In this episode we continue studying the Book of Exodus. In this episode Moses is visited by his father in law and is reunited with his wife and sons.

During his brief visit, Jethro notices the heavy work load Moses is bearing as the nations only judge.

He told him if something did not change he would wear himself out. He advised him to select and train judges to help him do the work. But the men should be required to meet 3 standards.

They must fear the Lord. They must be men of truth and they must hate covetousness.

If the men feared the Lord they would obey his commandments and avoid all manner of evil in appearance and deed.

If they were men of truth they would be free from falsehood, deceit and pretense. They would be stable men, men who were faithful and reliable, sincere and trustworthy.

The Pharisees didn’t have many positive things to say about Jesus but one thing they could not deny was that He was a man of truth.

Here’s the text:

Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

If the men Moses chose were men of truth, they would be like Christ, who did not judge by appearance but according to the word of God alone. He did not do things to impress people.

He wasn’t swayed by the opinions of men because it was God’s opinion that mattered to Him. He couldn’t be bribed to do things for money. Because He didn’t need things to find joy and contentment in life, because he found joy in doing the will of his father.

The Men had to hate covetousness. Covetousness is idolatry and leads to other types of sin.

Therefore Jesus told his disciples in Luke 12 verse 15, to beware of covetousness for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possess.

Abundance means superabound, in quantity, quality, excess, spare to excel, be better, exceed, increase, go over and above.

Covetousness is a sign of weakness and is dangerous because a person can be lured into sin and evil for the sake of gain. Justice could be derailed if the judges sought to increase their own wealth instead of being concerned about the safety and welfare of the people and the nation they served.

We note that Jesus gave a warning to the rich, those who obtained their wealth by fraud saying.

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophet.

God is not against the rich or riches. He’s against covetousness because it causes people to obtain riches by sin and oppression.

So Paul encouraged the rich in his congregation by saying, that God gives riches, so people can enjoy them.

He simply wants them to trust in God and not their wealth. Because wealth gives people a false sense of security, it’s deceitful because man controls nothing, even his next breath is in the hand of God.

So, Paul tells them to trust in God, enjoy their wealth and do good with it.

Here’s the text:


1Timothy 6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

1Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

1Timothy 6:19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

If the judges kept the three standards the nation of Israel would have a just and fair legal system.

Unfortunately, they will fall into covetousness but God will correct them and then draw them back to himself.

God is determined to have justice in the land because righteous judgment brings peace in the land and He’s a God of Peace. But sometimes he has to chastise the nation first.

Isaiah 1:23 Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

Isaiah 1:24 Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:

Isaiah 1:25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

Isaiah 1:26 And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and thy counsellors as at the beginning: afterward thou shalt be called, The city of righteousness, the faithful city.

Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.

Isaiah 1:28 And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed.