Exodus 18

Jethro Visits Moses

1 Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law and priest of Midian, heard about everything God did for Moses and the Israelites, how He brought them out of Egypt.

2 So Jethro came to visit Moses, bringing Moses’ wife, Zipporah, back with him.

3 She had been sent home along with her two sons. The first son’s name was Gershom, because Moses had said, ‘I have been a stranger in a foreign land.’

4 The second son’s name was Eliezer, because Moses said, ‘The God of my ancestors was my helper; He saved me from Pharaoh’s sword.’

5 So Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought Zipporah and the kids to meet Moses in the wilderness where they were camped at Mount Sinai.

6 He sent word ahead: ‘Listen Moses, it is Jethro, your father-in-law. I am bringing your wife and kids to you.’

7 Moses rolled out to meet him, bowed, and showed respect. Then they caught up, asking about each other’s well-being, and went inside the tent.

Moses Tells Jethro About God’s Power

8 Moses told Jethro everything the Lord did to Pharaoh and the Egyptians to save Israel. He also told him about the struggles in the wilderness and how the Lord kept coming through for them.

9 Jethro was hyped when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel, saving them from Egypt.

10 He said, ‘Bless the Lord! He saved you all from Pharaoh and Egypt!’

11 ‘Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods because He handled the Egyptians when they tried to flex on His people.’

12 Then Jethro brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God. Aaron and all the elders of Israel came through to eat with him in God’s presence.

Jethro Sees Moses Working Too Hard

13 The next day, Moses sat down to judge the people, and they stood around waiting all day.

14 When Jethro saw all this, he said, ‘Bruh, what are you doing, Why are you sitting alone while all these people stand around waiting on you from morning till night,’

15 Moses said, ‘The people come to me when they got problems.’

16 ‘Whenever they got disputes, they come to me, and I tell them God’s laws and instructions.’

17 But Jethro said, ‘This is it not, fam. This is too much for you to handle alone.’

18 ‘You are going to burn yourself out! This is too heavy for you to carry by yourself.’

Jethro Gives Moses Leadership Advice

19 ‘Listen to me, and let me give you some advice. May God be with you. You represent the people before God and bring their issues to Him.’

20 ‘Teach them God’s laws and how He wants them to live.’

21 ‘But find some capable, God-fearing men, honest dudes who do not take bribes. Put them in charge as leaders over groups of a thousand, a hundred, fifty, and ten.’

22 ‘Let them handle the everyday disputes, but bring the major cases to you. This will make your job easier because they will help carry the load.’

23 ‘If you do this and God approves, you will be able to last, and the people will go home satisfied.’

Moses Follows Jethro’s Advice

24 Moses listened to Jethro and did everything he said.

25 He picked capable men from all over Israel and made them leaders over groups of a thousand, a hundred, fifty, and ten.

26 They judged the people’s cases, handling the small stuff themselves and bringing the big issues to Moses.

Jethro Goes Back Home

27 After that, Jethro said his goodbyes and went back to his own land.