The Father-In-Law's Advice (Exodus 18:13-27)

13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. [If Moses is giving most of his time to judging disputes, serving as the only judge, what are the consequences?] 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” [Most likely, Jethro acted as a judge himself with his people. He brings his experience and advice to Moses.] 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God [“to seek the will of God because I am a prophet who stands in the council of God”]; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you [as the method you use results in frustration and exhaustion]. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe [these are the qualifications for judges, not hereditary roles], and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. [These same numbers are used to organize the people for war and probably should not be taken literally but as a way of organization.] 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you [as you act as the supreme court], but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” [As a new worshiper of God, Jethro ventures to formulate a plan he thinks Moses should bring to God for consideration to help the greater community and Moses himself.]

24 So Moses listened to 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, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country. [Why did Jethro not continue with Moses and the Israelites? Does God have a plan in this move?]