Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, traveled from his home area to bring his daughter Zipporah and her two sons back to Moses. After a joyful meeting, Moses told Jethro all that God had done to Egypt’s pharaoh and for Israel. Jethro praised God and recognized that He was above all other gods.

When Jethro saw all the judicial work Moses had to do every day, he realized that the effort was too much for one man. Moses sat before the people and settled disputes all day, every day but the Sabbath.

Jethro told him he should appoint leaders over groups for one thousand, one hundred, fifity, and ten. Further, Moses should continue to teach the pople the laws of God, but let the leaders settle all but the most important disputes which Moese would handle. These new leaders, Jethro said, should be men “such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.”

Moses immediately acted on Jethro’s advice.

This wise change of procedure was only possible because Moses and Jethro had a long realtionship of trust and respect. When Moses returned to Egypt to lead Israel out, it seems he sent Zipporah and his sons to Jethro for safekeeping, showing that Moses and Jetrho already trusted each other. Jethro showed himself worthy of that trust when he brought them back safely.

After God, family and friends are our greatest help.

EXODUS 18:17- And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.