Week 7 Deuteronomy 1
In the book of Deuteronomy Moses is reminiscing about the past 40 years and right away I notice one of the things he says: at that time I said to you, ‘I am not able to bear you by myself’.
I don’t think I’d have noticed the comment except that a couple of weeks ago I’d read in Exodus about Jethro. He told Moses: the thing (being a judge to Israel) is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone’.
So in Deuteronomy Moses was saying the job was too big.
In Exodus it was Jethro who was saying it.
So because of the size of the job Moses said: I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: commanders for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes.
But back in Exodus it was Jethro’s recommendation: you should select from all the people able men, God-fearing, trustworthy, and hating dishonest profit. Place them over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
So in Deuteronomy Moses said that he reorganized the judiciary.
In Exodus it was Jethro’s recommendation.
It isn’t a huge problem for me but I wonder why Moses didn’t credit Jethro with the idea.
And like I wondered before: why didn’t Moses consult with the Lord first?
Note: quotes from Deuteronomy 1:9 12 15 Exodus 18:18 21 (ESV or CSB). See January 26/25 ‘Jethro’