INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies found here, whether book studies or topical studies, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history recorded in the Word of God and in any ancient records from many, which records support it, plus archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, nor lexicons, nor concordances, nor commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief, apostasy, and a falling away from God Himself. We do not need them. That Word of God, written and preserved for us in our own language, is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and as the New Testament was for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc.

Tyndale Bible
Coverdale Bible
Matthew's Bible
Great Bible
Geneva Bible
Bishop's Bible
King James/Authorized Bible

There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV])
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

Introduction/Start of study

Exodus Chapter 18:

(Exodus 18:1-6 [KJV])
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt; Then Jethro, Moses' father in law, took Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her back, And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land: And the name of the other was Eliezer; for the God of my father, said he, was mine help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh: 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: And he said unto Moses, I thy father in law Jethro am come unto thee, and thy wife, and her two sons with her.

This is a congratulatory, thankful, joyous heart, appreciating what God did for Israel
Being a Midianite, he and the other Midianites would not necessarily be the ones entering the land given to them by God and, certainly not as an actual Israelite, but Moses was his son in law
Zipporah and the boys were not in the battle, but sent to Jethro's house so that Moses and Israel could do battle, a military strategy which is traditional in many nations now, for generations

(Exodus 18:7 [KJV])
And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.

Respect for an elder, even one not part of the nation of Israel, because he is a relative
This is home, this tent, for now, ready to be taken down and packed to move, as they are wanderers for now, nomadically making their way over centuries to the promised land

(Exodus 18:8 [KJV])
And Moses told his father in law all that the LORD had done unto Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, and all the travail that had come upon them by the way, and how the LORD delivered them.

Rumors may have made it to Jethro's ears, may not have but, either way, the way in which God overthrew the Egyptians was quite the story to hear from a first hand account, from the leader who God used to do this
God did this for Israel's sake, and their war with the world was not over, just their captivity

(Exodus 18:9 [KJV])
And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.

This is love for the new nation, for his son in law, knowing that their was a Divine plan for God's people towards this nation
Most of the pagan nations and empires warred against one another, conquering them, being conquered, back and forth, so the defeat OF Egypt would have made other nations around Egypt rejoice at the defeat of their enemy
This was different, as it was because Jethro appreciated what the True God of Israel did for His own nation He created

(Exodus 18:10 [KJV])
And Jethro said, Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians.

The hand of the Egyptians, the hand of Pharaoh, the hand of the Egyptians, representing the world, the leader of that world, the world
"The LORD Who hath delivered you", so Jethro recognizes Who God is, who Israel now is, what God did, so it is safe to say Jethro was a saved man

(Exodus 18:11 [KJV])
Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.

This is something Jethro would not have known before he got saved, as the pagan gods are powerful to the pagan people, able to deceive
Our God is greater than all of the false gods this world has, so this was nothing for God to do from God's perspective, amazing in their eyes and ours

(Exodus 18:12 [KJV])
And Jethro, Moses' father in law, took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father in law before God.

Aaron was now not yet the priest in Israel, so Jethro in Midian, because this was no longer the gods of the Midianites, but the God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel they would be sacrificing to God as a new belliever
Add to that the breaking of bread for communion

(Exodus 19:6 [KJV])
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an ho ly nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

(Exodus 18:13 [KJV])
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.

For one to judge right and wrong, one must know right from wrong, which ONLY comes from God and His perfect law
God would have later given them the book of the law (Joshua 1:8), and today we have the whole counsel of God, but all men know that there is a right and a wrong, a God to worship, in their hearts, as created beings
To do this properly, one must not only believe in that law, but follow it as well, so as not to be a hypocrite, telling others what to do and not do, all the while doing otherwise themselves in hypocrisy

MOSES, LEADER, PROPHET, JUDGE

(Joshua 1:7-8 [KJV])
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

(Acts 20:27 [KJV])
For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

(Romans 2:15-16 [KJV])
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

(Matthew 23:1 [KJV])
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

(Matthew 23:2-3 [KJV])
Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

(Exodus 18:14 [KJV])
And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

Moses needed to delegate some duties to others, else soon he would be unable to keep up
When people see that, even in the smallest of matters they can get satisfaction before a judge, things which can be so trivial and meaningless as to waste time, they run
Over time, that judge is overwhelmed like a defeated army, exhausted
One person to do all of this was not enough now that t his was happening, as Moses, morning until evening, had no rest
They, gain, all knew right from wrong, but their opposition did not, so they brought it to Moses

(Exodus 18:15-16 [KJV])
And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

One very excellent thing seen here, lacking today in the Laodicean church we live in, is using our Sword (the statutes of God, and His laws) properly, which is all we need to tell right from wrong
Moses was up to now the go between for God to Pharaoh and God to Israel His people, so being a judge in Israel was simply part of his job

(Exodus 18:17-19 [KJV])
And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. 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:

Jethro was not being disrespectful, but loving, trying to help Moses not wear away, seeing ahead that this would be the result
Jethro and Moses both were aware that this would not stop and, when Moses got too tired, the people of Israel who wanted his help would once again begin to grumble, like when Pharaoh was upon them on one side, water of the Red Sea on the other, when the water was bitter, when there was no food, no water in the wilderness
This would cause a downward spiral and utter chaos in Israel, this fledgling nation of God's people

(Exodus 18:20 [KJV])
And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Yes, you can and will doo this judging, but....

(Exodus 18:21 [KJV])
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

but....you will need lots of help to divide and get this done thoroughly

(Exodus 18:22 [KJV])
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

A hierarchy of courts, least to greatest, with Moses over the most important (great) matters
The lower courts would take care of the rest, the small matters, which would anyways be more in number, and tiresome

(Exodus 18:23 [KJV])
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

This entire process is wisdom added to the intense desire to get a job done alone, that one cannot do alone; this wisdom from God through Jethro to Moses

(Exodus 18:24 [KJV])
So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

Moses saw the need, God allowed him to fulfill it
It is a battle between wisdom from God and the flesh which wants to do more than we can by ourselves
Gopd was going to be with Moses either way, but we are all just flesh and blood

(Exodus 18:25 [KJV])
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Like an army with different divisions to spread out, surround, conquer, so the courts and their judges, doing the same
Able then, as now, means knowing what the Word of God says about right, wrong, who is right, who is wrong, and specifically, absolutely why
Those ten commandments given in Exodus 20:1 are absolutel self evident morally as to how to treat one's neighbor, so much that, when Jesus came, He said "woe unto you, lawyers!", because they added to the Word with their laws by the hundreds

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS: ABOUT TO BE GIVEN

(Exodus 20:1 [KJV])
And God spake all these words, saying,
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Which law was later added to by man, by lawyers...

(Luke 7:30 [KJV])
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

(Luke 11:45 [KJV])
Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.

(Luke 11:46 [KJV])
And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.

(Luke 11:52 [KJV])
Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.

(Luke 14:3 [KJV])
And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

It has to be very carefully understood today that many Christians, especially in Baptist churches, use legalism to do the same exact thing to the congregations, using their own cultures and traditions as laws to bind people using guilt trips into being obedient, mindless robots who simply attend "every time the doors are open" (Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night), etc. These leaders always seem to wear a suit and tie, scream straight for an hour and pound the pulpit and call that "good teaching, Son!"....there is no difference! (Exodus 18:26 [KJV])
And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

This was God's design, His plan, not Moses's nor Aaron's, nor Israel's
All seasons, all year around, because that is when people have disputes, all seasons, every day, even to this day, even more
A small matter would be a dispute between two individuals of a clan only
A larger matter would be between an individual or clan which would affect the entire nation or a large part of it in any way and at any time

(Exodus 18:27 [KJV])
And Moses let his father in law depart; and he went his way into his own land.

"My work is done here"
Knowing, trusting Moses, he left him to his duties before God
he went back to Midian, perhaps back into trouble in the tribe, the nation, as now an outsider

Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.

Exodus Chapter 19