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away," from the heaviness of the work, but the people also (18:18), since the delay
whichnecessarily ensued was most tedious, and might easily have induced them to
take justice into theirown hands. Now the advice which Jethro offered was to teach the
people "ordinances and laws,"and to "shew them the way wherein they must walk, and
the work they must do." Whateverquestions arose to which the ordinances, laws, and
directions, so taught them, would find a readyapplication, were to be considered
"small matters," which might be left for decision to subordinatejudges, whom Moses
should "provide out of all the people - able men, such as fear God, men oftruth, hating
covetousness" (ver. 21). Whatever came not within range of a mere application of
theseknown laws were "great matters," which Moses should reserve for his own
decision, or rather, "bringthe causes unto God." And this wise advice was given so
modestly and with such expressacknowledgment that it only applied "if God
command" him so, that Moses heard in it the graciousdirection of God Himself. Nor
would it be possible to imagine a more beautiful instance of the helpwhich religion
may derive from knowledge and experience, nor yet a more religious submission
ofthis world's wisdom to the service and the will of God, than in the advice which
Jethro gave, and themanner in which he expressed it. From Deuteronomy 1:12-18 we
learn that Moses carried out theplan in the same spirit in which it was proposed. The
election of the judges was made by the peoplethemselves, and their appointment was
guided, as well as their work directed, by the fear and thelove of the Lord.
(^)