And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.
Moses was both lawgiver and judge, a type of Christ Himself. He sat composed and weighed each case, explaining God's statutes faithfully to people who came seeking His mind on hard matters. Happy were they to have such a certain oracle; we often wish for the same.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 18:13-27
If thou shall do this thing,.... Hearken to the advice given, and put it in execution, by choosing out of the people, and placing over them, judges qualified, as directed: and God command thee so; for he did not desire him to follow his advice any further than it appeared to be according to the will of God, which he doubted not he would inquire...
Moses decided cases by God's ordinances, making His laws known through every judgment. Jethro saw the plan wearing both Moses and the people to nothing: the people grew weary waiting, began taking justice into their own hands, and the burden on Moses alone was unsustainable.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 18:13-23