficult, bitter situation so that it becomes sweet, a blessing to us and others.

Illustration - The Lord spoke to me the night of 18-29 January 2005 and said, “The bitter and the sweet are all used by God to mould and shape your life.” This word came the same day that my sister-in-law Dyan was told by her Muslim “husband” called Nabal to leave her home and was only allowed to take one of her two children with her. It was “sweet” news for us that she has decided to leave this environment for the sake of her eternal salvation, but it is “bitter” news to know that her oldest child is being left behind. However, I know that God will work in her life in the midst of this heartache to draw her to Him and to work miracles for her as she learns to trust in Him. The following night the Lord spoke to me saying, “Be patient and you will see Me working in the midst of this situation.”

2. Israel Encamps at Elim (Exodus 15:27 ) The children of Israel found twelve springs and seventy palm trees when they encamped at Elim, which means, “trees.” In the Scriptures, trees can symbolize men, and leadership among men (Judges 9:7-15), and wells are symbolic of the anointings of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38, 2 Peter 2:17). These twelve springs may represent the twelve apostles of the Lamb and the seventy trees the first seventy disciples upon which the early Church in Jerusalem was founded in the upper room. This symbolizes the need for the new believer to join the body of Christ in order to continue his life of being refreshed by the Holy Spirit and walking in freedom and liberty from this world. It is in the local fellowship that a believer will find times of refreshing, in the midst of worship, the teaching of God’s Word, and genuine love from the brethren.

Judges 9:8, “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.”

John 7:38, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

2 Peter 2:17, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.”

However, these twelve springs and seventy trees may better represent the times of refreshing that God provides each of His children. Along our spiritual journey, the Lord leads us in paths of rest and peace, as described in Psalms 23:0. These times of refreshing follow seasons of trials.

3. Israel Encamps in the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16:1-36 ) In the wilderness of Sin, which means, “bush,” the children of Israel are given manna from Heaven and quail to eat. The manna symbolizes the daily word that God speaks to every one of His children as a part of His fellowship with them. God speaks to His children each day if he will just take the time to listen. The quail represent the stronger meat that God can give to those who are mature in Christ (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Illustration - As a young Christian in 1980, the Lord gave me a dream in which I saw an old, wooden, screen door with the familiar, metal sign “Colonial is Good Bread” fastened to the center of this door. This sign became famous because it was found on the wooden screen doors of so many country stores across the United States. The makers of Colonial Bread invested in an advertising campaign using these signs because they wanted everyone to buy a loaf of their bread when they entered the grocery store. This metal sign was not just fastened in the center of the screen door as a push plate to prevent damaging the screen; the message on this sign became embedded into the mind of every customer that entered the store to buy groceries. The Colonial Bread Company wanted everyone to partake of their bread. The unique aspect of this dream is that the metal sign on this old, wooden screen door did not read, “Colonial is Good Bread,” but rather, “The Bread of Life.” As a young Christian I interpreted this dream to mean that the Lord wanted me to open this door in my spiritual journey and partake of that bread that comes from heaven. He wanted me to read and study His Holy Word diligently, and on a daily basis.

4. The Water from the Rock (Exodus 17:1-7 ) Exodus 17:1-7 records the story of God providing the children of Israel water from the rock. During Israel’s encampment at Rephidim, which means “support,” Moses struck the rock and water poured forth to refresh the children of Israel. The striking of the rock represents the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and it symbolized the fact that God used men to crucify Jesus on the Cross (1 Corinthians 10:4). God, through man, brought about this act. God struck Jesus once for all that we might have living water. In Numbers 20:8 God told Moses to speak to the rock. When Moses struck the rock the second time out of anger (Numbers 20:11), it was a type of crucifying the Son of God a second time (Hebrews 6:6).

The water represents the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues that is available for every believer who desires more of God’s presence in his/her life. It also represents the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit that every child of God can experience by praying in tongues and worshipping the Lord (Ephesians 5:18-19). God sends His children the gift of speaking in tongues to support and strengthen the believer.

1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

Numbers 20:11, “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.”

Hebrews 6:6, “If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

Now man can speak to Jesus, call upon his name, so that we may have living water (eternal life).

Illustration - Over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays of 1986, work was slow. Therefore, I spent extra time praying. One morning the Lord as I awoke, the Lord said to me, "You will never walk in victory in your life unless you spend two hours a day praying in tongues." During this time, I had become concerned and was asking Him why my life lacked so much victory, peace and joy. So the Saturday after New Year’s day, while praying in tongues at the church altar, I was led to turn to Ephesians 6:10-18. Immediately the Lord showed me that I would never have the total, abiding victory as a Christina unless I spend time daily, constantly praying in the spirit. I began doing this two hours a day then. And a heaviness lifted and peace and joy came from within, all day long.

5. Israel’s Battle with the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16 ) Exodus 17:8-16 records the story of Israel’s first battle, which took place at their encampment of Rephidim with the Amalekites. The Lord allowed the children of Israel to be refreshed with a continual source of fresh water from the rock that Moses struck (Exodus 17:1-7) prior to their attack. The water of Marah was symbolic of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. The water from the rock struck by Moses is symbolic of the continual filling of the Holy Spirit through a lifestyle of praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).

Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

The Amalekites could symbolize the flesh or the demonic realm that comes against the children of God on their spiritual journey. The lifting up of the rod of God in the hands of Moses could represent a believer’s declaration of the name of Jesus in taking dominion over the powers of darkness. As Moses held up the rod of God, which symbolizes the authority of the name of Jesus, the enemy was defeated. God’s children must learn to use the name of Jesus when Satan attacks the body of Christ. Had Israel remained in Egyptian bondage, the Amalekites would not have attacked them. Neither would Satan attack God’s children if they would return back into the world. The Lord once spoke to a friend of mine, saying, “A king does not fight against a city he has already conquered.”

Illustration The Lord gave me a three-part dream, which opened my eyes and taught me how to exercise the authority of the name of Jesus in every area of my life. I had learned how to pray and make my requests to the Lord known using Jesus' name. Now, I was going to learn to use His name to take authority over Satan. The first part of the dream was a vision of a pastor friend of mine sitting in his house peacefully reading his Bible in a chair. I still remember how peaceful and tranquil the scene appeared. Then, the Lord spoke these words to me, "There is peace in a home when there is dominion in that home." Finally, the Lord brought the words "Luke 11:21 " to my mind. I had no idea how that verse read nor if it applied to the dream. I woke up and read this passage, "When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace." I knew immediately that this dream was from God. Through the next few months, I began to study the Bible and learn how to use the name of Jesus to set my household at peace. (4 July 1988)

6. Moses Honours Jethro (Exodus 18:1-12 ) In Exodus 18:1-12 Moses encamps at Mount Sinai, while the children of Israel are still at Rephidim. While Moses was encamped at the mountain of God, he honours Jethro, his father-in-law. Jethro offers the sacrifice and they eat together. Jethro’s visit to Moses could symbolize Jesus Christ as He offers His blood at the Father’s throne. Perhaps the fact that he went ahead of the encampment symbolizes that fact that Jesus went before us to God’s throne to offer His atoning sacrifice in our behalf. There he met his father-in-law, who made a sacrifice unto God. This may symbolize God the Father receiving Jesus’ sacrifice, which was actually a sacrifice that God gave to mankind for his salvation.

7. Jethro Advises Moses (Exodus 18:13-27 ) - Exodus 18:13-27 records the incident in which Jethro advises Moses on how to delegate judges to assist him in judging the matters of the people. After Moses honours Jethro, his father-in-law gives Moses wisdom regarding organizing leadership among the children of Israel so that all of them can receive wisdom and ministry. This event symbolizes High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, seen in Jethro’s comment to Moses, “You be for the people an advocate before God, and you bring the problems to God.” [71] (Exodus 18:19). The ordaining by Moses of leaders over the people represents church order and service. Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand to judge His church, while sending forth the Holy Spirit to anoint the five-fold ministry and give the gifts of the Spirit to the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:8-13). If a child of God will submit himself to the leadership of a local fellowship, he will be able to experience the gifts and anointings of the Holy Spirit and join in the ministry of helps.

[71] Translation by John I. Durham, Exodus, in Word Biblical Commentary: 58 Volumes on CD-Rom, vol. 3, eds. Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker (Dallas: Word Inc., 2002), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 3.0b [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2004), translation of Exodus 18:19.

8. Indoctrination (Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 24:8 ) - The next phase of a believer’s life after regeneration is called indoctrination. The giving of the Law and statutes (Exodus 20:1 to Exodus 24:8) represents this phase in the Christian life. It is important to note that God guided them to Mount Sinai and throughout their entire forty-year wilderness journey with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). This divine guidance symbolized the fact that every child of God must learn to be led by the Holy Spirit throughout his spiritual journey.

Exodus 13:21, “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:”

Motifs found within Exodus 15:22 to Exodus 18:27 - John Durham notes a number of contrasts within this passage of Scripture. (a) Israel’s Need verses God’s Abundance Supply The children of Israel entered the wilderness journey totally dependent upon God’s provision for their every need. Time and again God reveals Himself as having more than enough to supply their needs. (b) Thirst verses Abundance of Water This passage of Scripture opens with Israel in desperate need of water, only to find bitter water; and the passage closes with Israel encamped at Elim, where there was an abundance of water and trees. Understanding that God was leading them with a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22), it is easy to conclude that God was testing His children. (c) Israel’s Grumbling verses God’s Loving Patience An underlying motif found in Israel’s forty-year wilderness journey is Israel’s constant grumbling and complaining, beginning in this passage, being met with God’s continual intervention to meet their need. (d) Health verses Sickness - Another contrast is made between Israel’s promise of health and healing against the backdrop of the Ten Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 15:26). (e) Disorder verses Order The multitude of Israelites began this journey in an awkward manner, in their encampment, in their travelling, in their lifestyles, so that Moses was overwhelmed with their problems. God sends Jethro with the wisdom to begin setting their lives in order. These contrasts reveal that God was gradually guiding them into an orderly lifestyle of faith and obedience to Him, a lifestyle that would meet their daily needs. However, the multitude of the Israelites were grumbling against change because it clashed with their old habits and customs. [72]

[72] John I. Durham, Exodus, in Word Biblical Commentary: 58 Volumes on CD-Rom, vol. 3, eds. Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker (Dallas: Word Inc., 2002), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 3.0b [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2004), explanation of Exodus 5:22-27.

Verses 13-27

Jethro Advices Moses Exodus 18:13-27 records the incident in which Jethro advises Moses on how to delegate judges to assist him in judging the matters of the people. After Moses honours Jethro, his father-in-law gives Moses wisdom regarding organizing leadership among the children of Israel so that all of them can receive wisdom and ministry. This event symbolizes High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, seen in Jethro’s comment to Moses, “You be for the people an advocate before God, and you bring the problems to God.” [79] (Exodus 18:19). The ordaining by Moses of leaders over the people represents church order and service. Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand to judge His church, while sending forth the Holy Spirit to anoint the five-fold ministry and give the gifts of the Spirit to the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:8-13). If a child of God will submit himself to the leadership of a local fellowship, he will be able to experience the gifts and anointings of the Holy Spirit and join in the ministry of helps.

[79] Translation by John I. Durham, Exodus, in Word Biblical Commentary: 58 Volumes on CD-Rom, vol. 3, eds. Bruce M. Metzger, David A. Hubbard and Glenn W. Barker (Dallas: Word Inc., 2002), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 3.0b [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2004), translation of Exodus 18:19.

Paul writes to the church at Ephesus and tells them “When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” (Ephesians 4:8) Paul then lists the 5-fold ministry gifts that God gave the Church. Exodus 18:13-27 is a type and figure of God equipping the Church through the offices and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Exodus 18:19 Comments Jethro tells Moses to stand before God and bring the difficult issues that Moses could not resolve before Him. Jethro could say this because he was a priest himself ministering in behalf of his people (Exodus 2:16). Moses would teach the people the laws and statutes so that the leaders could have guidelines to follow in helping judge matters. Those matters that could not be resolved at lower levels of leadership could be brought to Moses, who could bring them before the Lord for an answer. We see a clear example of this happening in Numbers 15:32-36 when the people brought a man to Moses who had been picking up sticks on the Sabbath. The Lord spoke to Moses to have the man put to death.

Exodus 2:16, “Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.”

Exodus 18:20 And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Exodus 18:20 Comments The tribe of Levi will be called out to teach the Israelites the Mosaic law and its statutes. When these laws are understood by the people, there would be less offences and clear guidelines in resolving conflicts.

Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus 18:21 “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” - Comments Jethro told Moses to choose out men with leadership qualities. In the midst of the murmuring and complaining, there were men in the camp who feared God and were willing to walk in His statutes. Paul wrote a similar charge to Timothy to choose out men with similar qualifications for the office of a bishop (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

Exodus 18:21-22 Comments Jehoshaphat organized the nation of Judah using a similar order of judging the people (2 Chronicles 19:5-11).

Exodus 18:25 Comments - Note that Israel’s first two kings, Saul and David, will later organize the armies of Israel by these same divisions. Jesus himself, while feeding the five thousand, organized the meal by dividing people into groups of hundreds and fifties (Mark 6:40).

Mark 6:40, “And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.”

Exodus 18:26 And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Exodus 18:27 And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.