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Exodus 18:24

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So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

So Moses {H4872} hearkened {H8085} to the voice {H6963} of his father in law {H2859}, and did {H6213} all that he had said {H559}.

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

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.

Commentary

Exodus 18:24 describes Moses' humble and wise response to the counsel of his father-in-law, Jethro, indicating his acceptance and implementation of the advice given for managing the Israelite community.

Context

This verse is situated during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, shortly after their miraculous deliverance from Egypt and arrival at Mount Sinai. Moses, as God's chosen leader, was burdened with the immense task of judging all disputes among the people from morning till evening. His father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest, observed this unsustainable workload upon his visit. In Exodus 18:17-23, Jethro wisely advised Moses to delegate judicial responsibilities, appointing capable men as "rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." Moses would retain the role of bringing the "hard causes" to God, but smaller matters would be handled by others, thus lightening his load and providing more accessible justice for the people. Verse 24 confirms Moses' immediate and complete obedience to this practical, divinely-inspired counsel.

Key Themes

  • Humility in Leadership: Moses, despite his unique relationship with God and his immense authority, demonstrates profound humility by hearkening to the advice of his father-in-law. This shows that true leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and being open to wise counsel, regardless of its source.
  • The Importance of Delegation: The passage powerfully illustrates the necessity of delegating tasks and empowering others, especially in large-scale endeavors. Moses' willingness to distribute responsibility not only prevented his own burnout but also established a more efficient and just system for the entire community. This principle is vital for sustainable leadership and organizational health.
  • Wise Counsel and Discernment: Jethro's advice was not merely practical; it was presented as a way for Moses to "endure" and for "all this people... to go to their place in peace." Moses' acceptance of this counsel highlights the value of seeking and applying wisdom for the benefit of all.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "hearkened to the voice" translates the Hebrew verb shama (שָׁמַע), which means not just to hear, but to listen attentively, understand, and, most importantly, to obey. Moses didn't just passively hear Jethro's words; he actively processed and acted upon them, demonstrating a deep respect for the wisdom offered and a genuine desire for the well-being of the people.

Practical Application

Exodus 18:24 offers timeless lessons for leaders in any sphere—family, church, business, or community. It underscores that:

  • Even the most capable leaders need to recognize their limits and avoid trying to do everything themselves.
  • Seeking and accepting wise counsel from trusted advisors is a mark of strength, not weakness.
  • Delegation is crucial for efficiency, sustainability, and empowering others. By distributing responsibilities, leaders can foster growth and provide opportunities for others to serve and develop. This principle is further elaborated upon in the New Testament regarding the early church's organization, such as the appointment of deacons in Acts 6:3-4.
  • Implementing sound advice leads to positive outcomes for both the leader and those being led. Moses' immediate action led to the establishment of a structured judicial system, detailed in Exodus 18:25-26, which greatly benefited the Israelite nation.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 18:19 (2 votes)

    Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

  • 1 Corinthians 12:21 (2 votes)

    And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

  • Ezra 10:2 (2 votes)

    And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, [one] of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

  • Proverbs 1:5 (2 votes)

    A wise [man] will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

  • Ezra 10:5 (2 votes)

    Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

  • Exodus 18:2 (2 votes)

    Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back,

  • Exodus 18:5 (2 votes)

    And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God: