Exodus 18:13-26 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:20

Thou shalt teach them ordinances - חקים chukkim , all such precepts as relate to the ceremonies of religion and political economy. And laws, התורת hattoroth , the instructions relative to the whole system of morality. And shalt show them the way - הדרך אה eth hadderech , That very Way, that only way, which God himself has revealed, and in which they should walk in order to please him, and get their souls everlastingly saved. And the work that they must do - For it was not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

Able men - Persons of wisdom, discernment, judgment, prudence, and fortitude; for who can be a ruler without these qualifications? Such as fear God - Who are truly religious, without which they will feel little concerned either for the bodies or souls of the people. Men of truth - Honest and true in their own hearts and lives; speaking the truth, and judging according to the truth. Hating covetousness - Doing all for God's sake, and love to man; laboring to promote the general good;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee - Though the measure was obviously of the utmost importance, and plainly recommended itself by its expediency and necessity; yet Jethro very modestly leaves it to the wisdom of Moses to choose or reject it; and, knowing that in all things his relative was now acting under the immediate direction of God, intimates that no measure can be safely adopted without a positive injunction from God himself. As the counsel was doubtless inspired by the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:13

Verse 13 13.And it came to pass. A memorable circumstance, and one well worth knowing, is here introduced. In that form of government over which God presided, and which He honored with extraordinary manifestations of His glory, there was something deserving of reprehension, which Jethro corrected; and again, Moses himself, the mighty Prophet, and with whom alone God was thus familiar, was deservedly reproved for inconsiderately wearing away both himself and the people by excessive labor. It was... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:15

Verse 15 15.And Moses said unto his father-in-law. Moses replies ingenuously, as if on a very praiseworthy matter, like one unconscious of any fault; for he declared himself to be the minister of God, and the organ of His Spirit. Nor, indeed, could his faithfulness and integrity be called in question. He only erred in overwhelming himself with too much labor, and not considering himself privately, nor all the rest publicly. Yet a useful lesson may be gathered from his words. He says that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:17

Verse 17 17.And Moses’ father-in-law said. He does not absolutely condemn the whole system which Moses had before adopted, after the manner of morose, or froward, or ambitious men who, by carping at some trifle, obscure the noble deeds of others; but by seeking only to correct a part of it, he detracts not from the just praise of Moses, and leaves the power which God had conferred upon him untouched. Herein his moderation is worth observing, for he does not abuse this pretext of a particular... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:19

Verse 19 19.I will give thee counsel. Jethro dares, indeed, to promise success, if Moses will obey his counsel; yet does he not proudly boast that this will be the fruit of his own prudence, but ascribes it to God’s blessing and grace, if he prospers even when nothing is established but on the best system. For this is the import of the expression, that a counsel occurs to him, which if Moses follows, God shall bless him. Nor yet does he reprove Moses, as if God had not been thus far with his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

Verse 21 21.Moreover, thou shalt (199) provide out of all the people Literally so, “thou shalt provide;” meaning, thou shalt choose out, and take the most worthy, so that such an office be not entrusted rashly to any one that offers. But this was most reasonable, among a free people, that the judges should not be chosen for their wealth or rank, but for their superiority in virtue. Yet although it be right that regard should be chiefly had to virtue, so that if any one of the lower orders be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

Verse 23 23.If thou shalt do this thing. What immediately follows, “and God command thee so,” may be taken in connection with the beginning of the verse, as if, in self-correction, Jethro made the limitation, that he did not wish his counsel to be obeyed, unless God should approve of it. Others extend it more widely, that if Moses followed God’s commands in all things, this moderation of his duties would be useful. However you take it, Jethro declares that he would have nothing conceded to him,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:24

Verse 24 24.So Moses hearkened. Here is a. remarkable instance of modesty, that Moses is not indisposed to submit himself to the counsel of his father-in-law. For although Jethro was his superior in age and in degree of affinity, in other respects he was far inferior to him. This yielding, then, of Moses to his authority, lays down a rule for all the greatest and most excellent Doctors, that they should not refuse lo receive the admonitions of those whom they admit to teach rightly, although... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:24

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