Moses’ father-in-law then said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.
Parallel translations
- WEB Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
- KJV And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
- BSB But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
- NKJV So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good.
- NLT “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jethro told Moses plainly that what he was doing was not good. Honest counsel addressed an unsustainable practice.
Overview
Jethro's candid assessment shows wisdom and care, naming the problem without flattery. His willingness to correct even the great leader Moses reflects godly counsel offered for the good of all. This moment commends the value of receiving wise advice and humility in leadership.
Cross-references & the web
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Christ at the center
The Passover lamb whose blood turns away death, the exodus through the sea, the manna, the rock, and the tabernacle where God dwells with his people all foreshadow Jesus — our Passover, our redemption, the bread from heaven, and God-with-us in the flesh.
How Exodus 18:17 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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