Exodus 18:21-26

Bible Text

[21] Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. [22] Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you. [23] If you will do this thing, and God commands you so, then you will be able to endure, and all of these people also will go to their place in peace." [24] So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said. [25] 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. [26] They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Egypt was the land of Israel’s former slavery, from which the Lord had recently delivered them; Midian was the region east of the Gulf of Aqaba where Moses had lived and where Jethro came from. Their journey from Egypt toward the promised land frames the need for orderly, God-fearing leadership among the growing people.

Places in this passage

Exodus 18:21-26 mentions Egypt and Midian.

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