Daily Bible Study

Tweet

Day 66 – Advocate Exodus 18:1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that Elohiym did for Moses and for Israel His people—that JEHOVAH had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, 3 with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) 4 and the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, “The Elohiym of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); 5 and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he encamped at the mountain of Elohiym. 6 He had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. They asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law all that JEHOVAH did to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how JEHOVAH had delivered them. 9 Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which JEHOVAH did for Israel, whom He delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10 Jethro said, “Blessed be JEHOVAH, who delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that JEHOVAH is greater than all the elohiym; for in the thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to Elohiym. Aaron came with the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before Elohiym. 13 So it happened, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15 Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 "When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of Elohiym and His laws.” 17 Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing you do is not good. 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19 Listen to my voice; I will give you counsel, and Elohiym will be with you: stand before Elohiym for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to Elohiym. 20 You will teach them the statutes and the laws and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover, you will select from the people able men, such as fear Elohiym, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 Let them always judge the people. Then it will be that every great matter they will bring to you, but every small matter they themselves will judge. It will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this thing, and Elohiym so commands you, then you can endure, and these people will also go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses heeded 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 always judged the people; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land. God’s name: Elohiym – Mighty God JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal God’s character: Counselor Advocate People often seek the advice of lawyers to counsel them on estate matters, matters of the law, and when they need a defense attorney to advocate for them. Governments set up a court system to take care of all matters great and small from lower court systems to the Supreme Court where a panel of judges presides over cases turned over to them from the lower court. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, arrived and saw he stood alone before the people judging every matter, Jethro told Moses he couldn’t handle every matter alone, but should appoint able people to help him, those who reverenced Elohiym, and let them judge the smaller matters. When they couldn’t judge the matter; he told Moses to make the decision according to Elohiym’s law. Moses listened to his father-in-law and did what he recommended. Many Christians find they need a lawyer to advocate for them. When they do, they seek judges who understand Elohiym’s law and the law of the land. They trust JEHOVAH to weigh the matter and guide them in the right decision. In criminal matters, they don’t often choose their lawyer, then they need to trust JEHOVAH to advocate for them. When you put everything in Elohiym’s hands, Elohiym will advocate for you, and bring about the right decision. Let’s pray: Father, help me seek Your counsel when I need an advocate in matters of the law. Let Your counsel shine through the lawyer You choose for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 24 March 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.