Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him.
Parallel translations
- WEB Listen now to my voice. I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You represent the people before God, and bring the causes to God.
- KJV Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
- NKJV Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.
- NASB Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God,
- NLT Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.
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 advises Moses to keep representing the people before God and bringing their cases to him. Moses should retain the role of mediator and intercessor.
Overview
Jethro affirms Moses' essential calling to stand between God and the people, bringing their matters before the Lord. This God-given mediatorial role must continue even as other duties are delegated. Moses' representing the people before God beautifully foreshadows Christ's high-priestly intercession on behalf of his own.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Num 27:5So Moses brought their case before the LORD,
- Deut 5:5At that time I was standing between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and would not go up the mountain. And He said:
- Gen 39:2And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
- Exod 3:12“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”
- Exod 20:19“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”
- Deut 20:1When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you.
- Exod 18:24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
- Matt 28:20and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Josh 1:9Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Prov 9:9Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning.
- Exod 18:15“Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied.
- Exod 4:12Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.”
- Exod 4:16He will speak to the people for you. He will be your spokesman, and it will be as if you were God to him.
- 2 Sam 14:17And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”
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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 18:19 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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