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’.
In Deuteronomy Moses was saying the job was too big.
Back in Exodus it was Jethro who was saying it.
Then in Deuteronomy 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.
The discrepancy isn’t a huge problem for me. But in Exodus the recommendation to reorganize the judiciary came from Jethro whereas in Deuteronomy Moses takes all the credit. I wonder why Moses didn’t acknowledge Jethro.
And then the other bigger question I wonder about is: no matter who came up with the idea 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’