Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, and how the Lord had brought them out of Egypt. He took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, along with their two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.

Moses said to Jethro, "I named one son Gershom because I have lived as a foreigner in a strange land; the other is Eliezer, for my father's God was my help and delivered me from Pharaoh's sword." Jethro came with his sons and wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was camped at the mountain of God.

Moses' father-in-law Jethro had come to visit, bringing Moses' wife and their two sons. Moses went out to meet Jethro, bowed down before him, kissed him in greeting, and they asked each other about their well-being before entering the tent. Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians on behalf of Israel, including all the hardships they had faced along the way, and how the Lord had delivered them.

Jethro rejoiced at all the good the Lord had done for Israel, delivering them from the Egyptians. "Blessed be the Lord," he said, "who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and Pharaoh, and who has freed the people from their oppressive rule." Jethro added, "The Lord is greater than all gods, for in their arrogant dealings he has proven himself superior to them."

Jethro took a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; Aaron came, along with all the elders of Israel, to share a meal with Moses' father-in-law in God's presence. On the next day, Moses sat to judge the people, and they stood by him from morning until evening.

When Jethro saw this, he said to Moses, "What is this thing you're doing for them? Why are you sitting alone while they stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses explained, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between one person and another, making them know God's laws and statutes."

But Jethro advised, "What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear away, both you and this people with you, because this task is too heavy for you to perform alone." He offered counsel: "Listen now to my voice, and I will give you advice that God may be with you; represent the people before God, bringing their causes to Him."

Moses was instructed to teach them God's laws and regulations, showing them the path they must follow and the work they are to do. Jethro also suggested appointing able men from among all the people who fear God, are truthful, and despise greed; placing such leaders over them to oversee thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

These leaders would judge the people at all times: bringing major cases to Moses but handling minor ones themselves. Jethro believed this would be easier for Moses and allow the people to share the burden with him. If he followed this plan and God commanded it of him, then Moses could endure, and all this people would also go to their place in peace.

Moses listened carefully to his father-in-law's advice and did everything he suggested. He selected capable men from all Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people, overseeing groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They judged the people at all times, bringing complex cases to Moses but handling minor matters themselves.

Moses allowed Jethro to depart, and he returned to his own land.