Hi Pastor John,
I was reading this section of Exodus 18 to see if God or Jethro told Moses to appoint men to help him judge Israel.
- Then Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
- You will certainly wear out, both you and this people who are with you, because this thing is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone.
- Listen now to my voice. Let me advise you, and may God be with you. You must remain before God for the people, and bring their cases to God.
- And you teach them the statutes and laws and make known to them the way they are to live and the thing they must do,
- But you look for able men who fear God among the people, trustworthy men who hate a bribe, and set over them rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
- And let them judge the people at all times, and it will be that they will bring every great matter to you, but every lesser matter, they will themselves judge. So, make it easier on yourself, and let them bear the burdenwith you.
- If you will do this thing, and God command it you, then you will be able to continue, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”
- And Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and he did everything that he had said.
In verse 23, Jethro says “if God commands you”. Then, verse 24 says Moses “hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law,” but it does not say he sought God or that God thought it good. So, did the elders that began as helpers for Moses eventually become the Pharisees?
Beth D
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Hi, Beth.
Moses’ helpers in Exodus 18 pre-dated the Pharisees by about a thousand years, so, they did not become the Pharisees. And as for who told Moses to appoint helpers, I feel sure that God approved of Jethro’s suggestion for Moses to do so, for Moses really did need the help.
Remember, Jethro was a Midianite, and the Midianites were the smartest people in the Old Testament. So, his suggestion was a very good one.
Thanks for the question.
Pastor John