MOSES HAS A FAMILY REUNION
(Written by Sheila
Gail Landgraf)
Remember that Moses
had a father-in-law still living the life of a pagan priest back in
Midian? His name was Jethro. Moses had entrusted his wife and children to Jethro's keeping while he tended to the things that God had commanded him to do.
Word of mouth travels fast and Jethro heard of how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. He marveled at all the things that had happened to Moses since leaving Midian.
Word of mouth travels fast and Jethro heard of how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. He marveled at all the things that had happened to Moses since leaving Midian.
Do you remember the details of the Midianites? The Midianites
(Jethro’s people) were descendants of Abraham through his wife Keturah. They were descendants from her son
named Midian. Remember how Abraham was good to all of these sons by
Keturah? He raised them, but he did not force them to accept his culture. After they
were all grown he sent them off with their portion of the inheritance. Some
suppose this was to protect them from trying to claim any of the intended inheritance
of Isaac. If you need to refresh your memory about the marriage of Abraham to Keturah just follow this link: ABRAHAM AND KE`TURAH.
Midian was one of
these sons that Abraham “sent off” with
his inheritance when he became a man. After
he left Abraham’s home, he settled somewhere near Mount Horeb. This is the place where his descendants eventually
lived and it was Jethro’s homeland. Midian, being a son of Abraham’s concubine/wife,
would have been exposed to the knowledge of Abraham’s God, but he was also
friends with Ishmael, who would have influenced him to do things that were contrary to the ways of God. Ishmael’s influence seems to have won out
because the people living in Midian had some very pagan ways.
The fact that
Jethro was a pagan Midian priest probably meant that he would have worshiped
Baal Peor and Asherah. This would not have mattered much to Moses when he
first came to Midian; because at that time Moses had not yet experienced the burning bush and
encountered The True God. Moses knew very little of God’s ways when he
first came to Midian. On the contrary; the
pagan ways of the Egyptians that Moses had grown up with might have influenced Moses
so much that the ways of Jethro, as a Midian priest, would not have seemed
so strange.
The things we know
of this fake god called Baal Peor are really disgusting. I see no good reason to go into great detail
here; except to say I definitely understand why God would have been very angry with any worship of such a horrible fake deity. The practices of the Baal
religion were abominable. Many of the rituals involved perversions and sexual acts before the gods. The fake goddess, Asherah, was known as the
female counterpart to this gross pagan god named Baal. Her practices were
just as disgusting as his; and everything they both did (or were deemed to do - since they were not real) was terribly abominable. Asherah was said
to have worshiped Baal Peor mostly for perverted sexual reasons. She was
known as the fertility goddess of the land. The practices of the people
who worshiped these false gods were sickening and awful to imagine; yet,
Jethro, was a pagan priest of Midian; hence it is most likely that he was participating in such things, even though he was described as an honorable and
glorious man and in his position as the Priest of Midian; he was well respected.
Strange; but true.
In those days, just
as in the present days in which we live; there were cultures that had no moral compass;
and with their religious practices it seemed that “anything goes” was the main
mode of worship. They thought nothing of
things godly people of today would find terribly wrong and uncivilized. Midian was like this; but at the same time it was friendly and welcoming and peaceful; it
became the place of refuge for Moses as he ran from Egypt after he murdered the Egyptian. If you could overlook or not become involved with their religious rites; Midian was probably a peaceful and happy place in which to live. You could say the same thing about Sodom and Gomorrah too. Often the most wicked places are hidden among the most peaceful and hospitable places. That is where we need God's Holy Spirit to give us discernment and guidance. Moses did not have that luxury when he first came to live in Midian.
It is even possible that Moses could have participated in the Midian religious practices from time to time. We do not know for sure. We do know that the Egyptian culture Moses grew up in was very pagan; so these things of Midian might not have seemed so strange to him at the time. More than likely, Zipporah, the woman Jethro offered to Moses for a wife, also had pagan ways.
We are told so very little about this Midian wife of Moses.
I tend to believe that Zipporah came to know God through the stories that Moses brought home to her after his encounter with the burning bush. None of this is spelled out in the scripture exactly; but the few things that are mentioned about Zipporah suggest that she had become a child of God in spite of her pagan upbringing. If you need to refresh your memory on some of Zipporah's godly actions; reread the lesson we covered about how she circumcised the first born son of Moses: HOW ZIPPORAH CAME TO CIRCUMCISE HER FIRST BORN SON,
Zipporah was definitely a help to Moses following God and not a hindrance, as a few scholars have suggested. Her obedience at one point actually saved Moses' life. On that day she had much more spiritual discernment than Moses. I believe it happened that way because she had converted to the ways of Israel in her heart and had begun to follow God whenever Moses did. This is merely speculation on my part from the little pieces of the story that are given.
It is even possible that Moses could have participated in the Midian religious practices from time to time. We do not know for sure. We do know that the Egyptian culture Moses grew up in was very pagan; so these things of Midian might not have seemed so strange to him at the time. More than likely, Zipporah, the woman Jethro offered to Moses for a wife, also had pagan ways.
We are told so very little about this Midian wife of Moses.
I tend to believe that Zipporah came to know God through the stories that Moses brought home to her after his encounter with the burning bush. None of this is spelled out in the scripture exactly; but the few things that are mentioned about Zipporah suggest that she had become a child of God in spite of her pagan upbringing. If you need to refresh your memory on some of Zipporah's godly actions; reread the lesson we covered about how she circumcised the first born son of Moses: HOW ZIPPORAH CAME TO CIRCUMCISE HER FIRST BORN SON,
Zipporah was definitely a help to Moses following God and not a hindrance, as a few scholars have suggested. Her obedience at one point actually saved Moses' life. On that day she had much more spiritual discernment than Moses. I believe it happened that way because she had converted to the ways of Israel in her heart and had begun to follow God whenever Moses did. This is merely speculation on my part from the little pieces of the story that are given.
It is probably
shocking for anyone who has grown up hearing all of the wonderful stories of
the life of Moses to think of him ever living in this pagan lifestyle of the Midians. Yet; before Moses met God in the burning
bush; he was basically a pagan too. His
blood was Hebrew; but his training was not.
Perhaps the time he was looked after by his own mother disguised as just
another Hebrew nurse would have had an effect on Moses; and perhaps that is why he
became sympathetic to the plot of his natural family when he learned the truth
of his heritage; but, many, many years had passed and all those years were years
Moses had lived in pagan cultures. He basically
lived a pagan life for at least 80 years before he met God and began to be taught
the proper way to live directly by God. This fact alone should give hope to many living in our broken world today!
Keeping all of these things in mind; Moses probably didn’t give much thought to Jethro’s strange religious practices until he encountered The One True God.
Keeping all of these things in mind; Moses probably didn’t give much thought to Jethro’s strange religious practices until he encountered The One True God.
After God revealed
himself to Moses though; things in his life changed drastically. Jethro must have been totally confused with the new
Moses that evolved from that day forward.
Perhaps the conversion of Zipporah also confused and disappointed Jethro. What father wants his daughter to change from the way he has raised her? Who knows how many family relationships were strained after Moses began to
learn of the holiness of God and a better way to live.
These are not really
such odd circumstances. The same such
situations are actually happening all the time every where on earth. People are converted to God and they have a change of heart that produces a change in lifestyle. They are invited to bloom where they are planted. If they were converted in an evil and wicked culture; it will not go away just because God choses to bring them to a new understanding. They must continue to live and function in the old world, though their spirit has been renewed. Hence; we often find good and evil coexisting simultaneously
together; not even being bothered with each other, and carrying on their own private business in their own private ways all the time.
Even in the Christian cultures of today, there are people quietly living among us who are practicing these same disgusting, abominable religious rites and rituals which give homage to pagan gods and idols just as the Midians did. We simply never know about these people or even notice them as being different because we are not exposed to that part of their lives. They see what we believe and they do not share this with us. On the surface, these people appear to be just like the people who have chosen to follow God. They appear to be good, honest and humble. We only see their daily interactions in the world and those interactions seem just the same; good, honorable and noble. No one sees the hidden pagan practices except those who are actually participating in the rituals. That is the type of picture I first got of Jethro. He appeared to be loved and respected by all the people in every way, despite his strange pagan practices.
Even in the Christian cultures of today, there are people quietly living among us who are practicing these same disgusting, abominable religious rites and rituals which give homage to pagan gods and idols just as the Midians did. We simply never know about these people or even notice them as being different because we are not exposed to that part of their lives. They see what we believe and they do not share this with us. On the surface, these people appear to be just like the people who have chosen to follow God. They appear to be good, honest and humble. We only see their daily interactions in the world and those interactions seem just the same; good, honorable and noble. No one sees the hidden pagan practices except those who are actually participating in the rituals. That is the type of picture I first got of Jethro. He appeared to be loved and respected by all the people in every way, despite his strange pagan practices.
So we note that except
for his weird religious practices; which the culture in Midian had totally accepted as
normal; Jethro was considered to be a very sound citizen, one who was charming
and wise and loved by all of the people. He exuded humility and grace in
every other way. He was studious and often joyful and kind and loving
toward his neighbors. He seemed to be a loving and caring father. He had been very good to Moses at a time when Moses needed a friend.
Jethro had treated Moses as a beloved son; thinking he was an Egyptian who would be a good match for his daughter. Moses had a love and respect for this man; no matter his odd religious practices. Like so many times when someone converts to Christianity; those who were former friends and relatives are STILL their friends and relatives. You do not change your relationships when you become a Christian; you simply change your ways and actions within those relationships to something that is more pleasing to God. You hope your changed actions speak of your love and devotion for God to those who notice the change. You strive to live in harmony and peace with all people; especially those who have been good to you in the past.
Jethro had treated Moses as a beloved son; thinking he was an Egyptian who would be a good match for his daughter. Moses had a love and respect for this man; no matter his odd religious practices. Like so many times when someone converts to Christianity; those who were former friends and relatives are STILL their friends and relatives. You do not change your relationships when you become a Christian; you simply change your ways and actions within those relationships to something that is more pleasing to God. You hope your changed actions speak of your love and devotion for God to those who notice the change. You strive to live in harmony and peace with all people; especially those who have been good to you in the past.
This seemed to be the case with Moses and Jethro. Moses did not wish to harm or upset Jethro; yet; I’m sure as time went on Moses was becoming more and more uncomfortable with the way of life in Midian, and the fact that he had married into a family ruled over by a Midian priest. Moses seemed to be an expert in finding difficult situations in which to live his life!
Obviously, Moses eventually felt that God wanted him to leave Midian, and that had now proved out. Zipporah’s feelings are not really explained here; but I’m sure she had mixed emotions if she had grown up in the
culture of her father and had no other influences toward the ways of God. Her conversion had to be deep in order for her to blindly follow Moses from her home and the ways of her father. She must have known that she would not be able to bring up her sons in the Midian culture and still live a godly life with Moses. This was a very sharp turn in the road for her. We understand how faithful she had become when she circumcises her first born son after Moses neglected this godly act. It was this very thing that had actually caused Moses to send her and the two boys back home temporarily as he went to Egypt to deliver the people for God.
Zipporah's faith in God and her love for Moses had to be very strong and it appears that maybe she was tested by being sent back all alone into the culture that her heart had left. Perhaps God wished to see if she would remain true under all circumstances. She had the good sense to hold on to the hope of returning to Moses and becoming an Israelite herself. She remained faithful and choose to take her two sons into this new life with her. Finally the day had come. Her father was taking them to meet Moses and she must have been very grateful to God.
Zipporah's faith in God and her love for Moses had to be very strong and it appears that maybe she was tested by being sent back all alone into the culture that her heart had left. Perhaps God wished to see if she would remain true under all circumstances. She had the good sense to hold on to the hope of returning to Moses and becoming an Israelite herself. She remained faithful and choose to take her two sons into this new life with her. Finally the day had come. Her father was taking them to meet Moses and she must have been very grateful to God.
The next thing we
hear from the scriptures is the fact that they came to him when Moses was camped near The
Mountain of God (Mount Horeb.) Jethro came to see Moses by traveling through the wilderness bringing
Zipporah and Moses' two sons
Gershom and Eliezer. Jethro had sent word ahead that he was coming, and
Moses went out to meet them. This must have been quite a reunion for the little family. Jethro must have had many emotions running through his heart and his head that day. He must have realized he might never see his daughter, her husband, or his grandsons after this visit was over. It seems that in spite of all his pagan ways; Jethro was a compassionate man, putting the concern for others over his own desires.
When Moses saw his
father-in-law coming to greet him with his family in tow; he bowed down before
him and kissed him. This was a customary greeting for family in those days, probably an honorable way for a son-in-law
to act to his father-in-law. At any rate
it appeared the two men were very glad to see each other.
Soon the whole family was gathered into Moses’ tent for a happy reunion. Can’t you just imagine the dinner conversations between these two men? Moses must have vividly described the details of all that happened with Pharaoh and how God had delivered them from an impossible situation. Jethro must have taken it all in with wide-eyed astonishment.
Moses also must have shared with Jethro the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had sustained them through these troubles every time. So Jethro would have heard the stories about the Red Sea crossing, the beauty of Elim, the water that was turned from bitter to sweet at Marah, and the water from the rock at Mirabah. He would have heard how the Israelites defeated the Amalekites through the power of God. Jethro must have heard the stories of how the Israelites began to receive food called manna from heaven, and how they had learned to keep the Sabbath because of the way God had miraculously given them their daily bread. He heard of how the quail had been provided when the people complained of having no meat, and he heard of how the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Jethro must have taken all of this in with amazement. Surely none of his pagan gods had shown such wonder and might and care for his people!
Soon the whole family was gathered into Moses’ tent for a happy reunion. Can’t you just imagine the dinner conversations between these two men? Moses must have vividly described the details of all that happened with Pharaoh and how God had delivered them from an impossible situation. Jethro must have taken it all in with wide-eyed astonishment.
Moses also must have shared with Jethro the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had sustained them through these troubles every time. So Jethro would have heard the stories about the Red Sea crossing, the beauty of Elim, the water that was turned from bitter to sweet at Marah, and the water from the rock at Mirabah. He would have heard how the Israelites defeated the Amalekites through the power of God. Jethro must have heard the stories of how the Israelites began to receive food called manna from heaven, and how they had learned to keep the Sabbath because of the way God had miraculously given them their daily bread. He heard of how the quail had been provided when the people complained of having no meat, and he heard of how the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Jethro must have taken all of this in with amazement. Surely none of his pagan gods had shown such wonder and might and care for his people!
I can just imagine
Zipporah coming and going with food and water as the two old friends sat at the
table and talked just as they had done in days gone by, when Moses was a Shepherd of
Midian.
Zipporah must have been so relieved to be with her husband again, and to have her whole little family in one place under the shelter of his tent. She must have cherished seeing her husband and her father in deep conversations again. I wonder how many times Zipporah got caught in the middle of their theological disagreements?
I can visualize the two young sons of Moses playing nearby, quietly listening to the older men talk of the amazing things that God had done for all of the people of Israel. They must have missed having their father with them as much as they loved and respected their grandfather. Perhaps this was the first realization for these young sons that their father and grandfather were very different in their religious beliefs. Who do you think would carry more weight with them and their thinking as they grew older? Role models are so important in the formative years of young children.
Zipporah must have been so relieved to be with her husband again, and to have her whole little family in one place under the shelter of his tent. She must have cherished seeing her husband and her father in deep conversations again. I wonder how many times Zipporah got caught in the middle of their theological disagreements?
I can visualize the two young sons of Moses playing nearby, quietly listening to the older men talk of the amazing things that God had done for all of the people of Israel. They must have missed having their father with them as much as they loved and respected their grandfather. Perhaps this was the first realization for these young sons that their father and grandfather were very different in their religious beliefs. Who do you think would carry more weight with them and their thinking as they grew older? Role models are so important in the formative years of young children.
Jethro was
delighted with all of this amazing news that Moses was sharing! As a priest who related to many gods, (a
whole pantheon of them), his first reaction was to give praise to The Lord! This was certainly a new development! Jethro KNEW how to worship Moses' God with the same holy actions of Moses; and now Jethro seemed to understand who he should worship and thank for these miracles. His very words were “Praise be to the
LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who
rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians!"
Moses must have loved hearing such words of praise to God coming from his father-in-law.
Moses must have loved hearing such words of praise to God coming from his father-in-law.
That would not have
been so strange for Jethro to do; considering the fact that the Midians
believed in plural gods ruling the land. Perhaps he was simply adding God to his long list of other gods. This would not work though; God is a jealous God and He does not tolerate His people acknowledging other gods.
The next thing that Jethro said must have given Moses great hope. Jethro said “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” For the first time in a long time; Moses and Jethro could agree on something religious. It was a start!
I’m sure it pleased Moses to know that Jethro was finally recognizing how great the True God is. The end of the sentence speaks for itself though; that part where Jethro says that the LORD is greater than all the OTHER GODS pretty much makes it clear that Jethro still believed in MANY gods; not just the One True God. That part may have made Moses’ heart skip a beat after being so hopeful.
I’m sure Moses longed for his father-in-law to come to the saving knowledge of The One True God. Do you not have people in your life that you love very much that are too blind to see who God really is? Do you not wish with all of your heart that they would come to know the truth? We all can identify with this! We all long for our loved ones to come to know The One True God.
I'm sure that Moses and Zipporah must have prayed often for Jethro's eyes to be opened. Progress seemed to be happening with Jethro; but the task didn’t yet seem to be complete. Moses was a humble and a patient man. He simply waited on God to do His work.
Some of the old Jewish sages seem to think that Jethro had a total change of heart, that he was so moved by this new realization of God's power that he believed ONLY in God and asked to be circumcised and wanted to became a full fledged Israelite. This isn’t very likely; but we can always hope.
I tend to think that Jethro’s eyes were opened part of the way but he never fully made a full commitment to believing in only One True God. The practice of paganism is very hard to overcome. We do know that Jethro made a good appearance of worshiping as Moses did. He brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses and his father-in law in the presence of God.
If Jethro did not believe fully in the same way as Moses and Aaron; he showed no evidence of this in their presence. He respected their beliefs and acted as they did before their God. He seemed truly grateful and happy to be making these sacrifices of thanksgiving.
Maybe you know a few people who are like this. They turn to God when it is the popular thing to do. They seem sincere, but deep in their hearts they are only following the crowd and doing the popular thing. They fall away the first time that troubles come and they quickly forget the things they appeared to be thanking God for in the public worship ceremonies.
The people of God are always patient, humble and kind to such worshipers, simply trusting God to show them the rest of the truth. In turn the people of Israel, including Aaron as high priest and all the elders of the Israelites, also extended the warm hand of fellowship to Jethro. Things appeared, on the surface to be okay and in harmony. Jethro made himself at home among the tents of Moses for a time.
The scriptures do not say; and we are left to wonder if Jethro continued to do his pagan rituals while living with the Israelites. We do not know what his influence actually was with the people in the congregation. We do not know if he interjected false teachings into the lives of the men following Moses. Sometimes these things creep into a work of God, sitting silently, festering and boiling up until they become noticed one day much later. I suspect that Jethro might have swayed a few against the ways of God and toward the worship of idols. There is no scripture to back this up; it is strictly my own theory. Someone influenced the people to do wrong later in this story. It could have been a combination of factors, or it could have been the influence of Jethro who was wondering through the crowds being his charming self as Moses was tending to business. Moses was often too busy to be spending time with the family in those days. It is often in those hours when we are most distracted and busy that the devil comes tip-toeing into the camp; unseen and unnoticed. He likes to come in through the people that we love and trust; and catch us totally off guard.
The next thing that Jethro said must have given Moses great hope. Jethro said “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” For the first time in a long time; Moses and Jethro could agree on something religious. It was a start!
I’m sure it pleased Moses to know that Jethro was finally recognizing how great the True God is. The end of the sentence speaks for itself though; that part where Jethro says that the LORD is greater than all the OTHER GODS pretty much makes it clear that Jethro still believed in MANY gods; not just the One True God. That part may have made Moses’ heart skip a beat after being so hopeful.
I’m sure Moses longed for his father-in-law to come to the saving knowledge of The One True God. Do you not have people in your life that you love very much that are too blind to see who God really is? Do you not wish with all of your heart that they would come to know the truth? We all can identify with this! We all long for our loved ones to come to know The One True God.
I'm sure that Moses and Zipporah must have prayed often for Jethro's eyes to be opened. Progress seemed to be happening with Jethro; but the task didn’t yet seem to be complete. Moses was a humble and a patient man. He simply waited on God to do His work.
Some of the old Jewish sages seem to think that Jethro had a total change of heart, that he was so moved by this new realization of God's power that he believed ONLY in God and asked to be circumcised and wanted to became a full fledged Israelite. This isn’t very likely; but we can always hope.
I tend to think that Jethro’s eyes were opened part of the way but he never fully made a full commitment to believing in only One True God. The practice of paganism is very hard to overcome. We do know that Jethro made a good appearance of worshiping as Moses did. He brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses and his father-in law in the presence of God.
If Jethro did not believe fully in the same way as Moses and Aaron; he showed no evidence of this in their presence. He respected their beliefs and acted as they did before their God. He seemed truly grateful and happy to be making these sacrifices of thanksgiving.
Maybe you know a few people who are like this. They turn to God when it is the popular thing to do. They seem sincere, but deep in their hearts they are only following the crowd and doing the popular thing. They fall away the first time that troubles come and they quickly forget the things they appeared to be thanking God for in the public worship ceremonies.
The people of God are always patient, humble and kind to such worshipers, simply trusting God to show them the rest of the truth. In turn the people of Israel, including Aaron as high priest and all the elders of the Israelites, also extended the warm hand of fellowship to Jethro. Things appeared, on the surface to be okay and in harmony. Jethro made himself at home among the tents of Moses for a time.
The scriptures do not say; and we are left to wonder if Jethro continued to do his pagan rituals while living with the Israelites. We do not know what his influence actually was with the people in the congregation. We do not know if he interjected false teachings into the lives of the men following Moses. Sometimes these things creep into a work of God, sitting silently, festering and boiling up until they become noticed one day much later. I suspect that Jethro might have swayed a few against the ways of God and toward the worship of idols. There is no scripture to back this up; it is strictly my own theory. Someone influenced the people to do wrong later in this story. It could have been a combination of factors, or it could have been the influence of Jethro who was wondering through the crowds being his charming self as Moses was tending to business. Moses was often too busy to be spending time with the family in those days. It is often in those hours when we are most distracted and busy that the devil comes tip-toeing into the camp; unseen and unnoticed. He likes to come in through the people that we love and trust; and catch us totally off guard.
One day, in the usual capacity that he had been following since they left Egypt, Moses went
up to serve the people as their judge. He would sit from sunup till
sunset for several days in a row, helping the people solve and resolve their disputes in a godly way. His father-in-law observed this and noticed that it
was “all consuming” and that it was taking all of Moses’ time and energy.
I had to wonder if Zipporah had complained to her father of her husband always being so busy with tending to the people and other things besides tending to their marriage. Like any good, concerned father-in-law, Jethro inquired of Moses; asking him why he was doing this and allowing it to take up so much of his time.
Moses explained that he was simply helping the people to understand God’s will. Moses must have felt the heavy responsibility of this task and he had not taken it lightly.
Jethro criticized this practice; not that judgment wasn’t needed; but that Moses was the only one who had to preside over every single case. Jethro advised Moses to be more of a teacher, continuing to teach the people; but to select men who feared God, who were trustworthy and would not exercise dishonest gain to represent Moses as officers over the thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Jethro advised Moses to leave the minor things to these men and only have them bring the very difficult cases before Moses.
I had to wonder if Zipporah had complained to her father of her husband always being so busy with tending to the people and other things besides tending to their marriage. Like any good, concerned father-in-law, Jethro inquired of Moses; asking him why he was doing this and allowing it to take up so much of his time.
Moses explained that he was simply helping the people to understand God’s will. Moses must have felt the heavy responsibility of this task and he had not taken it lightly.
Jethro criticized this practice; not that judgment wasn’t needed; but that Moses was the only one who had to preside over every single case. Jethro advised Moses to be more of a teacher, continuing to teach the people; but to select men who feared God, who were trustworthy and would not exercise dishonest gain to represent Moses as officers over the thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Jethro advised Moses to leave the minor things to these men and only have them bring the very difficult cases before Moses.
Moses listened to
the recommendation of the older man and decided to take this advice.
