Verses 1–6
Jethro came to rejoice with Moses in the happiness of Israel, and to bring his wife and children
to him. Moses must have his family with him, that while he ruled the church of God, he might set
a good example in family government, 1Ti 3:5.
Verses 7–12
Conversation concerning God's wondrous works is good, and edifies. Jethro not only rejoiced
in the honour done to his son-in-law, but in all the goodness done to Israel. Standers-by were more
affected with the favours God had showed to Israel, than many were who received them. Jethro
gave the glory to Israel's God. Whatever we have the joy of, God must have the praise. They joined
in a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mutual friendship is sanctified by joint worship. It is very good for
relations and friends to join in the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, as those that meet in
Christ. This was a temperate feast; they did eat bread, manna. Jethro must see and taste that bread
from heaven, and though a gentile, is welcome: the gentiles are welcomed to Christ the Bread of
life.
Verses 13–27
Here is the great zeal and the toil of Moses as a magistrate. Having been employed to redeem
Israel out of the house of bondage, he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver
and a judge among them. If the people were as quarrelsome one with another as they were with
God, no doubt Moses had many causes brought before him. This business Moses was called to; it
appears that he did it with great care and kindness. The meanest Israelite was welcome to bring his
cause before him. Moses kept to his business from morning to night. Jethro thought it was too much
for him to undertake alone; also it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people.
There may be over-doing even in well-doing. Wisdom is profitable to direct, that we may neither
content ourselves with less than our duty, nor task ourselves beyond our strength. Jethro advised
Moses to a better plan. Great men should not only study to be useful themselves, but contrive to
make others useful. Care must be taken in the choice of the persons admitted into such a trust. They
should be men of good sense, that understood business, and that would not be daunted by frowns
or clamours, but abhorred the thought of a bribe. Men of piety and religion; such as fear God, who
dare not to do a base thing, though they could do it secretly and securely. The fear of God will best
fortify a man against temptations to injustice. Moses did not despise this advice. Those are not
wise, who think themselves too wise to be counselled.
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline