Furthermore, select capable men from among the people--God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—This directive comes from Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, who advises Moses on how to manage the burden of leadership. The selection of "capable men" emphasizes the need for individuals with the necessary skills and wisdom to lead effectively. This principle of selecting qualified leaders is echoed in the New Testament, such as in Acts 6:3, where the apostles instruct the early church to choose men full of the Spirit and wisdom to oversee certain tasks. God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain.
The criteria for leadership include being "God-fearing," which implies a reverence and respect for God's laws and commands. Trustworthiness is crucial for maintaining integrity and justice. Being "averse to dishonest gain" highlights the importance of leaders who are not swayed by corruption or personal profit, aligning with the biblical principle found in 1 Timothy 3:3, where church leaders are advised to be free from the love of money. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.
This structure of leadership introduces a hierarchical system that allows for efficient governance and delegation. It reflects an organized approach to leadership that can be seen in other parts of the Bible, such as the division of labor among the Levites in Numbers 3. This system also prefigures the organizational structure of the early church, where different roles and responsibilities were assigned to ensure effective ministry and care for the community. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He is the central figure in this passage, receiving advice from his father-in-law. 2. JethroMoses' father-in-law, a priest of Midian, who provides wise counsel to Moses on how to manage the leadership of the Israelites effectively. 3. IsraelitesThe people of God, who have been delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness, requiring governance and leadership. 4. MidianThe region where Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, comes from. It is significant as a place of refuge and counsel for Moses. 5. Leaders of Thousands, Hundreds, Fifties, and TensThe structure of leadership that Jethro advises Moses to establish, emphasizing a hierarchical and organized system of governance. Teaching Points The Importance of DelegationEffective leadership involves recognizing the need to delegate responsibilities to capable individuals. This prevents burnout and ensures that the needs of the community are met efficiently. Qualities of a LeaderLeaders should be God-fearing, trustworthy, and have integrity. These qualities ensure that they lead with wisdom and justice, avoiding corruption and self-interest. Structured LeadershipA well-organized leadership structure is crucial for managing large groups. It allows for better communication, accountability, and decision-making. Godly CounselSeeking and heeding wise counsel from others, especially those with spiritual insight, is vital for making sound decisions. Community InvolvementThe selection of leaders from among the people emphasizes the importance of community involvement and recognition of leadership potential within the group. Bible Study Questions 1. What are the key qualities that Jethro advises Moses to look for in leaders, and how can these qualities be applied in our leadership roles today? 2. How does the principle of delegation in Exodus 18:21 help prevent burnout in leadership, and what are some practical ways we can implement this in our personal and professional lives? 3. In what ways does the structure of leadership in Exodus 18:21 reflect God's order and design, and how can this be seen in other areas of life or scripture? 4. How can we ensure that the leaders we choose or follow are God-fearing and trustworthy, and what steps can we take to cultivate these qualities in ourselves? 5. Reflect on a time when you sought or received wise counsel. How did it impact your decision-making, and what can you learn from that experience in light of Exodus 18:21? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 1:13This passage reiterates the importance of choosing wise, understanding, and respected men to lead, echoing the criteria set in Exodus 18:21. Acts 6:3In the New Testament, the early church follows a similar principle by selecting men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom, to serve, showing the continuity of this leadership model. 1 Timothy 3:1-7Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers in the church, which align with the qualities mentioned in Exodus 18:21, such as being trustworthy and above reproach. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eliezer, Gershom, Jethro, Moses, Pharaoh, ZipporahPlaces Egypt, Midian, RephidimTopics TRUE, Able, Appoint, Bribe, Capable, Captains, Chiefs, Choose, Covetousness, Dishonest, Fear, Fearing, Fifties, Furthermore, Gain, Hast, Hate, Hating, Heads, Hundreds, Leaders, Moreover, Officials, Placed, Profits, Provide, Rest, Rulers, Select, Tens, Thousands, Trustworthy, Truth, Unjust, WronglyDictionary of Bible Themes Exodus 18:21 1655 hundreds and thousands
5465 profit
5875 hatred
6135 coveting, and sin
8251 faithfulness, to God
8275 honesty
8337 reverence, and behaviour
8354 trustworthiness Exodus 18:13-24 5636 work, and rest Exodus 18:13-26 5054 responsibility, examples
5358 judges
8438 giving, of time Exodus 18:14-27 5685 fathers, responsibilities Exodus 18:17-23 5582 tiredness Exodus 18:17-24 5779 advice Exodus 18:20-23 5489 rank Exodus 18:21-26 7719 elders, as leaders Library The Ideal Statesman [Footnote: Preached on Occasion of Mr. Gladstone's Death. ]
'Thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them.'--EXODUS xviii. 21. You will have anticipated my purpose in selecting this text. I should be doing violence to your feelings and mine if I made no reference to the event which has united the Empire and the world in one sentiment. The great tree has fallen, and the crash has for the moment silenced all the sounds of the forest. Wars abroad and controversies at home are …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureGershom and Eliezer
'The name of the one [of Moses' sons] was Gershom ... and the name of the other was Eliezer....'--EXODUS xviii. 3, 4. In old times parents often used to give expression to their hopes or their emotions in the names of their children. Very clearly that was the case in Moses' naming of his two sons, who seem to have been the whole of his family. The significance of each name is appended to it in the text. The explanation of the first is, 'For he said, I have been an alien in a strange land'; and that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Origin and Growth of Law.
MOSES' WORK AS JUDGE AND PROPHET.--Ex. 18; 1-27; 33:5-11. Parallel References. Hist. Bible I, 198-203. Prin. of Politics, Ch. VI. Maine, Ancient Law. Jehovah spake to Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend--Ex. 33: 11. 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. And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard cases they brought unto Moses, but every small …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
[Sidenote: First the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon of the New Testament had remained open as long as did that of the Old, there is little doubt that it also would have contained many laws, legal precedents, and ecclesiastical histories. From the writings of the Church Fathers and the records of the Catholic Church it is possible to conjecture what these in general would have been. The early history of Christianity illustrates the universal fact that the broad principles are …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament That the Ruler Relax not his Care for the Things that are Within in his Occupation among the Things that are Without, nor Neglect to Provide
The ruler should not relax his care for the things that are within in his occupation among the things that are without, nor neglect to provide for the things that are without in his solicitude for the things that are within; lest either, given up to the things that are without, he fall away from his inmost concerns, or, occupied only with the things that are within bestow not on his neighbours outside himself what he owes them. For it is often the case that some, as if forgetting that they have …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Opposition to Messiah Ruinous
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel T here is a species of the sublime in writing, which seems peculiar to the Scripture, and of which, properly, no subjects but those of divine revelation are capable, With us, things inconsiderable in themselves are elevated by splendid images, which give them an apparent importance beyond what they can justly claim. Thus the poet, when describing a battle among bees, by a judicious selection of epithets …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Easter Tuesday
Second Sermon. Same Text. Acts 13, 26-39. THE WORD AND THE RESURRECTION.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon appeared first in the Church Postil, the Explanation of the Epistle and Gospel Texts from Easter to Advent. Printed by Hans Lufft, Wittenberg, 1559.] 1. This sermon was preached by Paul in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisidia, where were gathered with the Jews some Greek converts. Wherever in a city Jews were to be found, there also were their synagogues in which they taught and preached; and many …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II After the Scripture.
"In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God created He him."--Gen. v. 1. In the preceding pages we have shown that the translation, "in Our image," actually means, "after Our image." To make anything in an image is no language; it is unthinkable, logically untrue. We now proceed to show how it should be translated, and give our reason for it. We begin with citing some passages from the Old Testament in which occurs the preposition "B" which, in Gen. i. 27, stands before image, where …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
ONLY those who have made study of it can have any idea how large, and sometimes bewildering, is the literature on the subject of Jewish Proselytes and their Baptism. Our present remarks will be confined to the Baptism of Proselytes. 1. Generally, as regards proselytes (Gerim) we have to distinguish between the Ger ha-Shaar (proselyte of the gate) and Ger Toshabh (sojourner,' settled among Israel), and again the Ger hatstsedeq (proselyte of righteousness) and Ger habberith (proselyte of the covenant). …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Exodus
The book of Exodus--so named in the Greek version from the march of Israel out of Egypt--opens upon a scene of oppression very different from the prosperity and triumph in which Genesis had closed. Israel is being cruelly crushed by the new dynasty which has arisen in Egypt (i.) and the story of the book is the story of her redemption. Ultimately it is Israel's God that is her redeemer, but He operates largely by human means; and the first step is the preparation of a deliverer, Moses, whose parentage, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Exodus 18:21 NIVExodus 18:21 NLTExodus 18:21 ESVExodus 18:21 NASBExodus 18:21 KJV
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