Westminster Annotations, Exodus · Chapter 18
CHAP. XVIII.
Vers. 1. PRiest of Midian] See Annot. on Chap. 2. 16.
V. 2. sent her back] It seemeth by this place he sent her backe (for a time) to her father, and it is like (at that time) when she was so impatient of the circumcision of her sonne, Chap. 4. vers. 25. that she might not (through feare or griefe, for his dangerous opposition to Pharaoh) either withdraw him from his dutie, or (by her discontent and murmuring) make him lesse chearfull in performance thereof.
V. 3. Gershom] See Annot. on Chap. 2. vers. 22.
V. 4. Eliezer] That is, my God is an helpe.
V. 5. mount of God] That is Horeb, so called, because God wrought many miracles in it. So Peter calleth the Mount where Christ was transfigured, the holy Mount: for by Christs presence it was holy for a time, 2 Pet. 1. 18. See Annot. on Chap. 3. vers. 5.
V. 6. And he said] By messengers sent from Jethro to Moses, for yet they were not come together, vers. 7.
V. 7. meet] Act. 28. 15.
did obeisance] 1 King. 2. 19.
kissed] See Annot. on Gen. 29. 11.
welfare] Heb. peace. It is very usuall in Scripture, to comprehend all manner of welfare by the name of Peace, even the prosperitie of warre (2 Sam. 11. 7. text and marg.) is so called: and (on the contrary) all woe may be comprehended in the name of warre.
V. 8. come upon them] Heb. found them.
V. 10. Blessed be the Lord] By this it appeareth, that Jethro worshipped the true God, and therefore Moses might (the rather) marry his daughter; and it is like that (by Moses) he was further instructed in the true Religion; yet his next words, v. 11. note either some misunderstanding, or a weake apprehension of the true God.
V. 11. * Now I know] Jethro was a descendant from Abraham; who was his great grand-father, by Midian (who was one of Abrahams sonnes by Keturah, Gen. 25. 2.) from whom his Progenitors received the Religion of Abraham, though the further from the father of the faithfull, the more they degenerated from the faith, and a true worship of God: and so were (by this time) tainted with Idolatry: but after Moses his marriage with his daughter, and living with him fourtie yeares, especially, upon the report of the prodigies, and miracles (which God had wrought for the deliverance of his people by the ministerie of Moses) Jethro his knowledge of the true God was much increased: so that now he knew God more clearly, and fully then before: whereupon he forsooke his former false gods, and betook him to the service of the onelyonly true God, wherein it seemeth his posteritie persevered, Jer. 35. who descended from him, 1 Chron. 2. 55. as did the Kenites, Jugd. 1. 16.
* Gen. 22. 12. 1 King. 17, 18. 24.
for the thing] Chap. 10. 16.. 22. & 5. 7. & 14. 18.
V. 12. * before God] That is, in that place, or neare it, where the sacrifice was offered, for part was burnt, and the rest eaten, and that (sometimes) not farre from the Altar. See Annot. in Exod. 5. 1.
* Deut 12. 7. & Chap. 27. 7. Psal. 11. 6.
V. 16. between one another] Heb. a man and his fellow.
V. 18. wilt surely weare away] Heb. fading thou shalt fade.
Not able] Deut. 1. 9. 12.
V. 19. to Godward] Judge thou in hard causes, which cannot be decided, but by consulting with God.
V. 20. teach them ordinances] He was to mediate with God both wayes, as an Advocate of the people to God, and as an Ambassadour, or Interpreter, from God to the people.
V. 21. * able men] What manner of men should be chosen, to beare Office: See Annot. in Gen. 47. 6.
* Deut. 1. 13. 1 Chron. 26. 6.
feare God] 2 Sam. 23. 3. 2 Chron. 19. 9. Nehem. 2. 7.
hating covetousnesse] Deut. 16. 19. Isa. 33. 15. Pro. 28. 16.
V. 22. at all seasons] Vers. 26. Esa. 16. 5.
V. 23. and God command thee so] Or if thou doe this, thou shalt fulfill the commandement of the Lord. Though he gave him good counsell, he would not have him further to follow it, then God would be pleased to approve of it, as he did, Num. 11. vers. 16, 17.
V. 24. so Moses hearkened] He did not thinke himselfe too good, to be advised by a man farre inferiour to himselfe, both in pietie, prudence, and acceptation with God: But why did not so wise a man as Moses, thinke of such a course himselfe? or why did not God himselfe give him that advice? Answer. It may be Moses expected Gods direction for some course in such affaires, and that he would have him take it from Jethro for the exercise of his humilitie, (as though he miraculously called Saul, Act. 9. he sent him to Ananias to be instructed) and withall to shew him, that divine revelation doth not exclude the giving, or receiving of humane counsell, when it is according to the rule of reason, and prudence.
V. 25. Moses chose able] As Moses was to ease himselfe, by the subordinate service of other officers: so for the choyce of those officers, he had the peoples assistance, and consent, Deut. 1. 13, 14. The like election was made of the seven Deacons for the furtherance of the Apostles in their function, Act. 6. vers. 2, 3, 4, 5.