Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jethro's sharp critique, "The thing that thou doest is not good," isn't about Moses' intentions being bad, but about the method being unsustainable and ultimately harmful to both Moses and the people he's serving. It highlights that even well-meaning actions, if not wisely structured, can lead to exhaustion and ineffectiveness.
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses has been diligently sitting as a judge for the people from morning to night, a task Jethro, his father-in-law, observes with concern. Jethro asks Moses why he is handling every single matter alone, and Moses explains he's doing so to help people inquire of God and understand His laws. This leads Jethro to directly confront Moses, stating that his current method of operation is unsustainable and not good for him or the people.
Moses was doing an incredible work, guiding a nation from slavery to freedom. But his father-in-law saw a critical problem developing. Sometimes, even our best efforts can be unsustainable.
Ministry on Empty
Moses was working tirelessly, acting as judge, counselor, and spiritual guide for all of Israel. He saw his role as directly inquiring of God for the people and teaching them God's statutes and laws. This was crucial work, and his dedication was immense.
However, Jethro observed that Moses was not just working hard; he was working himself into exhaustion, and wearing out the people as well. The sheer volume of people coming to him from morning until night was unsustainable.
This isn't about Moses lacking zeal or dedication. He was doing what he believed was right. But Jethro’s counsel highlights a vital principle: there's a difference between doing good work and doing work in a good way. Overextending ourselves, even in ministry, can lead to burnout and diminish our effectiveness in the long run.
Jethro was a Midianite priest, not an Israelite. Yet, his practical wisdom offered a solution that saved Moses and the nation from collapse. Never underestimate where God might send insight.
The Gentile Counselor
Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was a foreigner. He worshiped other gods, yet he recognized the divine burden Moses carried and offered counsel rooted in practical wisdom and understanding of human limits.
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His advice was revolutionary: delegate! He proposed appointing capable, God-fearing men to handle lesser matters, reserving only the most significant cases for Moses. This wasn't about diminishing Moses' role but about creating a sustainable system.
This highlights a crucial biblical theme: God often uses unlikely people and circumstances to provide wisdom and guidance. Moses, a prophet chosen by God, was humble enough to listen to counsel from his father-in-law, demonstrating that true wisdom is teachable, regardless of its source.
Jethro didn't just point out a problem; he offered a concrete solution that transformed how Israel was led. Effective leadership requires wise organization.
The Principle of Delegation
Jethro’s core insight was about structuring the leadership to bear the load effectively. He proposed:
This wasn't just about offloading tasks; it was about creating a system that ensured justice was accessible to all, preserved Moses’ energy for critical issues, and empowered others within the community. It’s a foundational principle for any organization, church, or even family seeking to function healthily.
Jethro's practical advice highlights the need for wise organization and delegation, showing that even God's chosen leaders can become overburdened if they don't manage their responsibilities effectively.
c. 1446 BC
The Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivered the Israelites from over 400 years of slavery in Egypt under Moses' leadership. This event marked the formation of Israel as a nation.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gave the Ten Commandments and the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, establishing the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Jethro's Visit to Moses
Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, visits the Israelite camp after the Exodus and the giving of the Law. He observes Moses' overwhelming workload.
c. 1446 BC
Establishment of Judges
Following Jethro's counsel, Moses appoints able men as judges to handle smaller matters, relieving him of the burden and improving justice.
This passage shows a similar situation where the people's desire for a king leads to elders seeing the corrupting influence of their own sons, highlighting a need for proper leadership structures to avoid societal breakdown.
Proverbs 24:30-34This proverb directly critiques laziness and lack of foresight in managing one's affairs, echoing Jethro's concern that Moses's current approach is unsustainable and will lead to ruin.
Matthew 9:35-38Jesus's compassion for the crowds, seeing them as 'harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,' mirrors the overwhelming nature of the people's needs and the inadequacy of a single leader to address them all.
Acts 6:1-7This New Testament account shows the early church facing a similar organizational challenge with the daily distribution of food, leading to the appointment of deacons to handle administrative tasks so the apostles could focus on prayer and ministry of the word.
calvinExodus 18:13-27: "And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening."
And when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?
Et videns socer Mosis omnia quae faciebat ipse erga populum, dixit, Quid est quod tu facis populo? quare tu sedes solus, e…
jfbExodus 18:17: "And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good."
- Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing … is not good—not good either for Moses himself, for the maintenance of justice, or for the satisfaction and interests of the people. Jethro gave a prudent counsel as to the division of labor [Ex 18:21, 22], and universal experience in the Church and State has attested the soundness and advantages of the principle.
Jethro's sharp critique, "The thing that thou doest is not good," isn't about Moses' intentions being bad, but about the method being unsustainable and ultimately harmful to both Moses and the people he's serving. It highlights that even well-meaning actions, if not wisely structured, can lead to exhaustion and ineffectiveness.
Moses has been diligently sitting as a judge for the people from morning to night, a task Jethro, his father-in-law, observes with concern. Jethro asks Moses why he is handling every single matter alone, and Moses explains he's doing so to help people inquire of God and understand His laws. This leads Jethro to directly confront Moses, stating that his current method of operation is unsustainable and not good for him or the people.
Moses has been diligently sitting as a judge for the people from morning to night, a task Jethro, his father-in-law, observes with concern. Jethro asks Moses why he is handling every single matter alone, and Moses explains he's doing so to help people inquire of God and understand His laws. This leads Jethro to directly confront Moses, stating that his current method of operation is unsustainable and not good for him or the people.
"Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good." — Jethro's sharp critique, "The thing that thou doest is not good," isn't about Moses' intentions being bad, but about the method being unsustainable and ultimately harmful to both Moses and the pe…
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Last reviewed October 2026