Bible Verses About Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Judges appointed

When Moshe's father-in-law saw all that he was doing to the people, he said, "What is this that you are doing to the people? Why do you sit there alone, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?"

Moshe answered his father-in-law, "It's because the people come to me seeking God's guidance.

Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me; I judge between one person and another, and I explain to them God's laws and teachings."

Moshe's father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing isn't good.

You will certainly wear yourself out - and not only yourself, but these people here with you as well. It's too much for you - you can't do it alone, by yourself.

So listen now to what I have to say. I will give you some advice, and God will be with you. You should represent the people before God, and you should bring their cases to God.

You should also teach them the laws and the teachings, and show them how to live their lives and what work they should do.

But you should choose from among all the people competent men who are God-fearing, honest and incorruptible to be their leaders, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Normally, they will settle the people's disputes. They should bring you the difficult cases; but ordinary matters they should decide themselves. In this way, they will make it easier for you and share the load with you.

If you do this - and God is directing you to do it - you will be able to endure; and all these people too will arrive at their destination peacefully."

Moshe paid attention to his father-in-law's counsel and did everything he said.

Moshe chose competent men from all Isra'el and made them heads over the people, in charge of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

As a general rule, they settled the people's disputes - the difficult cases they brought to Moshe, but every simple matter they decided themselves.

"At that time I told you, 'You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone.

ADONAI your God has multiplied your numbers, so that there are as many of you today as there are stars in the sky.

May ADONAI, the God of your ancestors, increase you yet a thousandfold and bless you, as he has promised you!

But you are burdensome, bothersome and quarrelsome! How can I bear it by myself alone?

Pick for yourselves from each of your tribes men who are wise, understanding and knowledgeable; and I will make them heads over you.'

"You answered me, 'What you have said would be a good thing for us to do.'

So I took the heads of your tribes, men wise and knowledgable, and made them heads over you - leaders in charge of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers, tribe by tribe.